The Nolan Center museum and gift shop logged substantial increases in visitors and revenue this summer, driven in part by higher cruise ship traffic and new tour partnerships, according to a report submitted to the borough assembly.

From May 1 to Aug. 15, gift shop sales rose to $77,000 from $53,000 last year, up about 45%. Revenue from group tours climbed to $30,000 from $16,480, an increase of roughly 82%, and museum admission revenue grew to $23,768 from $14,320, up about 66%, Director Jeanie Arnold said.

Walk-in visitation jumped to about 24,000 people from roughly 14,000 last year, a gain of about 71%.

“We knew there would be an increase in cruise ship tourists this year and we were ready for it,” Arnold said. “We’re anticipating an increase next year, too. I think we’re probably going to see some steady increases as time goes on.”

Arnold credited a coordinated effort with tour operators for the gains. “A lot of thanks goes out to different companies we’ve coordinated with,” she said, naming Alaska Vistas, Experience Wrangell and Alaska Waters. “They’ve done a lot to help increase the traffic here.”

In addition to admission fees and gift shop sales, the Nolan Center also collects revenue from rentals of its facilities for community and private events, including movies. Even with its earned revenues, the heavily used facility last year was budgeted for a $249,000 contribution from the borough’s general fund to cover expenses.

The center is also exploring a partnership with American Cruise Lines to display an exhibit on baseball in Alaska as early as next tourist season, Arnold said.

If the borough reaches an agreement with the company to build a cruise ship dock, perhaps for the 2027 season, the Nolan Center may need to add exhibits or events to meet demand, she said.

“This is my first time talking with them and doing anything like this,” Arnold said of the potential collaboration. “It’s really exciting.”

She said staff handled the higher visitors volumes well this summer. “I’m so proud of all the staff we have and how they’ve handled the increase in business.”

Arnold said the strong season underscores the Nolan Center’s role as a key destination in Wrangell and sets expectations for continued growth. “It’s really exciting to think about what will happen next year. Who knows what the future will bring?”