Alaska Film Archives

About the Collection

Over the past half century, the University of Alaska Fairbanks has built the largest collection of archival films in and about Alaska. The collection combines hundreds of donations of film and videos to UAF by individuals, organizations and institutions. Materials range from professional productions to amateur home-movies, made in and about Alaska from the earliest days of filmmaking through today. Since 1993 these materials have been held by the Alaska Film Archives, a unit of Alaska and Polar Regions Collections & Archives in the Elmer E. Rasmuson Library. Films and videos selected for this portal project are a sampling of the thousands available for checkout on DVD through the Rasmuson Library. Unless otherwise noted, items are presented here in their entirety, unedited and uncut. Short, popular clips from the collection can be viewed on our YouTube channel. Read more about the Alaska Film Archives.

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: [1969 North American Sled Dog Championship Race - Fairbanks, Alaska]; These scenes from the 1969 North American Championship Sled Dog Races in Fairbanks, Alaska, filmed by Fairbanks photographer Richard L. Hansen, include: an Alaska Dog Mushers Association sign; a Sled Dog Races Sweepstakes sign; dogs in dog boxes on a truck; a truck with Malamak logos; a man removing dogs from dog boxes and placing dogs in harness; a race board with names including Lombard, Attla, Redington, Shepard, Taylor, Nayokpuk, McDougall, Lake, and Folger; a race announcer; a drum filled with slips of paper for a drawing; spectators watching as the race starts under snowy conditions; a variety of dogs in harnesses; spectators buying and eating cotton candy; close-up views of dogs; a close-up view of a Fairbanks Dog Mushers Association patch on a man’s coat; many people in colorful parkas and boots; dogs rolling in snow; a sign for George Attla sponsored by J.C. Penney Co.; mushers; a truck for Wright's Aurora Huskies; and dogs peeking out of dog boxes on a truck.

: Alaska, The Great Land; Footage includes historic photos, a gold dredge, an oil drill rig, a coal mine, a gravel conveyor, Matanuska Valley farms, salmon king crab and halibut fisheries, a pulp mill, Wien aircraft, Native dancers, and scenery. Footage of towns and cities include Wrangell, Petersburg, Ketchikan, Sitka, Juneau, Fairbanks, University of Alaska campus, Point Barrow, Kotzebue, Nome, Prince William Sound, Valdez, Seward, Kenai, and Anchorage. Earthquake footage includes scenes from Anchorage and Seward. Towns shown following the earthquake include Anchorage, Whittier, Valdez, Seward, and Kodiak. During the program, Governor Egan speaks and accounts of the earthquake are told by survivors.

: Fairbanks Yesterday Today Tomorrow; This program presents the history of Fairbanks from its geological formation through 1974. Credits are as follows: host, Dave Geesin; pre-history, Florence Weber; miner, Tim Ames; mining discussion, Dr. Earl Beistline and Bruce Thomas; readings, Mark Bergeson, Pamela Buckway and Tom Duncan; narration, Charles Creamer, Tom Duncan, Don Hering, Clara Rust and Marion Wood; director, Frank Herriott; Hering segment director, Myron Tisdel; producer, Patrick Moore; production assistant, Frank Henry; research, Kit Jensen; cinematography, Mark Badger; graphics, Nancy Van Veenen; audio, Tom Saxton; video, Dave Walstad and John Reisinger; production, Carolyn Dowling, Pat Fitzgerald, John Ryan, Jim Schneider and Pat Thrasher; photos provided by Mrs. V.K. Brickley, CamerAlaska, Fabian Carey, William Cashen, Florence Collins, Roger Cotting, Mary Hansen, Nelson’s Studio, University of Alaska, and United States Air Force; furnishings provided by Nerlands; parka provided by Martin Victor Furs; produced through the facilities of KUAC-TV and the Division of Media Services at University of Alaska.

: International 500; This film was made during the International 500 snowmobile race from Saint Paul, Minnesota to Winnipeg, Manitoba.

