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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.

1 to 30 of 589 Objects
[1947 Nalukataq whale feast at Barrow]
[1947 Nalukataq whale feast at Barrow]
Reed Bovee interviewed filmmaker Bill Bacon in 2010, and the following information about these films is based on Bovee's notes from that interview: “Barrow, Nulakatuk, 1947. After a successful whaling season they have a Nulakatuk celebration which is to celebrate the parting of the whales soul so there is no hard feeling to the whales so they will come again the next year. All the whaling captains get together and have this celebration and if there are a lot of whales killed that season they may have two or three celebrations on different days.", From the Alaska Film Archives, Elmer E. Rasmuson Library, University of Alaska Fairbanks., From the William W. Bacon III collection. APR Collection Number 2015-203., AAF-20,079 transferred in 2016 by Reflex Technologies of Burbank, California, to Blu-ray Disc, DVD, and Mac-format external hard drive. Some light and color corrections may have been applied to Blu-ray disc and DVD by Reflex Technologies., Filmmaker's original labeling scheme has film AAF-20,079 numbered as Bacon 17, and titled “1947 Nulakatuk Whale Feast, Barrow.” Film contains scenes of whale and muktuk being distributed at the Nalukataq whale feast at Barrow, people eating and celebrating, blanket toss, men in military uniforms, Alaska Native dancers and drummers, children running and chasing after large vehicle, and more blanket toss.
[Senator Gruening talks with Ralph Rivers]
[Senator Gruening talks with Ralph Rivers]
U.S. Senator Ernest Gruening interviews Alaska representative Ralph Rivers about legislation that will affect the Homer area. Congressman Rivers and Senator Gruening extend Jefferson and Jackson Day greetings to the residents of Homer.
[Chalkyitsik films - part 2 of 2]
[Chalkyitsik films - part 2 of 2]
These notes are from Jennifer Jolis of Fairbanks and UAF Prof. Stanley Edwin of Fort Yukon, who viewed this film in the Alaska Film Archives offices at the Rasmuson Library, UAF, on November 21, 2017. Jolis was a VISTA volunteer and Edwin was a 6-year-old growing up in Chalkyitsik, Alaska, during 1966-1967, when Jolis and others shot these films. AAF-13934 contains scenes of Eagle-the-dog; slough where fall fishing and ice fishing happened; Bobby Moses as a boy; Alice and Carl Moses cutting moose; Marianne Nicholson; Patty Salmon in canvas-covered canoe; summer of 1966 scenes; cabins with poles sticking up for radio reception; cabins; greenhouse and the old school, which was replaced in 1967 because of flooding; Bob Mott’s barge; Fort Yukon boat; Bill Fredson changing stovepipe; children playing on oil barrels include Stanley Edwin, Darryl Salmon, Robert Moses, Paul Edwin, and Agnes Herbert (wearing a scarf); unknown boy on swing; girl on swing is Isabelle Salmon wearing red; Bill Fredson with hand over face; scenes from flying over Chalkyitsik – possibly in Wien airplane – when Jolis was first arriving in 1966; fall time of year; Red Bluff, so called because of the reddish color of the soil; Johnny Edwin and possibly Woody Salmon in plaid shirt (maybe Paul Herbert shot this portion of the film); and Bill Fredson at lake.
[Adler-Tollefson Family films - 7]
[Adler-Tollefson Family films - 7]
This film contains scenes of family activities that appear to be mostly outside the state of Alaska.
[Goodnews Bay Mining Company and Platinum area scenes 1]
[Goodnews Bay Mining Company and Platinum area scenes 1]
AAF-16390 is a super-8mm film labeled, “Start flight into camp, end with [illegible] and fox.” The film contains aerial views of snowy mountains as seen from a small airplane, coming in for a landing over a spruce forest onto a snowy runway, aerial scenes of a small settlement [possibly Good News Bay?], coming in for another landing on a snowy runway [possibly the Platinum airport?], a grab dredger moving what looks like chunks of ice, a dog team in the distance, a snowshoe hare running, and four men working with what appears to be a clamshell bucket while a smaller grab dredge removes ice from a slushy pond in the background. Additional scenes include a dredge that appears to have a huge chunk of ice stuck on its bucket, a snowy landscape, a helicopter, a group of people shoveling [possibly digging clams] in a tidal area, snowy mountains in the background, a mining camp and surrounding areas, a smaller dredge, a general overview of area, a fox, and a grab dredge with another large piece of machinery.
