

About Petting Zoo
Petting Zoo is a zoo in Fairbanks, AK. The museum is housed in an actual boxcar, making it a unique physical manifestation of the Boxcar Children book series it celebrates. Rated 5 out of 5 stars by 5 visitors.
Quick Facts
- Type
- Petting Zoo
- Best For
- All ages
- Highlights
- Feed and interact with goats, ducks, chickens, rabbits, pig, and turkey
- Setting
- Outdoor animal interaction experience
💡 Did You Know?
- The museum is housed in an actual boxcar, making it a unique physical manifestation of the Boxcar Children book series it celebrates
- Gertrude Chandler Warner, author of the Boxcar Children books, lived down the street from the museum and taught at a school just one block away, making this a site deeply connected to the author's personal history
- The museum features interactive exhibits based on Gertrude Warner's teaching methods, including imaginary play experiences that demonstrate she was ahead of her time in educational pedagogy
- The museum staff offers flexible accessibility by opening on alternative days if needed to accommodate visitors who cannot visit during regular hours
- The museum includes a dedicated section with historic photographs and materials documenting the 1955 Flood, serving as a local history resource beyond the author exhibits
💬 What Visitors Say
- Engage with the knowledgeable volunteer staff to learn about Gertrude Chandler Warner's innovative teaching methods and local history—they provide personalized context that enriches the experience beyond the exhibits themselves.
- Plan to spend 1-2 hours exploring this compact boxcar museum; despite its small size, it contains substantial content across multiple sections including the author's desk, interactive naturalist displays, and hands-on activities.
- Bring children for the interactive scavenger hunt, puzzles, dollhouse, and craft activities designed around Gertrude Warner's imaginative teaching philosophy—these hands-on elements are specifically highlighted by visitors as standout features.
- If your preferred visiting time doesn't align with regular hours, contact the museum directly—staff have demonstrated willingness to accommodate visitors by opening on alternative days.
- Visit the historic photograph section and 1955 Flood materials to learn about Putnam's local history; the museum's location near where the author lived and taught adds meaningful context to these exhibits.
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