Alaska Office of History and Archaeology

Alaska Office of History and Archaeology
Name	Alaska Office of History and Archaeology
Formed	1970s
Jurisdiction	Alaska
Headquarters	Juneau, Alaska
Parent agency	Alaska Department of Natural Resources

Alaska Office of History and Archaeology is a state-level agency within Alaska Department of Natural Resources charged with preservation, documentation, and stewardship of Alaska's cultural heritage. It operates at the intersection of public policy and field practice, interacting with federal entities such as the National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places, and National Historic Preservation Act programs, as well as tribal governments like the Tlingit and Haida communities. The office advises on compliance with statutes including the National Environmental Policy Act and coordinates with institutions such as the Smithsonian Institution, University of Alaska Fairbanks, and the Alaska State Museum.

History

The office originated in the aftermath of mid-20th-century preservation movements influenced by events like the passage of the National Historic Preservation Act and the work of figures associated with the Historic American Buildings Survey and the Archaeological Survey of Alaska. Early collaborations involved the Bureau of Indian Affairs, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, and regional organizations such as the Alaska Historical Society and Society for American Archaeology. Major milestones included compiling inventories for the National Register of Historic Places and managing responses to high-profile incidents near sites linked to Aleut and Inupiaq histories. Over decades the office adapted to legal developments involving Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act compliance, contested site stewardship with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and partnerships with academic programs at the University of Alaska Anchorage.

Mission and Functions

The office's mission centers on identification, protection, and interpretation of cultural resources across Alaska's diverse landscapes, from Kodiak Island to the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. Core functions include maintaining the state historic preservation plan required by the National Historic Preservation Act, reviewing undertakings under Section 106 processes with agencies like the Federal Highway Administration, and administering grants connected to the Save America's Treasures and Historic Preservation Fund. It provides technical guidance to municipalities such as Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Sitka, and advises on heritage matters related to sites like Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park and Totem Bight State Historical Park.

Organization and Governance

Structured under the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, the office coordinates with the Alaska State Historic Preservation Officer and boards including the Alaska State Review Board for National Register of Historic Places. Governance involves statutory relationships with the Alaska Legislature and regulatory frameworks influenced by federal agencies such as the Environmental Protection Agency and the United States Army Corps of Engineers. Staff roles encompass archaeologists, architectural historians, and preservation planners who liaise with institutions like the National Trust for Historic Preservation, Bureau of Land Management, and the Federal Transit Administration on projects affecting cultural resources.

Programs and Services

Programs administered include surveys for prehistoric and historic sites, nominations to the National Register of Historic Places, cemetery and burial site protection linked to Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act obligations, and public grants aligned with Historic Preservation Fund priorities. Services extend to permitting for archaeological investigations in coordination with entities such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, project review with the Federal Highway Administration, and education initiatives partnering with museums like the Alaska State Museum and university collections at the Museum of the North. The office supports documentation projects for structures reminiscent of Kodiak's Russian-American period, resource assessments for Trans-Alaska Pipeline System corridors, and stewardship plans for landmarks tied to figures like Sheldon Jackson.

Collections and Archives

The office maintains inventories, site files, and archival records documenting archaeological investigations and historic properties across Alaska, including records associated with expeditions by the United States Geological Survey and ethnographic collections linked to Richardson-era researchers. Holdings complement major repositories such as the Alaska State Library–Historical Collections, Sealaska Heritage Institute, and the Smithsonian Institution archives. Digital and paper datasets support research into subjects ranging from Kodiak fur trade posts to Nome gold rush era structures and are used by scholars at institutions like Brown University and University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Partnerships and Outreach

The office cultivates partnerships with tribal governments including the Aleut Community of St. Paul Island, cultural organizations like the Sealaska Heritage Institute, conservation groups such as the Nature Conservancy, and federal partners including the National Park Service and Bureau of Land Management. Outreach initiatives connect with the Alaska Historical Society, K-12 schools, and university programs at University of Alaska Anchorage and University of Alaska Southeast to promote stewardship of Indigenous heritage, historic districts in Juneau and Ketchikan, and maritime archaeology relevant to vessels like the SS Farallon and sites in the Bering Sea.

Notable Projects and Investigations

Notable efforts include nominations and documentation for National Register of Historic Places listings such as historic Talkeetna structures, surveys of Barrow (now Utqiaġvik) prehistoric sites, mitigation projects associated with the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System, and collaborative excavations with the University of Alaska Fairbanks at archaeological locales connected to Thule culture and Yup'ik settlements. The office has coordinated repatriation efforts under the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act with museums like the Smithsonian Institution and regional tribal councils, and it has overseen stabilization projects for waterfront sites in Sitka and Ketchikan affected by maritime commerce and Russian America legacies.

Category:State historic preservation offices of the United States Category:History of Alaska