[Senator Gruening talks with Edward Kennedy]
[Senator Gruening talks with Edward Kennedy]
Senator Gruening interviews Senator Edward Kennedy about a proposed swimming pool for Juneau and the importance of knowing how to swim.
[Burrows Advertising commercials 9]
[Burrows Advertising commercials 9]
AAF-16100 is labeled, “Burrows Edit Master No. 10 January 1994,” and it contains the following television commercials from about 1994: Compeau’s - Turbojet, Seadoo FL and Seadoo SP; Floormart - Special; Jackovich - Woodpile; Colonel Abner’s Carpet - Clearance; Northern Power Sports - Yamaha Clearance; M&O Auto Parts - Machine Shop; Fairbanks Fast Foto - Mega Stores; University Center - Presidents’ Day; Floormart - Teaser; Compeau’s - Spring Break 1 and 2; University Center - H&R Block and Easter; Woodriver School - Spring Bazaar; Jackovich - Optima; Floormart - Wood; Fairbanks Fast Foto - Think Fast 1 and 2; M&O Auto Parts - National Car Care; University Center 1 - 4; Floorcraft - Stock Exchange; University Center 5 - 8; Fairbanks Fast Foto - Paying Too Much; M&O Auto Parts - North Pole and Open; University Center - 101 Gold Give Away; M&O Auto Parts - Quaker State NP Open; Compeau’s; and Alaska Factory Direct Furniture.
[Senator Gruening talks with James A. Williams]
[Senator Gruening talks with James A. Williams]
Senator Ernest Gruening interviews James A. Williams, Alaska Department of Natural Resources Director of the Division of Mines and Minerals, about a proposed bill that would subsidize gold mining and increase national gold reserves.
[Alaska On Line: Red Boucher interviews David Fauske]
[Alaska On Line: Red Boucher interviews David Fauske]
In this episode of Alaska On Line, Red Boucher interviews David Fauske, general manager of the Arctic Slope Telephone Association, about telecommunications on the North Slope. The program was recorded on October 26, 1996.
[Senator Gruening talks with Merle Smith]
[Senator Gruening talks with Merle Smith]
Senator Ernest Gruening interviews Cordova Air Service President Merle "Mudhole" Smith about airline development in Alaska and problems encountered while trying to expand service to the Kenai Peninsula.
[Arnie M. Lee and Family collection - 9]
[Arnie M. Lee and Family collection - 9]
This video is composed of footage from four film reels. AAF-16334 is from a film likely shot by Lee family friend Fred Torsak. It is labeled “1936?, Weeks Field airplanes, Cushman Street Bridge, Dad, dog team, polar bear.” (a post office date stamp on the film box says July 26, 1937). The film contains footage of airplanes at Weeks Field in Fairbanks, a Pacific Alaska Airways hangar, Cushman Street in Fairbanks, the Samson’s hardware store building, Cushman Street bridge over the Chena River, a polar bear in a cage, and people riding in a dog sled. AAF-16335 is from a film likely shot by Lee family friend Fred Torsak. It is labeled, “Fairbanks Alaska, Gold Dredge mining.” (The post office date stamp on the film box is April 2, 1938). The film contains footage of a large placer mining site, hydraulic giants at work, a man with a camera filming the mining operations, an overburden being blasted or falling in large chunks, a mining camp, a man walking along the pipeline (Davidson ditch or siphon?), a dredge at work, and tailings piles. AAF-16336 is from a film likely shot by Lee family friend Fred Torsak. It is labeled “Gold mining with great cleanup gold.” (The post office date stamp on the film box is February 13, 1939). The film contains color footage of hydraulic giants and a bulldozer at work, a man in a large sluice box, a man holding a large pan full of gold, people working a smaller sluice box, and Main School in Fairbanks. AAF-16337 is from a film likely shot by Lee family friend Fred Torsak. It is labeled “Weeks Field, dog team, Main School.” (The post office date stamp on the film box is also February 13, 1939). The film contains color footage of a dog team next to an airplane, a woman taking photos of a dog team, an airplane flying overhead, Main school in Fairbanks, and the wooden Fairbanks Airplane Corporation hangar on Rickert's field situated across from Weeks Field on Cushman Street in Fairbanks.
[Senator Gruening talks with Mortimer M. Caplin]
[Senator Gruening talks with Mortimer M. Caplin]
Senator Ernest Gruening interviews Internal Revenue Service Commissioner Mortimer M. Caplin about his recent trip to Alaska and the establishment of an IRS District Office in Alaska.
