Anchorage Museum Moving Image and Audio Preservation Project

FAIN: PG-51831-13

Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center (Anchorage, AK 99501-3544)
Sara J. Piasecki (Project Director: May 2012 to July 2014)

The hiring of two consultants to assess the condition of a moving-image collection and the archival rehousing of 48,000 feet of films in 8mm, 16mm, and 35mm formats; reels of videotape; inspection of 1/4" reel-to-reel, cassette, and Stereo 8 audio formats; and preparation of a preservation plan for these materials. The films date from the 1930s through 1970s and document aspects of Alaskan history. Among these films are the most complete 35mm print of "The Chechahcos," a 1924 silent film which was the first feature filmed entirely on location in Alaska; "People of the Tundra" and "Eskimo Guardsmen," both depicting Eskimo life and culture during World War Two"; "Alaska: 49th State"; and from the early 1990s: "Laurence of Alaska" and "Spell of the Yukon." The project would identify and stabilize fragile acetate motion picture film formats for long-term preservation; collect information about intellectual content of those materials to provide to researchers; inspect the audio formats in select collections; investigate other audio and video formats currently held by the Alaska Resource Center; and prepare a long-term preservation plan for all audiovisual materials in the collections.

The Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center's Bob and Evangeline Atwood Alaska Resource Center seeks funding for a project to complete condition assessment and archival rehousing of moving image films, inspect 1/4" and cassette audio formats, and prepare a preservation plan for those materials. The moving images come from multiple collections and all document the history of Alaska. Films date from circa 1930s through 1970s, and depict a variety of activities and events in Alaskan history, including Alaska Native arts and culture, construction of the Alaska Highway, and life in rural Alaska. Many of the films were not commercially produced and are unique or rare prints. Audio materials include recordings of Alaska Native stories and songs and interviews with Alaska pioneers and Alaskan artists. These unique primary sources provide irreplaceable views of rural life, Alaska Native culture, and societal changes from territorial days through Alaskan statehood.