The Alaska State Library Historical Collection includes over 160 videos digitized and made available to view online free via YouTube. Generally dating from the 1980s, dozens of the videos relate to the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill in Prince William Sound, but there are also great interviews with artists, authors, teachers, politicians, fishermen, mushers, and many others. There are historic films such as an audio/video collection documenting the 1974 “Conference on Kenai Area History,” the 1990 swearing-in ceremony of Governor Walter Hickel, and an audio file of a 45 RPM phonographic recording of the Alaska Flag Song issued by Royal Records, Douglas, Alaska, ca. 1940's-1950's.
The Heritage of Alaska series was a weekly television and radio program created by Elmer Rasmuson, and hosted by Elmer Rasmuson and Roger Laube, which aired in the 1960s. The series, with 36 five-minute episodes, highlighted various Alaskan subjects in history, art, and literature. 22 episodes are online; in this one, Elmer Rasmuson explains how Juneau became the capitol of Alaska:
In a different episode, Rasmuson explains the then-new and exciting book, The Alaska Dictionary of Place Names, and tells the history of the word ‘cheechako,’ and another video from the series offers advice on eight great books for any Alaskan library.
There is a wonderful interview with Libby Riddles and Shelley Gill in which they discuss the Exxon Valdez oil spill, relations between Alaska and Russia, Libby’s Iditarod championship, and Shelley’s writing.
A great documentary on Juneau artist Rie Munoz tells how she came to Alaska, and details how she creates her unique and beautiful art, which has been recreated in other mediums such as stained glass and tapestries.
Browse through the titles, with videos ranging from Governor Sarah Palin Unveiling the Alaska State Quarter in 2007 to Pope John Paul II and President Ronald Reagan in Fairbanks to the Alaska Territorial Guard singing and dancing in 1944, there’s something of interest to everyone!