[Developing Alaska's resources and agriculture]
[Developing Alaska's resources and agriculture]
Program AAF-8361 is titled "Developing Alaska's Resources - The Role of the University of Alaska Fairbanks,” and “Developing Alaska's Agriculture - The Role of the School of Agriculture and Land Resources Management." Program contains images of the University of Alaska Agricultural Experiment Station in Fairbanks, greenhouse interiors, cows in barn and in a pasture at UAF, and forestry studies. Those interviewed include: Dean of the School of Agriculture and Land Resources Management James Drew, Professor of Plant Physiology Don Dinkel, Charles Knight of the Agricultural Experiment Station, Assistant Professor of Animal Science Fred Husby, Robyn White, Richard Feia, Extension Forester and Instructor of Forest Management Tony Gasbarro, and Assistant Professor of Agricultural Education Carla Kirts. Program was produced in 1982 by the University of Alaska Public Affairs Office in cooperation with KUAC-TV, with producer and narrator Karen Cedzo.
[Senator Gruening talks with John Havelock]
[Senator Gruening talks with John Havelock]
Senator Ernest Gruening interviews Whitehouse Fellow John Havelock about his appointment and his work with the Department of Agriculture on Alaska projects involving grazing lands, timber projects and rural electrification.
Part 3: Impact of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) on Alaska 1971-2011
Part 3: Impact of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) on Alaska 1971-2011
The University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) Department of Alaska Native Studies and Rural Development (DANSRD) hosted a series of panel discussions and presentations collectively titled “The Impact of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) on Alaska 1971-2011.” The event was held in the Wood Center Ballroom on the UAF campus on October 5 and 6, 2011, in observation of the 40th anniversary of the passage of the act, and resulted in nine DVD recordings. Part three (AAF-18178) includes a welcome by Master of Ceremonies Sharon McConnell followed by Gordon L. Pullar introducing the lunchtime speaker, U.S. Senator Fred Harris. Following Harris' talk are images showing photos and biographies of Gordon L. Pullar, Fred Harris, and photos of many other groups and individuals associated with passage of ANCSA.
[Vince and Evelyn Guzzardi collection 2]
[Vince and Evelyn Guzzardi collection 2]
This film consists of 3 reels of 8mm film that have been combined onto one reel. Reel 1 is labeled “2-0084” and contains footage of a parade in front of Pinska’s in Fairbanks, the University of Alaska power plant and campus in Fairbanks, and a Wien hangar and airport tower. Reel 2 is unlabeled and contains aerial footage of Anchorage-area damage and the movement of earth following the 1964 earthquake (footage is shaky due to camera movement and deterioration of the emulsion on the film). Reel 3 is labeled “Shrine Circus” and contains footage of a circus.
[Stenberg films 6]
[Stenberg films 6]
This is a film that was developed in June 1959 and the early 1960s and is labeled, “St. Juneau - end is [illegible].” The film contains scenes of southeast Alaska, aerial views from a seaplane in flight, views from a small powerboat, a Grumman seaplane at a dock (N1019N), families swimming, a Petersburg parade, the Petersburg 4-H Club with a banner in a parade, a family camping and swimming, a wildfire along the roadside, and a bulldozer clearing a fire line.
Part 1: Impact of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) on Alaska 1971-2011
Part 1: Impact of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) on Alaska 1971-2011
The University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) Department of Alaska Native Studies and Rural Development (DANSRD) hosted a series of panel discussions and presentations collectively titled “The Impact of the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) on Alaska 1971-2011.” The event was held in the Wood Center Ballroom on the UAF campus on October 5 and 6, 2011, in observation of the 40th anniversary of the passage of the act, and resulted in nine DVD recordings. Part one (AAF-18176) includes a welcome by Master of Ceremonies Sharon McConnell, followed by opening remarks from Governor of Alaska Sean Parnell, via video; University of Alaska Fairbanks Chancellor Brian Rogers; and Vice Chancellor for Rural, Community and Native Education Bernice Joseph. This is followed by a panel discussion covering reflection and introduction on the economic impact of ANCSA, with panelists Dr. Willie Hensley, John Borbridge, Jr., Dr. Emil Notti, and Alaska State Sen. John Sackett. Following the discussion are images showing photos and biographies of Sharon McConnell, Brian Rogers, Bernice Joseph, Miranda Wright, John Borbridge, Jr., John Sackett, Emil Notti, and William (Willie) Iggiagruk Hensley.
[Alaska On Line: Red Boucher interviews Bob Poe]
[Alaska On Line: Red Boucher interviews Bob Poe]
In this episode of Alaska On Line, Red Boucher interviews state Y2K coordinator Bob Poe about the state's Y2K preparations. The program was recorded on August 1, 1998.
