Alaska Historical Commission
Alaska Historical Commission
Winter/Spring 2025 Meeting, TBA
The Alaska Historical Commission is a forum for citizens' voices in the development of state history policy. Members advise the Governor on programs concerning history and prehistory, historic sites and buildings, and on geographic names. The nine-member commission includes the Lieutenant Governor, three citizens trained in history, architecture, or archaeology, an individual representing Native ethnic groups, two members recommended by the Alaska Historical Society, one member from the general public, and the State Historic Preservation Officer. Responsibilities of the Alaska Historical Commission include:
- Reviewing Alaskan prehistory and history materials now in print
- Identifying gaps in the published coverage of Alaska's past
- Identifying sources of Alaska's history
- Coordinating publication of materials that present all aspects of Alaska's history
- Reviewing nominations to the National Register of Historic Places
- Reviewing and making recommendations on grant proposals for historic preservation projects
- Determining the correct and most appropriate names for Alaska's geographic features
- Serving as the state representatives for Alaska's Geographic Names Program
- Advising the Governor and the Legislature on state policy and programs for the preservation of the state's historic, prehistoric, and archaeological resources
Alaska Historical Commission Members
Nancy Dahlstrom, Lieutenant Governor. Alaska Historical Commission Chair.
Juneau, Alaska
Judith E. Bittner, SHPO. Member per Alaska Statute.
Anchorage, Alaska
Mark Rollins: Meets 36 CFR 61 qualifications for Archaeology.
Anchorage, Alaska
Wayne Jensen: Meets 36 CFR 61 qualifications for Architecture.
Juneau, Alaska
VACANT: Alaska Historical Society Designated Seat.
Rebecca Poulson: Alaska Historical Society Designated Seat.
Sitka, Alaska
Forgiveness Kochanowski: Public Member.
Anchorage, Alaska
Jonathon S. Ross: Indigenous Ethnic Group Representative Seat.
Chugiak, Alaska
VACANT: Historian Seat.
Harriet Dinegar Milks: Attorney for Alaska Historical Commission.
Alaska Department of Law
D. Roy Mitchell: Geographic Names Advisor.
Alaska Native Language Preservation & Advisory Council
Mission Statement
"The Alaska Office of History and Archaeology (OHA) and State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) provide programs to encourage the preservation and protection of the archaeological, historic, and architectural resources of Alaska."
