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.
2025 Alaska Historical Society Conference
Thank you all who attended our 2025 Alaska Historical Society Conference! Videos of the recorded sessions are available now on the main conference page.
Kipnuk and Kwigillingok, two of the hardest hit communities from the recent Typhoon Halong, are pictured in a wealth of historical photos in Alaska’s Digital Archives showing the beautiful, strong people of those communities and their traditions, like seal and walrus hunting. Make a gift to support the descendants of those in these photos as they are relocated to mass shelters in Anchorage and figure out the next steps in their lives. Houses in both communities have been deemed unlivable. Make... (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)
