The Office of History and Archaeology (OHA) is Alaska's primary office with knowledge and expertise in historic preservation dedicated to preserving and interpreting Alaska's past, and serves as Alaska's State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) pursuant to the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. OHA administers programs authorized by both the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and the Alaska Historic Preservation Act of 1971. The office works with local governments, the public, and educational and not-for-profit organizations to identify, preserve, protect, and interpret the state's cultural, historic, and archaeological resources ensuring that our heritage is passed on to future generations.

The National Park Service recently awarded the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) two National Maritime Heritage Grants in this highly competitive national program. The first is a grant of $100,000 specifically for preservation projects; the second is a grant of $242,500 for education projects. With each, the SHPO aims to preserve and interpret Alaska's rich maritime resources while supporting vibrant communities with ancient connections to northern waters that continue into the present day. To achieve this mission, SHPO partnered with the State Libraries, Archives, and Museums (LAM), in the Department of Education and Early Development (DEED) to form the Alaska Maritime Heritage Preservation Program... See more.