: [Juneau, Legislature]; Some segments of film contain sound, and others are silent. Specific information noted on the original film is given here in parentheses. The footage includes a story about the possible move of Alaska's capital, views of Juneau construction, the state capitol building, boats in a harbor, an airplane flying over boats, mountains and fog, town streets, the Red Dog Saloon, traffic and people, maps of Alaska, people in a meeting, construction, a reporter at the capitol building, a reporter overlooking the town, boats (silent and sound), views of Juneau, Bullwinkle's, buildings and a courtyard, flags being raised by the state office building (silent), a boat harbor in Juneau, the ferry "LeConte," men in a rowboat (silent), views of Juneau (silent), people in meetings, the legislature in session (segment titled "State House/State Senate") (silent), the legislature in session, and an Alaska senator being interviewed about outside interests in protecting Alaska's undeveloped areas as well as about conservation efforts in Alaska (silent and sound).

: [Kenai – with Roy and Ethel Koshney]; The original narrated DVD is titled “Kenai.” The original silent film is labeled “Roy Koshney Kenai.” This is the narrated version. The film contains footage of Roy Koshney planting a garden and mending nets for commercial fishing, Roy heading out in an old cannery boat to the fishing grounds on Kasilof or Kenai River, Roy running nets out from his fishing boat, Roy pulling in nets, a sunset over the inlet, a boat hold full of fish, Roy moving fish using a peugh, men offloading fish at a cannery, Roy and Ethel Koshney cutting up salmon, Roy and Dina or Deena Koshney picking berries, the fishing boat PG 78 in a dry dock, and fishermen baiting and running out longline for halibut. An un-narrated scene at end includes a small fishwheel along a river and a man with a string of salmon.

: [KTVF news stories, cross country skiing, snowmachines, baseball, airplanes]; Some segments of film contain audio, and others are silent. Note that this transfer is from a film negative. Specific dates and other information noted on the original film are given here in parentheses. Footage includes a cross country ski race in Fairbanks, a 20-kilometer Skiathon patch (silent) (undated), spectators watching a snowmachine race (silent) (segment titled "Midnight Sun 600") (undated, but possibly 1970 race start at Kulis Air National Guard Base in Anchorage), a Glacier Pilots baseball game, views of the crowd (silent) (undated), aircraft, and an official being interviewed about the search efforts for a missing aircraft that disappeared shortly after departing Anchorage (silent and sound) (segment titled "Begich, Boggs, Stocker") (October 18, 1972).

: [KTVF news stories, Eielson Church of Christ, Deitrich Camp, interviews]; Some segments of film contain audio, others are silent. Specific dates and other information noted on the original film are given here in parentheses. Footage includes elderly people exercising, eating, and reading in care facility as well as a woman speaking about activities for the elderly (segment is titled "Careage North") (no date) (sound), military exercises utilizing helicopters and snowmachines (no date or description) (silent), a still image of a man and girl (segment is titled "United Way Still") (no date) (silent), views of the new Market Basket store and surroundings (segment is titled "Don Bender") (no date) (silent), views of ice and snow on buildings, cars, and airplanes (segment is titled "Deep Snow, Plane Crash, Icicles") (no date) (silent), scenes of family life in a cabin (segment is titled "Dale Road cutaways") (no date) (silent), activities and people at the Salvation Army, U.S.O., and church buildings (segment titled "United Way Campaign 1975") (silent), a man talking about running for state house (segment is titled "Sam Barnes") (no date) (sound), outtakes from a commercial about homes for sale (segment is titled "McGuire Dev. Spot") (no date) (sound), a woman being interviewed about the impact of pipeline development on the housing market and house insurance rates (segment is titled "Goldstream sync") (no date) (sound), children with skis and a dogsled, kids eating around a campfire, a dog yard (segment is titled "Blankenship outs") (no date) (silent), scenes in Valdez, a waitress at the Harbor Club being interviewed about Saturday night activities (no date) (sound), views of the Eielson Church of Christ building, church member activities (no date) (silent), pipeline camp scenes, a building burning, and cleanup after the fire (segment is titled "Dietrich Fire") (no date) (silent).

: [KTVF news stories from Fairbanks during 1973 - 4]; Footage includes a press conference at which a man talks about Bill Rogers's retirement, conservation in Alaska, pipeline workers, oil reserves. It also features an auction, a man explaining feasibility studies for the pipeline's terminus, scenes from James C Ryan Junior High School, scenes from the University of Alaska Fairbanks, the smoldering remnants of a structure, radiation signs in a rural area, exterior and interior views of several grocery stores, men working with insulation in an attic, fire fighters at the Fairbanks Fire Department, and several people exiting a Pan Am airplane.

