Projects Digitizing Alaska History

Alaska's Digital Archives
"Alaska's Digital Archives presents a wealth of historical photographs, oral histories, moving images, documents, and other materials from libraries, museums, and institutions throughout our state."
Alaska State Museums' Collections Search
Great Alaska Earthquake of 1964 Resource Guide
"March 27, 2014 marked the fiftieth anniversary of the Great Alaska Earthquake of 1964. To commemorate the event, a number of Alaskan repositories came together to create this guide to archival resources related to the earthquake."
Kodiak Alaska Military History
National Archives & Records Administration (NARA) at Seattle, Alaska Digitization Project
Project Jukebox
"The digital branch of the Oral History Program at the University of Alaska Fairbanks."
Tundra Times Photograph Project
"The Tundra Times was the voice of Alaska Natives from 1962 to 1997."

Alaska Archives, Libraries, & Museums

Alaska Association for Historic Preservation (Anchorage)
Alaska Aviation Heritage Museum (Anchorage)
Alaska Jewish Museum (Anchorage)
Alaska Museum of Science & Nature (Anchorage)
Alaska Native Heritage Center (Anchorage)
"A gathering place that celebrates, perpetuates and shares Alaska Native cultures."
Alaska State Archives (Juneau)
Alaska State Library (Juneau)
Alaska State Museums (Juneau & Sitka)
Alutiiq Museum (Kodiak)
Anchorage Public Library
Anchorage Museum
ARLIS-Alaska Resources Library &Information Services (Anchorage)
"The mother lode of Alaska resources information."
ASC Alaska Office (Anchorage)
The Smithsonian Institute's "Arctic Studies Center [ASC] has an office in Anchorage, Alaska, where Native peoples, scholars and museum staff work together on a broad range of collaborative research, exhibitions and educational programs. The ASC Alaska Office is located at the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center."
Clausen Memorial Museum (Petersburg)
Eagle Historical Society
Fairbanks North Star Borough Public Libraries
Homer Public Library
Juneau Public Libraries
Kenai Community Library
Ketchikan Museums
Tongass Historical Museum
Totem Heritage Center
Ketchikan Public Library
Kodiak History Museum
Formerly the Baranov Museum.
Kodiak Maritime Museum
Museum of Alaska Transportation and Industry (Wasilla)
Petersburg Public Library
Pratt Museum (Homer)
Seward Community Library & Museum
Sheldon Museum (Haines)
Sitka History Museum
Skagway Museum
Statewide Library Electronic Doorway (SLED)
"Information Resources for, about, and by Alaskans."
Tuzzy Consortium Library (Barrow)
UAA/APU Consortium Library (Anchorage):

Archives and Special Collections

UAF Elmer E. Rasmuson Library (Fairbanks):

UAF Museum of the North (Fairbanks)
UAS Egan Library (Juneau)
UAS Ketchikan Campus Library
Valdez Museum & Historical Archive

Regional Archives, Libraries, & Museums

The Burke Museum of Natural History and Culture (Seattle, Washington)
City of Vancouver Archives
Museum of Anthropology (Vancouver, BC)
Museum of History & Industry (Seattle, Washington)
National Archives & Records Administration (NARA) at Seattle
"We maintain and provide access to permanent records created by federal agencies and courts in the following states: Alaska, Idaho, Oregon, Washington."
Royal BC Museum (Victoria, BC)
Home of the British Columbia Archives
Seattle Municipal Archives
Seattle Public Library
University of British Columbia Library (Vancouver, BC)
University of Washington Libraries (Seattle, Washington)
Vancouver Public Library
Washington State Archives (Olympia, Washington)
Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma, Washington)
Washington State Library (Olympia, Washington)
Yukon Archives (Whitehorse, Yukon)

National Archives & Libraries

Library and Archives Canada:

Film, Video, and Sound

Library of Congress:

Audio Visual Conservation
National Film Preservation Board
"Established by the National Film Preservation Act of 1988, the National Film Preservation Board works to ensure the survival, conservation and increased public availability of America's film heritage"
National Recording Preservation Board
"Each year since 2002, the National Recording Preservation Board (NRPB) and members of the public have nominated recordings to the National Recording Registry."

