Have you ever wondered how massive sternwheelers were able to navigate through the Yukon River’s Five Finger Rapids? Or how bush pilots were able to heat their engine oil in -40℃?
People in the north have always been industrious, innovative and capable, and we’re proud to tell their tales at the Yukon Transportation Museum.
YTM shares glimpses and glimmers of the Yukon’s character through the stories of people moving themselves, their possessions, and their ideas around the vast landscape and harsh scenery of the north. Our collection includes retired modes of transportation (Canadian Pacific Airlines DC-3 Wind Vane or the LCC-1 LeTourneau Sno-Train), miniature displays, art exhibits and a treasure trove of photographs, artifacts and tall tales.
We also host periodic live events and community programs throughout the year, as well as curate the ever-popular Mile 917 Gift Shop, stocked with unique souvenirs, local artisan goods and educational toys.
Discover the rich traditions of the Indigenous people that shaped transportation in this territory, marvel at the construction of the world-famous Alaska Highway and soar with early bush pilots through crisp (and sometimes harrowing!) skies. The Yukon Transportation Museum will guide you through this incredible territory and illustrate how and why we have been moving over this land for thousands of years.
Come for a visit – YTM is a charitable nonprofit organization located on the traditional territories of the Kwanlin Dun First Nation and the Ta’an Kwach’an Council in the city of Whitehorse.
Mission
Our mission is to tell stories of Yukoners’ ingenuity and self-sufficiency through the history of transportation in the Yukon.
Mandate
Our mandate is to identify, acquire, preserve and conserve the history, cultural material and artifacts of Yukon’s transportation modes and to interpret this history in an educational manner for all Yukoners and visitors alike.
Our staff
2023/24 Board of Directors
President
David Nugent came up to the Yukon in 1973 for a summer job and stayed on, working in the mines, as a log/timber frame builder, carpenter, carpentry instructor at Yukon College, and after that as the Department Head of Trades and Tech at the college. He lives at Marsh Lake, has four grown children, and lives with his wife Paulette Dufour who he met here in 1975. He has a strong interest in Trades and History and is now fully retired. He has spent a goodly amount of time coaching hockey and soccer. He prefers the rural lifestyle to that of the city, something that originally drew him to the Yukon and probably will keep him here forever.
Vice President/Secretary
Hugh Kitchen has lived in the Yukon for over 40 years. 35 years in aviation, 3 of that with Air North, then 32 with Alkan Air (25 as a partner in the business.) Currently he works part time with Alkan Air as a pilot and was recently the president for the Chamber of Mines. Hugh enjoys sharing history through his volunteerism at the YTM.
Treasurer
Brian Stevens is a retired engineer and teacher who first arrived in the Yukon in 2010 and started volunteering at YTM in April of that year. Since 2011, he has led the maintenance and upgrading of YTM’s White Pass and Yukon Route model train layout (when he’s not working on his own home model railroad!) His love for model trains started back in Kitimat, British Columbia, and he was part of the Skeena Valley Railroad Club in Terrace, British Columbia. He also brings his background as a mechanical engineer and a teacher to the museum.
Directors
Richard Roberts has been with the YTM since before the beginning. Richard is devoted to the automobile history of the Yukon and is always happy to do the homework and make the case for interesting new additions to the museum’s collection.
Dale Brown is a farm boy from Alberta. He was active in the Alberta Aviation community and served on several boards until family and a job offer would pull him to the Yukon. His passion is “old school” technology. His tractor was made in 1939, his plane in 1940, and he has furniture that his great-grandfather homesteaded with. He enjoys spending time with anyone who has an interesting story to tell.
Deb Ryan is the Manager of Strategic Planning and Alliances at Air North, Yukon’s Airline.
Kirsten Reid is a Conservation Biologist at the Yukon Conservation Society and is completing her PhD in Geography, studying the responses of Yukon’s ecosystems to climate change. Kirsten holds a Bachelors degree in Biology from the University of Ottawa and Masters degree in Integrative Biology from Wilfrid Laurier University. Since 2013 she has been actively conducting research throughout the Yukon and Northwest Territories. As an avid science communicator, Kirsten is passionate about sharing the stories, resources, and opportunities of the YTM. She wants to contribute to making the YTM a welcoming and engaging space for all.
Stacey Robinson-Brown lives in Carcross on her poultry farm, with her husband and three beautiful children. She has recently earned a Masters’ degree in Social Work and she enjoys both challenging herself at work and homeschooling her children. Recently coming onto the YTM Board, Stacey had a childhood of tinkering with small engines and playing around with motor sports, and she has grown to love all things transportation.
Natalie Chan
The Board of Directors can be contacted at board@goYTM.ca.