: [KTVF news stories, hospital construction, Main School, College Post Office]; Some segments of film contain audio, and others are silent. Specific dates and other information noted on the original film are given here in parentheses. The footage includes breakup scenes, melting snow and ice, a Dairy Queen, downtown Fairbanks streets, a story about the arrival of spring (undated) (sound), people gathered to listen to a speaker (story titled "U of A Rally #2") (undated) (silent), Dr. Wells being interviewed about an art workshop for children, kids working on crafts (undated) (sound), a fire Marshall and others testing fire retardants (undated) (sound), open piles of burning trash at the City of Fairbanks Refuse Disposal Area (story titled "Dump Fire") (undated) (sound), an architect being interviewed about progress on the construction of the Fairbanks Memorial Hospital, exterior and interior views of hospital construction, a check being presented to Dr. William Wood (undated) (sound), scenes from a science fair at Ryan High School (undated) (sound), a story about the development of the Easter egg (undated) (sound), a person in an outhouse costume with sign encouraging a "yes" vote on the sewer bond issue (undated) (sound), men being interviewed about damage and disrepair at Main Junior High School, kids going to class (undated) (sound), men being interviewed about a pilot training program at the University of Alaska (undated) (sound), interior and exterior views of College Post Office (undated) (silent), outdoor wedding ceremony scenes (undated) (silent), police investigating a crime at an apartment building (1971) (silent), Senator Ted Stevens addressing a group of teenagers at the Alaska Boys State mock legislative session at Copper Valley School, Senator Stevens talking about the proposed Cannikin Atomic test on Amchitka Island (June 14, 1971) (sound), a meeting, a story about a school board and budget cuts (June 9, 1971) (sound), a swearing-in ceremony (June 15, 1971) (silent), a meeting (story titled "Assembly") (June 5, 1971) (silent), meeting scenes (segment titled "Alaska DLON [?]") (June 7, 1971) (silent), a man being interviewed about a new BLM firetruck (probably 1971) (sound), a man being interviewed about telephone wires and ductwork installation (segment titled "Mobius - MUS") (June 25, 1971) (sound), a state trooper investigating a charge of flag abuse at a cabin involving a couple displaying an American flag with a peace sign on it (1971) (sound), a policeman driving on a course, and a policeman being interviewed about car safety features (1971) (sound).

: [KTVF news stories, interviews, Binkley interview, Bob Hope, Golden Days 1977]; Some segments of film contain audio, and others are silent. Specific dates and other information noted on the original film are given here in parentheses. Footage includes men being interviewed about public and press access to juvenile court proceedings (sound) (undated), Fairbanks cab drivers being interviewed about the murder of a cab driver in Anchorage (sound) (undated), a man in handcuffs being led through an airport to board an Alaska Airlines flight (silent) (undated), a military official speaking about military funding, the military official talking about a volunteer army and the anticipated ending of the draft (sound) (undated), public hearing scenes (silent) (undated), a man being interviewed about the affect of a West Coast longshoremen's strike on Fairbanks (sound) (undated), men speaking (silent) (undated), a local official being interviewed about a possible phase-out of Fort Wainwright beginning in 1973 (sound) (undated), comedian Bob Hope stepping off an airplane and being interviewed about upcoming shows to entertain troops at Fort Wainwright and Eielson Air Force Base, Bob Hope speaking to a crowd (sound) (undated), British explorer Colin Irwin aboard the sailboat "Endeavour," Irwin being interviewed in Point Barrow before attempting to navigate the Northwest Passage in 1971 (sound) (undated), tourists boarding the newly completed riverboat "Discovery II," Captain Jim Binkley being interviewed, a Texas woman being interviewed about her Alaskan tour (sound) (undated), men in gold rush era costumes weighing gold (sound) (undated), artists selling paintings and crafts in Fairbanks, a celebration and speeches at a Felix Pedro monument (silent and sound) (1977), parade scenes, and people at Alaskaland in Fairbanks (silent and sound) (segment titled "Kiddies Parade 1977").