[Alaska On Line: Red Boucher interviews John Crabb, Brad Swenson, and Destyne Erickson-Taft]
[Alaska On Line: Red Boucher interviews John Crabb, Brad Swenson, and Destyne Erickson-Taft]
In this episode of Alaska On Line, Red Boucher interviews TV producers John Crabb, Brad Swenson, and Destyne Erickson-Taft about TV production in Alaska. The program was recorded on May 31, 1997
[Arnie M. Lee and Family collection - 4]
[Arnie M. Lee and Family collection - 4]
Notes with this film say “1946 DC3 PAA FAI-Norway at Weeks Field Oct, Winter in Fairbanks lots snow, Emil and Jergen, Canada? dam, PAA plane DC3, gold dredge, Fairbanks winter carnival parade, reindeer Ingrid and Norman, Norway ski jump Holmekolen, Seattle – New York Farm.” Writing inside the film can says “Lee Family going to old country, Fairbanks winter time, Vancouver Island, back to Fairbanks, Dredge No. 3 1946, Fairbanks Creek Dredge 2, Winter Carnival, Skibowel [Skibowl?] Seattle, Graham, Palsbo." The film contains footage of a Pan American World Airways Clipper DC-3 airplane, frost-covered trees and snow-covered homes in Fairbanks, a mammoth tusk leaning against a utility pole, scenes outside Alaska, a Pan American airplane, a dredge in operation, a downtown Fairbanks Winter Carnival parade, a Pioneers of Alaska float, a Fraternal Order of Eagles float, other parade marchers and floats, a captive reindeer, and ski-jumping and other scenes outside Alaska.
[Alaska On Line: Red Boucher interviews Paloma O'Riley]
[Alaska On Line: Red Boucher interviews Paloma O'Riley]
In this episode of Alaska On Line, Red Boucher interviews Y2K activist Paloma O'Riley about community preparedness for Y2K. The program was recorded on April 14, 1999. This interview begins on AAF-8779.
[Alaska Visitors Association film]
[Alaska Visitors Association film]
This 35mm film from the Alaska Visitors Association shows eagles, whales, rivers, sled dog teams, aerial views, mountains, seals, hills, forests, moose, sheep, caribou, geese, rivers, ducks, bears, a cruise ship, fish, Prince William Sound, totem poles, a blanket toss, Alaska Native peoples, recreational activities, and waterfalls. A narrator encourages people to visit Alaska following the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill.
[Senator Gruening talks with Martha Bartlett and David Martin]
[Senator Gruening talks with Martha Bartlett and David Martin]
Senator Ernest Gruening interviews Alaskans David Martin and Martha Bartlett about their trip to Washington D.C. to attend the national 4-H conference.
[1967 Fairbanks flood]
[1967 Fairbanks flood]
This film features what are likely relief efforts during the 1967 Fairbanks flood. A handwritten label on the film box says "Dan[?] airport, Kul[?], Church of God, Westgate, A67, Mom[?], Henry and High school, [?] Day, [?], Flood."
[White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad, Bennett Lake]
[White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad, Bennett Lake]
This film is labeled “Train.” The footage contains scenes of travel on the White Pass and Yukon Route Railroad, Bennett train station in Canada, a log cabin, the Trail of ’98 sign, a railroad trestle over a gorge, an Inspiration Point sign, people gathered at a monument, Skagway, a ferry, an engineer, and a church at Bennett Lake.
[Senator Gruening talks with Rex W. Whitton]
[Senator Gruening talks with Rex W. Whitton]
U.S. Senator Ernest Gruening interviews Federal Highway Administrator Rex Whitton about the need to expand the highway system in Alaska.
[George Steck collection 13]
[George Steck collection 13]
Footage includes the Binley Family Riverboat Discovery I, a group of people traveling down the Tanana River to Nenana on the Discovery, and people stopping for a picnic and to look at old buildings along the way.
[Senator Gruening talks with John C. "Jack" Doyle]
[Senator Gruening talks with John C. "Jack" Doyle]
Senator Ernest Gruening interviews John C. "Jack" Doyle about the Alaska Legislative Council.
[Senator Gruening talks with Sig Wien]
[Senator Gruening talks with Sig Wien]
U.S. Senator Ernest Gruening interviews Sig Wien about Wien Alaska Airlines and a proposed route expansion to Juneau. Gruening also talks about Sig Wien rescuing him and his pilot, John Cross.