Iñupiaq hunter watching for seal, Nome, Alaska. ASL-P240-210, George Parks Photograph Collection, Alaska State Library-Historical Collections.
The Alaska Steamship Company’s Steamship “Jefferson” in Skagway, Alaska, circa 1906. Courtesy Candy Waugaman.
Can-Can girls at the Skagway Days of 98 celebration, 1960’s. Courtesy Candy Waugaman.
Welcome to the Alaska Historical Society
The Alaska Historical Society (AHS) is a nonprofit, volunteer-based organization dedicated to the promotion of Alaska history by the exchange of ideas and information, the preservation and interpretation of resources, and the education of Alaskans about our shared and diverse heritage. Governed by a 15-member board, the Society provides a forum and a vehicle to achieve these goals. AHS is a membership organization with 150+ members. Join us by visiting our membership page and receive our quarterly newsletter and biannual history journal.
Theme: Vital Lifelines in Alaska’s History Commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Nome Serum Run, 50th anniversary of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System, and 75th anniversary of the signing of the Alaska Constitution.
Date: September 24-27, 2025 Location: Fairbanks, Alaska
Timelines: May 31 Proposals for presentations deadline (proposals open now on our conference page) July 1 Conference schedule to be available August 1 Conference registration to open August 31 Early registration deadline
America: The Next 250 Years (March 20, 2025) https://youtu.be/lEPBXS_gCDE Recorded at the Anchorage Museum on March 20, 2025. One of America’s most prolific and preeminent historians, University of Texas Professor H.W. Brands spoke about “America: The Next 250 Years,” on March 20, 2025, at the Anchorage Museum. Author of 30 books, including two that were finalists for the Pulitzer Prize, Brands is a frequent guest on national and international media programs. Then, on the following day, March 21, at the... (Read More)
Read the PDF here FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 14, 2025 Contact: David Ramseur, 907-317-3657 Two Prominent Alaska Leaders to Keynote Historical Society Conference in FairbanksAnnual Meeting set for Sept. 24-27; Deadline for Presentations is June 15 Two insightful Alaska leaders – former Gov. Bill Walker and current state Supreme Court Presiding Justice Susan Carney – will serve as keynote speakers for the Alaska Historical Society’s fall conference Sept. 24-27, 2025, in Fairbanks. This year’s theme is “Vital Lifelines in Alaska’s... (Read More)
See the PDF version April 11, 2025 US Senator Lisa MurkowskiUS Senator Dan SullivanUS Representative Nick Begich Dear Senators Murkowski, Sullivan and Representative Begich: We write on behalf of the members of Alaska’s largest statewide historical advocacy organization to protest the president’s devastating cuts to museums, libraries, archives, cultural centers and historical organizations across Alaska, and to enlist your support for the programs that provide federal funds for them. In recent weeks, scores of these Alaska organizations have received notices... (Read More)
On February 28, 2025, the Board of the Alaska Historical Society sent the following letter to the University of Alaska’s Board of Regents to call upon the Board of Regents to rescind its new policy regarding using the terminology affirmative action, diversity, equity, and inclusion, and terms associated with DEI. Read the full letter in PDF Dear Regents:For 58 years, the statewide Alaska Historical Society has worked to ensure that Alaska’shistory incorporates diverse perspectives and embraces an inclusive vision of... (Read More)
EXTRA! EXTRA! In 1925, a life-saving relay involving 20 mushers and more than 150 sled dogs carried diphtheria antitoxin 674 miles from Nenana to Nome, battling harsh weather conditions to stop a deadly epidemic in isolated Nome. Gunnar Kaasen's team, with Balto in lead, delivered the serum to Dr. Curtis Welch at 5:30am on February 2, 1925, to conclude the Serum Run or Great Race of Mercury. Celebrate the 100th anniversary of these amazing historic events! MUSEUM TALKSPresented at Carrie... (Read More)