: [KTVF news stories, Lathrop High School graduation, Umiat, Nenana]; Some segments of film contain audio, and others are silent. Specific dates and other information noted on the original film are given here in parentheses. The footage includes a story about new lobby hours at the downtown Fairbanks post office with the lobby no longer being open nights and Sundays (August 1, 1971) (sound), a man lecturing about weather data and the process of cloud seeding (story titled "Endeavour") (1971) (sound), men and women at a meeting (undated) (silent), a story about two 24-year-old mechanical engineers from Chile who drove from their homeland to Alaska in a 1929 Dodge (August 4, 1971) (sound), a story about cleanup efforts on the North Slope, views of junk piles at the Umiat drilling camp (August 5, 1971) (sound), Governor William Egan speaking about higher education issues and the need to establish a medical school in Alaska (story titled "Egan - Wiche") (August 9, 1971) (sound), scenes from the christening of the oil tanker SS Arco Prudhoe Bay (August 10, 1971) (sound), views from aboard an Alaska Railroad train, the Nenana train station (undated) (silent), a school bus being pulled out of a ditch after a rollover at 15-mile on Nenana Highway (May 18, 1972) (sound), three men being interviewed about borough and school budget issues (story titled "#1 Borough Budget, #2 Lawler, #3 Burnett") (1972) (sound), people gathering at Fort Wainwright for demonstrations of military equipment and an air show, men rappelling from a helicopter (story titled "Armed Forces Day") (May 20, 1972) (sound), graduation ceremonies at Lathrop High School, faculty speakers Ms. Dale and Mr. Boko present a bleak view of the future, student speakers, scenes from a Monroe High School graduation (May 27, 1972) (sound), Governor Bill Egan speaking at a Democratic Convention, a story about changes taking place in the Democratic Party as more young people become involved (May 29, 1972) (sound), scenes from a military ceremony (story titled "Memorial Day") (May 29, 1972) (silent), a man speaking about Fort Wainwright troop reductions (undated) (sound), Governor William Egan speaking about oil revenue distribution and production sharing in Peru, the governor speaking about state budget issues (undated) (sound), views of patients being transported from the old Fairbanks Community Hospital to the new Fairbanks Memorial Hospital, a man and woman being interviewed about the transfer of patients (April 8, 1972) (sound), a military man being interviewed about the Environmental Impact Statement regarding the operation of Blair Lakes Range, another man being interviewed about his dissatisfaction with the process (April 12, 1972) (sound), views of Nenana and the tripod in winter, a story about the Nenana Ice Classic (April 17, 1972) (sound), men with brooms sweeping a Fairbanks street (April 20, 1972) (silent), a man speaking to young adults about the Youth Advisory Commission which advises the mayor and city council (April 20, 1972) (sound), and a display of art and artifacts at the Wood Center at the University of Alaska Fairbanks (story titled "Asian Festival") (April 15, 1972) (silent).

: [KTVF television news footage and stories from Fairbanks between 1967 and 1977]; Footage includes politicians mingling at a cocktail party in Juneau, Terry Miller for U.S. Senate political commercials with Senator Ted Stevens, Jim O'Sullivan for State House campaign commercials including C-130 Hercules airplanes from Alaska International Air and Weaver Brothers trucking operations during pipeline construction, Garry Russell splicing a motion picture film (1977), elderly men playing pool at the Pioneers Home in Fairbanks, sled dog races in Fairbanks with a reporter, knuckle-hop contestants including Willie Hensley, 1967 flood scenes from Fairbanks, people ice-fishing near Fairbanks, unidentified women at a North Star Council on Aging meeting (1977), an American Legion building, a couple talking on telephones, sea gulls, Ivory Jack's log building, and an unidentified woman.

