OUR STORY
GRASSROOTS ORIGINS
We have endured through the decades thanks to the vision of the many community volunteers who have dedicated their time to advancing our mission. In 2015, the Society relocated to the historic A.R. Davey General Merchandise building in the heart of downtown Naknek. This new home has transformed the museum’s presence in the community, offering greater visibility and creating powerful interpretive experiences. Exhibits are now displayed within a historic structure that embodies the very stories we seek to preserve—stories of Indigenous lifeways, maritime heritage, and the early industries that shaped Bristol Bay.
Built in the 1930s by Albert R. Davey as an addition to an earlier home constructed by settler John Stenvall, the building served many roles in Naknek’s early years. It operated simultaneously as a general store, post office, jail, meat shop, liquor store, fur trading post, and residence—a testament to the multifunctional needs of a growing year-round village shaped by the nearby Naknek Packing Company cannery. Its false-front facade echoed the architecture of early Alaskan boomtowns, offering the illusion of permanence and stability during the rise of the commercial salmon industry. The building is believed to be the first non-cannery commercial structure in Naknek and was a vital gathering point for the community.
The building’s location, adjacent to the Russian Orthodox Mission Reserve and near the site of the Naknek Packing Company, places it at the intersection of cultural, economic, and environmental histories. During the fur trapping boom of the 1920s–1940s, Indigenous and immigrant trappers returned from Katmai and Brooks Lake to trade furs at the Davey store, reinforcing Naknek’s role as a regional hub. Today, the structure not only houses the Bristol Bay Historical Society Museum—it stands as a living artifact in its own right. Its walls hold the memory of a multicultural community that continues to thrive, and its presence anchors our commitment to preserving and sharing Bristol Bay’s enduring legacy.
Click this button to view our 2024 Annual Report to get an in depth introduction about the exiting progress we have been making to advance the organization.
NEW MISSION
BEYOND BRISTOL BAY
In 2025, the Bristol Bay Historical Society is embarking on a vital task to redefine our mission and clarify our role in the public sphere. This effort will emphasize the importance of amplifying Indigenous and maritime heritage voices to inform the public about their role in shaping the history and ongoing legacy of our watershed. By embracing our role as a cultural resource manager, the Society aims to effectively communicate the value of our collection as an archive of historical materials that reflects the significance of Bristol Bay’s contributions to the fishing industry and the cultural landscape of the Pacific Northwest.
The Society’s collections include artifacts that illuminate the multicultural influences spurred by the social and economic impacts of the migrations of the Native peoples that fled from the Bow & Arrow wars, the establishment of the Russian Greek Mission, and the influx of fishermen who participated in the burgeoning salmon canning industry. By sharpening the Society’s role in safeguarding and interpreting these materials, the Society will foster a deeper understanding of the interplay between Indigenous lifeways and maritime industries and serve as an archive for academic inquiry and public education. Prioritizing the preservation and interpretation of these collections ensures their stories continue to inform scholars, students, and the public.
A revised mission will elevate the Society’s impact to ensure our collections serve as dynamic tools for learning and public engagement. This approach will empower future generations to appreciate and advocate for the preservation of Bristol Bay’s unique history. By adopting this new mission, we will cultivate partnerships with tradition bearers, scholars, and educators while attracting funding relationships to preserve Bristol Bay’s heritage and share our stories through transformative educational programs. These efforts will enable the Bristol Bay Historical Society to honor the past, engage the present, and build a more inclusive and sustainable future for its vital collections.
New Mission Under Consideration:
To collect, preserve, research, and share educational experiences of the Indigenous cultural lifeways and maritime heritage of Bristol Bay.