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Contributions to Alaska History Award and Special Award

The Contributions to Alaska History Award and Special Award recognize individuals or groups that have made significant or special contributions to the Alaska Historical Society and the promotion and understanding of Alaska history. The Contributions to Alaska History Award was first given in 2001. These awards are not given every year.

Contributions to Alaska History Award

2023
Ketchikan Museums was recognized for its newsletter and website’s Artifact of the Month column. Fairbanks historians Leanna Prax Williams and Rebecca Heaton received the award for coordinating and advocating for Alaska History Day. Anchorage educator Alice Tower Knapp received a Contributions to Alaska History Award for her book, On Track!: The Nordic Skiing Association of Anchorage. Fairbanks historian Chris Allan was recognized for a long list of significant contributions to the AHS over the past two decades.
2022
Katherine J. Ringsmuth for the NN Cannery History Project documenting cannery work, people and place; R. Bruce Parham for his generous investments of expertise and time to the Alaska Historical Society and the Cook Inlet Historical Society; and Diane Olthuis for her dedicated service to the Hope & Sunrise Historical Society and Museum and the Kenai Peninsula Historical Association.
2021
Irene Sparks Rowan for working to preserve and share the history of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA); Dermot Cole for bringing historical perspective to journalism and as the author of six books on Alaska history; and J. Pennelope Goforth for being a dedicated researcher and impassioned advocate for Alaska history
2020
David Reamer, “Histories of Anchorage,” Anchorage Daily News weekly feature; and David James, “Becoming Alaskan” / “Creating Alaska” series and Alaskana book reviews, Fairbanks Daily News-Miner
2019
Anjuli Grantham, editor and Sarah Asper-Smith, designer for the book Tin Can Country: Southeast Alaska’s Historic Salmon Canneries; and the Princess Sophia Shipwreck Centennial Commemoration Committees in Juneau & Skagway
2018
S.F. “Shana” Loshbaugh, David Ramseur, Lee Poleske, William Schneider, Caroline “Cussy” Kauer
2017
Dr. Mikhail Malakhov for documenting the travels of Russian traders and explorers in Alaska
2015
49 Writers, Katherine J. Ringsmuth
2014

Larry Hibpshman who was the Senior Archivist at the Alaska State Archives from 1988 until his retirement earlier this year. The award specifically notes his work as project director for the Exxon Valdez records project.
2013
Karen Brewster, Victor Fischer, Charles Wohlforth, Rex A. Wilhelm, Audrey and Bruce Kelly
2012
Katherine J. Ringsmuth, Thomas F. Thornton
2011
Ray Bonnell, Mike Blackwell, Marie Darlin, and Jim Geraghty, and Suellyn Wright-Novak
2010
Mary C. Mangusso, Stephen W. Haycox, Brenda Dates Campen
2009
John Bockstoce
2008
Stan Cohen, Jacquelin “Jackie” Pels
2007
Candy Waugaman
2006
Kathryn “Kay” Shelton
2004
Ted C. Hinckley
2003
William Schneider
2002
Richard A. Pierce
2001
Frederica de Laguna

Special Award

2023
Rachel Mason for her outstanding contributions as an AHS Board member. Rachel has served as an officer, program chair, awards chair, member of the newsletter staff and in about every other capacity in the society.
2022
Special recognition was given to Gary C. Stein for his articles and book contributing to understanding the role and significant individuals of the U.S. Revenue Marine Service in Alaska; and to Patience Frederiksen, recently retired director of the Alaska State Library, Archives and Museums, for her enormous assistance to AHS, making staff available and providing important background information on state budget issues.
2020
Alaska History Editorial Advisors: Stephen Haycox, Bill Hunt, Mary Mangusso, John Whitehead,Terrence Cole, Ann Fienup-Riordan, Timothy Rawson, and Andrei Znamenski. For over 220 combined years of service to the Alaska Historical Society and the wider world of those who value the study of our past.
2018
Terrence M. Cole – The Bear of Alaska History Award
2013

Barbara Sweetland Smith
2012
Laurence A. Goldin
2010
James H. Ducker
2008
Kay Shelton
2007
Dave Merrill
2004
Sande McDermott
2001
Diane Brenner (Museums Alaska) and Yurii Popof
2000
Karen Lavery (Fairbanks Downtown Association), and Richard Hanscom (Alaska Token Collector)
1998
Family of Dorothy Clifton
1997
George A. Hall
1996
Joan M. Antonson
1995
James H. Ducker
1986
George A. Hall
1985
Robert N. DeArmond, Robert Henning
1984
John H. Cloe, Michael F. Monaghan
1983
Michael S. Kennedy
1980
Lu Rowinski
1979
Waldo Bodfish