: A Letter for Debra Anne; AAF-13990 and AAF-13991 are presented by the U.S. Department of the Interior's Bureau of Indian Affairs. Both films contain identical scenes with AAF-13990 narrated in English and AAF-13991 narrated in Yupik. The program is about the development of the Primary Eskimo Program (PEP), a bilingual language program introduced in Yupik-speaking Alaska Native communities of southwest Alaska. Opening credits list Area Director Clarence Antioquia, Assistant Area Director Emil Kowalczyk, Federal Program Director William Menojah, Jr., Title 1 Director Willard Walters, Agency Superintendent of Education S. William Benton, and Education Specialist Calvin Lundy. Cinematographer is Frank Johnson. Editor is Guy Bishop. Storyteller is John Haymer. Yupik interpreter is Oscar Alexie. The film is written and directed by Jerry Warner, and it's produced by Jerry Warner and Associates. The program contains scenes in Kwethluk and Akiachak, Alaska, including elementary-aged students learning to speak, read, and write in both Yupik and English. In 2018, Juliana Carlson, originally from Kwethluk, identified the following individuals who appear in the film: Ethel Peter (at 01:42, center girl with red and black shirt); Deborah, Mabel or Mary Constantine (at 02:16); Deborah Ann Michael of Kwethluk (at 5:07); the Kwethluk First Grade class including teacher Lillian Michael McGill, John Andrew, Jr., Paul Jackson, Anastasia Michael, Wassiliie Paul, Juliana Guy, Matthew Dillon, Minnie Nicori, William Nicolai and Olga Nick (at 05:41); Kwethluk First Graders John Andrew, Jr. and Juliana Guy (at 06:16); Lynn Jones (at 07:24); Alice Alexie, Veronica Michael (left), and Daniel Jackson (at 07:58); Samson Mann and Matthew Nicori (at 17:39); Kwethluk BIA first grade teacher Lillian Michael McGill (at 19:22); James Michael, Lillian Michael and Lola Evan (at 22:47); Sophie Owens Lowery (at 23:21); Kwethluk 3rd and 4th Graders (at 23:55); Elena Pasitnal (left), Elena Chimegalrea (center), and Marla Evan (right) (at 24:29); Deborah Michael of Kwethluk (at 26:46); and Wassillie Paul of Kwethluk (at 27:20).

: A Man for the '70s; This is a 1968 campaign film about the background and political vision of Mike Gravel prior to his election to the U.S. Senate. Bob Bartlett, Hubert Humphrey, and Ted Kennedy are briefly seen. The film covers the topics of campaign stresses, the development of oil fields in Alaska, and the need to create jobs in Alaska. The film reviews Gravel's childhood in Springfield, Massachusetts, his years in the military, and his family life in Anchorage and Washington D.C. Scenes in Alaska include Alaska Railroad travel, statehood activity in Anchorage and Juneau, a trailer park or mobile home park, building construction, Juneau, Nome ?, union halls, Sitka, and other unidentified scenes.

: [Mayor H.A. "Red" Boucher interview about the 1967 Fairbanks flood]; Fairbanks Mayor H.A. "Red" Boucher is interviewed by an Anchorage television news reporter at the Anchorage airport about conditions in Fairbanks as water recedes from the August 1967 flood.

: [Mining with Bob Young 1970s]; The original narrated DVD is titled “Mining with Bob Young 1970s.” The original silent film is labeled “Bob Young Mining.” Note that image quality is in some respects superior in the HDR scan. This is the narrated version. The film contains footage of Bob Young and John Baker with a Caterpillar D-9 bulldozer traveling in winter from Talkeetna to Falls Creek, a bulldozer breaking though ice on a river and crossing through deep water, a bulldozer breaking a trail through snow, an Invader snowmachine parked at a summit, Bob Young building a shower, placer mine scenes, a man sluicing and panning for gold, a bulldozer pushing gravel into a sluice box, a bulldozer pushing tailings piles, a man removing screens from sluice boxes, the man shaking and cleaning rugs at the bottom of the sluice box, Bob Young drinking a can of Pepsi, Bob Young panning and holding a pan full of gold, Bob Young measuring and weighing gold, and Bob Young’s grandmother and mother cooking in a kitchen.

