JUNEAU — The public is invited to be part of a TV audience for the taping of “The Alaska Legacy of William Seward,” a program discussing the legacy of U.S. Secretary William H. Seward. The TV show, featuring a panel of eminent Alaskan historians and academics, is sponsored by the Alaska Historical Commission, chaired by Lieutenant Governor Byron Mallott.
The statewide special is the first in a series of events commemorating Alaska’s sesquicentennial, the 150th year since Seward signed the Treaty of Cession with Russia in 1867. The treaty began the process of transferring the vast territory to the United States.
The hour long TV taping in Juneau on Wednesday, Sept. 21 begins at 5:30 p.m. at Forum@360, a studio at KTOO TV studios. The public is invited to attend the taping, which will be broadcast at 8 p.m., Friday, Sept. 30 on 360 North public television, or may be viewed on-demand at 360North.org. for broadcast on statewide public television.
The forum panelists include two of Alaska’s premier historians, Professor Stephen Haycox of the University of Alaska Anchorage and Terrence Cole of the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Both have published books and monographs about Alaska’s past. Haycox is best known for his one-volume history, “Alaska: an American Colony,” while Cole is recognized for his book on the Alaska statehood movement, “Fighting for the 49th Star.” Haycox will serve as moderator.
Also joining the panel will be Dalee Sambo Dorough, PhD, an Alaska Native (Inuit) associate professor at UAA who specializes in international indigenous human rights; Ross Coen, a doctoral candidate in history at the University of Washington and editor of “Alaska History,” the journal of the Alaska Historical Society; Jon Ross, former director of the Alaska Native Heritage Center who is currently working on the recovery and reconstruction of Denaina languages; and Wayne Jensen, a Juneau architect and co-chair of the Seward Sculpture Committee.
Seward’s mixed legacy in Alaska will be the topic of discussion. On one hand, he is recognized as one of the great statesmen and humanitarians in American history, and on the other, a person who initiated the American colonization of Alaska, a process that nearly wiped out indigenous populations along with their languages and cultures.
The taping coincides with the joint conference of the Alaska Historical Society and Museums Alaska, an annual meeting that rotates through Alaskan communities. The conference and workshops begin Wednesday, Sept. 21, and extend through Saturday morning, September 24.
According to Bob Banghart, deputy director of the division of Alaska State Libraries, Archives and Museums, this will be the first large meeting hosted at the brand new Andrew P. Kashevaroff building. “We’ve had smaller gatherings, but this is the first full-on conference,” Banghart says. He predicts more than 200 historians and museum professionals will attend. The conference is open to the public.
The annual joint conference has been held in communities as remote as Dutch Harbor. Rebecca Poulson, president of the Alaska Historical Society, says she expects a strong showing. “Juneau is convenient for many participants,” she noted. “And this year, our conference will be held in the beautiful new state museum.”
For the TV studio recording, doors @360 open to the public at 5 p.m. and close at 5:30 when the 55-minute recording begins. Seating is on a first come basis. A question and answer session will follow. @360 is located in the KTOO building at 360 Egan Drive in downtown Juneau.
Find out more about the meeting of the Alaska Historical Society and Museums Alaska 2016 at www.maahs2016.org.
