Alaska Historical Society

08/28/2026

The Municipality of Anchorage's (MOA) Public Naming Commission is looking for new members specifically with a background or interest in Anchorage's history and naming of public facilities and places. The Public Naming Commission was established to provide recommendations to the Anchorage Assembly regarding the naming and renaming of public places, including parks, facilities, and other municipal assets. The Commission’s work helps ensure that names reflect the history, culture, and diversity of our community while honoring individuals, places, and events that are meaningful to Anchorage residents.

The MOA is currently looking to fill several positions on the Commission. The Commission seeks members with backgrounds, experience or interest in Anchorage history, historic preservation and diversity, equity, and inclusion work. The Commission is also looking for community-at-large members.

The Commission meets once a month in person at city hall or on Zoom. A commissioner's time commitment is estimated at 3 hours/month. Individuals who are interested in contributing their time and expertise to this work are encouraged to apply. Information about the Commission, its role, and the application process can be found on the Municipality’s website: https://onboard.muni.org/board/5414. =To apply, use the "Apply for this Commission" link at the bottom of the Commission website.

08/25/2026

Alaska's own Rosita Kaaháni Worl was featured as a speaker in the national 250 to 250 series. Gunalchéesh, Rosita, for speaking about the Tlingit people!

08/25/2026

On this day in history, August 24, 1912, President William Howard Taft signed the Second Organic Act which created the Territory of Alaska.

The territory was comprised of four judicial districts - each having four representatives and two senators. The first 24 Territorial Legislators hailed from Candle, Douglas, Fairbanks, Fox, Iditarod, Juneau, Katalla, Ketchikan, Knik, Nome, Ruby, Seward, Sitka, Skagway, Valdez and Wrangell.

Read more: https://akleg.gov/100years/legislature.php?id=-1

08/21/2026

The Alaska Historical Society has lots of options - from one day rates to virtual attendance - for this year's Alaska Historical Society Conference in Homer (and online) October 7-10.

Explore the different options and buy your ticket. Prices increase September 15: www.alaskahistoricalsociety.org/conference

08/14/2026

Have you heard that one of the 2026 Alaska Historical Society Annual Conference keynotes is Sam Mihara?

Sam Mihara and his family were sent to a Japanese internment camp when he was just 9 years old. Now in his nineties, Sam is making a special trip to Alaska to talk about his experiences - similar experiences to what many Japanese Alaskans encountered when they were sent to camps in the Lower 48.

Hear from Sam directly:
https://www.britannica.com/video/Sam-Mihara-interview-Japanese-American-imprisonment/-267927

Register to join us online or in Homer for one day or the full 3 day conference: www.alaskahistoricalsociety.org/conference

Sam Mihara and his family were imprisoned in a Japanese American incarceration camp for three years.

08/11/2026

It started with a book club in the small community of Atka. 3 students fascinated by their history, the history of the Unangax̂ people, transformed their curiosity into an award-winning Alaska History Day website. Then, their project went on to earn the National Endowment for the Humanities' History of Place Award!

But funding for this year’s competition is uncertain, and students like these may not get the chance to participate.

The good news? An anonymous donor has offered a $5,000 match to help save History Day. 💙 Will you make a gift and double your impact for Alaska students?

👉 https://alaskahistoricalsociety.org/save-history-day/

08/06/2026

🚨 Help us save Alaska History Day!

An anonymous donor has stepped forward with an incredible challenge: they'll match every gift to Alaska History Day, dollar for dollar, up to $5,000, through August 31.

For decades, Alaska History Day has inspired students to become researchers, filmmakers, writers, performers, and critical thinkers. They dive into history, analyze primary sources, and build arguments based on evidence.

But today, the future of Alaska History Day is at risk. Without additional support, this program may not continue. This matching gift is an opportunity to make twice the impact for Alaska's students and help ensure History Day continues for the next generation.

💙 Every dollar you give before August 31 will be doubled, up to our $5,000 goal. Please join us in saving this program and share this post with the history lovers in your life.

Donate today and watch our progress: https://alaskahistoricalsociety.org/save-history-day/

Photo: Alaska students participating the national history day competition near Washington, D.C.

08/06/2026

Depending on the resources available, Alaska Native peoples make baskets from many different materials, including spruce root, wild rye grass (taxyux̂ in Unangam Tunuu), baleen, and birch bark as pictured. One can appreciate how this photo has a blend of Western clothing and traditional, Alaska Native basket-making techniques at work. Notice the box of what looks like spruce root next to them. Spruce root is often made pliable and used like thread, sewing the birch bark together. Then, many baskets are sealed with spruce sap for water resistance.

This photo is labeled as from Klukwan in Southeast Alaska.

Photo credit: Evelyn Butler and George Dale. Photographs, 1934-1982. ASL-PCA-306, Accessed at: https://vilda.alaska.edu/digital/collection/cdmg21/id/22018/rec/8

08/05/2026

Registration is now open for the 2026 Alaska Historical Society Conference. Join us in Homer or online for 1, 2, or 3 days of incredible sessions about Alaska's history.

Explore registration options like student pricing and more: http://alaskahistoricalsociety.org/conference

Early bird pricing ends on September 15, so don't wait to secure your spot!