: North of the Arctic Circle: Human Values and the Land; AAF-13935 is a program about changes in the communities of Point Hope, Kaktovik, Arctic Village and Anaktuvuk Pass, Alaska, due to the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act. Filmed and written by Billie and Sam Wright. Film made possible by the Alaska Humanities Forum and the Tasseraluk Institute of Brooks Range, Alaska., In 1968, Samuel A. and Billie Wright moved to Alaska’s Brooks Range, where they built a cabin they named “Koviashuvik” at the edge of Bob Johnson Lake north of Bettles. That same year, they founded the non-profit Tasseraluk Institute, headquartered in the Brooks Range, for “educational, religious, scientific and literary research and development in social and human values.” The Wrights made films about wilderness life, continued Robert Marshall’s research on northern white spruce migration, published a journal titled “View from the Top of the World,” authored several books, and produced a report and documentary film titled “North of the Arctic Circle: Human Values and the Land.” Both were ordained Unitarian Universalist clergy, and Sam was a minister for congregations throughout the United States, including Anchorage, Alaska, from 1970 to 1974.

: Russian power progress; A group of American Senators travels to the Soviet Union to visit new hydroelectric facilities. They conclude that the Soviet Union will pass the United States in industrial output. According to the film, the only way to prevent this development is for the United States to commit to large scale hydroelectric projects such as the proposed Rampart Dam.

: Russian Power Progress; A group of American senators travel to the Soviet Union to visit new hydroelectric facilities. They conclude that the Soviet Union will pass the United States in industrial output. According to the film, the only way to prevent this development is for the United States to commit to large scale hydroelectric projects such as the proposed Rampart Dam.

: [Senator Bob Bartlett talks with Alaska Governor William A. Egan about a State Department meeting on fisheries]; Senator Bob Bartlett introduces Alaska Governor William A. Egan, who speaks about a meeting he attended with officials at the State Department to discuss fisheries issues. Egan talks about concerns over foreign fishing, particularly off the coasts of Kodiak and the Alaska Peninsula. He mentions bottom-fisheries, King Crab-fisheries, and shrimp-fisheries. Bartlett and Egan discuss Japanese fishing vessels discovered fishing in the Shelikof Strait, which were seized by the State of Alaska. This seizure led to the meeting between Alaska and State Department officials to address concerns about foreign fishing fleets in Alaska waters. Bartlett tells of Egan's forceful nature in dealing with the State Department.

: [Senator Gruening presents a Carl Hayden tribute]; U.S. Senator Ernest Gruening introduces a program about Senator Carl Hayden's role in helping pass the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution and a special award presented to him by the League of Women Voters.

: [Senator Gruening talks about Alaska-related legislation]; Senator Gruening speaks on his proposed legislation to allow ferries from British Columbia to connect with Alaska Ferries.

: [Senator Gruening talks about Alaska-related legislation]; Senator Gruening speaks on his proposed amendment to the Jones Act to allow natural gas shipments from Alaska to Hawaii on foreign ships.

: [Senator Gruening talks with A. Ben Shallit]; Alaska Senator Ernest Gruening interviews A. Ben Shallit about developing the Cripple Creek Coal Mine near Healy for the Northern Public Service Company and building a power plant and distribution system to Fairbanks.

: [Senator Gruening talks with Adm. Don Morrison]; U.S. Senator Ernest Gruening talks with Vice Admiral Don Morrison, assistant commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard, about his service in Alaska. They discuss the Will Rogers monument in Barrow, coast guard plans in Alaska, and a recent instance in which Cook Inlet was opened by a coast guard icebreaker.

: [Senator Gruening talks with Admiral A.C. Richmond]; Senator Ernest Gruening interviews U.S. Coast Guard Admiral Richmond about his retirement and the history of the U.S. Coast Guard in Alaska.

: [Senator Gruening talks with Admiral C.C. Knapp]; Senator Gruening interviews Admiral C.C. Knapp, Commandant of the United States Coast Guard 17th District in Alaska, about enforcement of the three mile limit, monitoring foreign fishing fleets, and other duties.

: [Senator Gruening talks with A.S. "Mike" Monroney]; Senator Ernest Gruening interviews Oklahoma Senator Monroney about pending legislation that will help develop airports in Alaska.

: [Senator Gruening talks with Barry Jackson]; Senator Ernest Gruening interviews Fairbanks City Attorney Barry Jackson about the Civil Aeronautics Board review of the Pan American World Airways route application for a Tokyo-Fairbanks-New York route.

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