Alaska Historical Commission
Alaska Historical Commission
Fall Meeting: October 3, 2024
The Alaska Historical Commission will meet via MS TEAMS to approve Certified Local Government grant applications, a National Register of Historic Places nomination, and three geographic name proposals. Additionally, two informational sessions are scheduled. The morning session at 9:30 a.m. includes a presentation by the U.S. Board of Geographic Names staff on Geographic Name Change Proposals. The afternoon session at 1:00 p.m. is dedicated to America250. This special event includes dignitaries such as Rosie Rios, U.S. Semiquincentennial Commission Chair, Julie Sullivan, wife of U.S. Senator Dan Sullivan, and pre-recorded remarks from U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski. Other speakers include Laura Terech, Executive Director, Arizona America250 Commission; Lt. Governor Nancy Dahlstrom, Alaska Historical Commission Chair; and Katherine Ringsmuth, Alaska State Historian.
Any person or group wishing to address the commission on the grant requests, National Register nominations, geographic name proposals, or any other historic preservation issue is invited to participate in the public comment session starting at 10:30 a.m. To sign up, please email OHA at dnr.oha@alaska.gov
AGENDA
Special Information Sessions: Details COMING SOON!
Considering Geographic Names Changes with special speakers Jennifer Runyon and Matthew O’Donnell, US Board Geographic Names Session, 9:30 am – 10:00 am
Alaska and the America 250 with special speaker Rosie Rios, Chair of the US Semiquincentennial Commission, 1 pm – 3 pm.
America250 Leadership - America250
To register to attend the Geographic Names or America250 session via MS Teams, email a request to dnr.oha@alaska.gov.
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."
