About the Alaska State Archives
Our History and Collection
The Alaska State Archives was established in 1970 in order to preserve permanently valuable government records that document Alaska's history and make these records available in a secure, professional, and responsible manner. With the establishment of the State Archives in 1970, State and select Federal records were transferred into the custody of the State Archives. In agreement with National Archives, Federal records transferred to the State Archives included the District (1884-1912) and Territorial (1912-1959) Governor's papers, as well as the records of the District and Territorial courts. In 2014, with the closure of the National Archives, Anchorage Branch, additional Federal records were transferred into the custody of the State Archives, including additional District and Territorial court records and the records of the Alaska Railroad Corporation (established 1914). As of 2016, the State Archives held 25,000 cubic feet of archival records, the largest collection in Alaska.
The Alaska State Archives is situated within the Division of Library, Archives, and Museums, Department of Education and Early Development. The Alaska State Archives resides in the Andrew P. Kashevaroff Building in Juneau, alongside the Alaska State Library and Museum. The Alaska State Library's Historical Collections also collects historic materials, primarily rare books and archival records not created by a government entity.
Our Service
The State Archives serves both the citizens of Alaska and state agencies that create and administer public records. The Records & Information Management Service (RIMS) consults with state agencies to create records retention and disposition schedules for both permanent and temporary records. Staff administer two records center storage and service contracts for over 130,000 cubic feet of non-current state records.
If you are a state agency and records and information management assistance, please visit our Records & Information Management Service
If you require genealogical research assistance, please visit our Alaska Genealogy Guide.
Consult How to Find Alaska School Records for information regarding school records.
Archives and the Community
The Alaska State Archives offers insights into the history of Alaska through the myriad records located on its shelves. If you would like to discover a long lost relative, research an Alaskan business, delve into the history behind a legislative bill, or expand your understanding of a moment in Alaska's history, then the State Archives is a great place to start.