National Archives & Records Administration (NARA):

Alaska and Regional Historical Societies & Resources

Alaska Historical Society
Alaska Lost Ski Areas Project
British Columbia Historical Federation
HistoryLink
"The Online Encyclopedia of Washington State History."
Puget Sound Maritime Historical Society
"Preserving our Northwest Nautical Heritage."
Seward Historic Preservation Commission
Tanana-Yukon Historical Society (Fairbanks)
Washington State Historical Society
Yukon Historical & Museums Association (Whitehorse, Yukon)

Alaska Public Broadcasters

Alaska Public Media (Anchorage)
KAKM-TV and KSKA-FM 91.1.
Aleutian Peninsula Broadcasting, Inc. (Sand Point)
KSDP 830 AM.
Bethel Broadcasting, Inc.
KYUK TV, KYUK 640 AM, and KYUK 90.3 FM. Archives at KYUK.
Big River Public Broadcasting Inc. (Galena)
KIYU 910 AM and 88.1 FM; KALG 98.1 FM in Kaltag; KHUS 98.1 FM in Huslia; KHUU 97.1 FM in Hughes; KKET 95.9 FM in Allakaket; KNUL 99.1 FM in Nulato; KOYU 98.1 FM in Koyukuk; KRBY 98.1 FM in Ruby; KSYU 98.1 FM in St. Marys; and KTYU 99.1 FM in Tanana.
Ketchemak Bay Broadcasting, Inc. (Homer)
KBBI 890 AM in Homer; and 88.1 FM in Seward.
KFSK Community Radio (Petersburg)
88.1 FM, 91.1 FM, 100.9 FM, and 103.1 FM in Petersburg, Coffman Cove, Farragut Bay, Kupreanof, Little Port Walter, Port Alexander, Port Baker, Point Protection, Thomas Bay, Warm Springs Bay, and Whale Pass.
KHNS (Haines)
91.9 FM and 102.3 FM in Haines, Klukwan, and Skagway.
Kodiak Public Broadcasting Corporation
KMXT 100.1 FM; 91.9 FM in Port Lions; 100.1 FM in Chignik; and 101.7 FM in Akhiok, Karluk, Larsen Bay, and Old Harbor.
Kohanic Broadcast Corporation (Anchorage)
KNBA 90.3 FM.
Kotzebue Broadcasting Inc.
720 AM and 89.9 FM; 88.5 FM in Ambler; 88.7 FM in Shungnak; and 88.9 FM in Kobuk.
KTNA (Talkeetna)
88.9 FM.
KTOO Public Media (Juneau)
KTOO TV and KTOO 91.7 FM and 104.3 FM; KRNN 102.7 FM and 103.1 FM; KXLL 100.7 FM and 101.7 FM; and KTOO 360TV.
KUAC (Fairbanks)
KUAC TV and KUAC 89.9 FM; 91.1 FM in Nenana and Tok; 91.3 FM in Bettles and Nome; 91.7 FM in Delta Junction and Eagle; and 101.7 FM in Healy.
Kuskokwim Public Broadcasting Corporation (McGrath)
89.9 FM in McGrath; KNKO 88.5 FM in Shageluk; KMGS 89.5 FM in Angvik; KSKC 89.5 FM in Crooked Creek; KNIB 89.5 FM in Nikolai; KSKP 89.5 FM in Sleetmute; KGYA 90.5 FM in Grayling; and KLOP 91.5 FM in Holy Cross.
Rainbird Community Radio (Ketchikan)
KRBD 105.9 FM; 90.1 FM in Hydaburg, Klawock, Mountain Point, and Thorne Bay; 90.7 FM in North Point Higgins; 101.7 FM in Craig; 105.3 FM in Ketchikan, Metlakatla, and Saxman; and 107.1 FM in North Ketchikan, Ward Cove, and Ketchikan.
Raven Radio Foundation, Inc. (Sitka)
KCAW 90.1 FM and 104.7 FM; 90.1 FM in Yakutat; 91.7 FM in Pelican; 91.9 FM in Port Alexander and Tenakee Springs; 92.1 FM in Elfin Cove; 105.5 FM in Angoon; and 107.1 FM in Kake.
Silakkuagvik Communications, Inc. (Utqiagvik)
KBRW 680 AM and 91.9 FM; 88.1 FM in Deadhorse, Kaktovik, Nuiqsut, and Point Lay; and 101.5 FM in Anaktuvuk Pass and Point Hope.
Terminal Radio, Inc. (Valdez)
KCHU 770 AM; KXGA 90.5 FM in Glennallen; KXKM 89.7 FM in McCarthy; 88.1 FM in Chenega Bay, Cordova, and Tatitlek; and 88.3 FM in Whittier.
Unalaska Community Broadcasting
KUCB-TV and KUCB 89.7 FM.
Wrangell Radio Group
91.7 FM and 101.7 FM in Wrangell, North Wrangell Island, and Shoemaker Bay.

Film, Video, & Audio Collections and Preservation

A/V Artifact Atlas (AVAA)
"...a resource for identifying errors and anomalies in analog and digital video. AVAA is built for and by a community of professionals in the field of audiovisual archiving but useful for anyone working with av material."
Academy Museum of Motion Pictures (Los Angeles, CA)
A museum dedicated to the history and technology of motion pictures. Administered by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), the Museum also maintains the Academy archives.
American Archive of Public Broadcasting
"A collaboration between the Library of Congress and GBH."
Archivematica
"Archivematica is a free and open-source digital preservation system that is designed to maintain standards-based, long-term access to collections of digital objects."
Association for Recorded Sound Collections (ARSC)
"Dedicated to research, study, publication, and information exchange surrounding all aspects of recordings and recorded sound."
Association of Moving Image Archivists (AMIA)
"The Association of Moving Image Archivists is an international nonprofit association dedicated to the preservation and use of moving image media."
Audio Tape Restoration Tips & Notes
Courtesy of Richard L. Hess's Audio Tape Restoration, Repair and Mastering.
British Pathe
"Explore the world's finest newsreel archives. 220,000 films dating from 1896 to 1984."
Care and Handling for the Preservation of CDs and DVDs - A Guide for Librarians and Archivists
Co-published by the Council on Library and Information Resources (CLIR) and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).
Community Owned digital Preservation Tool Registry (COPTR)
"COPTR helps practitioners find tools needed for long term digital preservation tasks."
Conservation Online (CoOL)
"...a freely accessible platform to generate and disseminate vital resources for those working to preserve cultural heritage worldwide."

EYE Film Institute Netherlands (Amsterdam)
A film archive, museum, and screening venue.
Federal Agencies Digital Guidelines Initiative (FADGI)
"...a collaborative effort by federal agencies to define common guidelines, methods, and practices for digitizing historical content..."
Film Forever
An online guide to preserving your home movie heritage, sponsored by AMIA.
International Federation of Film Archives (FIAF)
Irish Film Archive
Learning on Screen
Formerly BUFVC--British Universities Film & Video Council.
"Transforming post-16 education with moving image and sound."
Moving Image Preservation of Puget Sound (MIPoPS) (Seattle, WA)
"...enables archives, libraries, and museums, as well as arts, science and heritage organizations, to convert their legacy video recordings to digital formats, allowing new access to our region's cultural heritage."
National Film Preservation Foundation (NFPF)
"The National Film Preservation Foundation offers several types of film preservation grants to public and nonprofit organizations." Site also includes PDF files of The Film Preservation Guide: The Basics for Archives, Libraries, and Museums.
Netherlands Institute for Sound and Vision (Hilversum)
"The Institute for Sound & Vision collects, preserves, and provides access to over 70% of the Dutch audio-visual heritage."
Quality Control Tools for Video Preservation
"The goal of Quality Control Tools for Video Preservation is to create new software tools that will potentially benefit all areas of the humanities." Courtesy of the Bay Area Video Coalition (BAVC), the Dance Heritage Coalition, and David Rice.
UCSB Cylinder Audio Archive
"The UCSB Library invites you to discover and listen to its online archive of cylinder recordings; donate to help the collection grow; and learn about how these sounds and songs create an audio history of American culture."
Videotape Identification and Assessment Guide (PDF)
Courtesy of the Texas Commission on the Arts.

Other Film, Video, & Audio Resources

Anchorage International Film Festival
Alaska Production Company
Best Filming Locations in Alaska
"663,300 square miles of the most cinematic terrain on earth. Here are the locations that productions come for and how we get you there."
Beginner's Guide to Morse Code and Telegraphs
"The invention of the telegraph and the subsequent development of Morse code laid the literal groundwork for the public internet we use today." Special thanks to Zach for sending us the link.
Broadcasting and Its History
A business study, courtesy of Wyoming Trust & LLC Attorney. Special thanks to our friends at the Lyndhurst STEM Club for Girls for sending us the link.
Fieldwork and Research Guides
"In an effort to provide useful information to fieldworkers, students, community scholars, and others interested in cultural documentation, ethnography and oral history, the Vermont Folklife Center archive provides online access to a series of research guides." Courtesy of The Vermont Folklife Center.

Interviewing Advice
"At Vermont Folklife we've been conducting interviews with Vermonters since 1984, and over this time we've developed an approach (and philosophy!) for doing it. Here we share some of our best tips."
Recording Interviews & Sounds In Person
"Some guidelines for in person recording."
Recording Interviews Remotely
"Some guidelines for remote recording."
Digital Audio Recording Equipment Guide
"An overview of audio field recording technologies currently available to researchers."
Audio Recording Equipment Guide: Retired Equipment List
"A list of audio field recording technologies no longer included in the Audio Recording Equipment Guide. Currently includes information on DAT, MiniDisc and Hi-MD."
Advice for Interviewing in the Wake of Natural Disaster
"Some brief suggestions for conducting interviews related to the experience and impact of natural disasters, such as Tropical Storm Irene in Vermont."

Internet Movie Database (IMDb)
The Juneau Underground Motion Picture (JUMP) Society
"A free film festival showcasing local short films! film festival showcasing short (less than 10-minute) films with a connection to Juneau."
Sweetwater's Glossary
"The most comprehensive music technology glossary on the planet."
Telecommunications History: Broadcasting
A series of informative blog entries, courtesy of Ooma Inc.. Special thanks to our colleages at Colorado Student Success for sending us the link.

Links