Libraries, Archives, Museums: Performing arts in Alaska primary sources: Alaska State Library Historical Collections

Performing arts in Alaska primary sources

This guide contains collections of primary source material relating to performing arts in Alaska, held by archives, libraries, and museums across the state. This guide is not comprehensive and may not include every collection containing primary source material relating to Alaskan performing arts.

Click on the linked collection names for more detailed collection descriptions. Not every collection has a detailed description online, and it may be necessary to contact the institution that owns a collection for more information.

Selected items related to Alaskan performing arts from many of the institutions represented in this guide have been digitized and added to Alaska's Digital Archives. You can use the search box at the top right of the homepage to search for these materials.

If you represent an institution that holds primary source materials related to performing arts in Alaska and would like to see them included in this guide, please contact the UAA/APU Consortium Library Archives and Special Collections.

Alaska State Library Historical Collections

Listed below are many collections held at the Alaska State Library Historical Collections. Most of the links are to guides to the listed collections which may contain more information about those specific collections. This list is not a comprehensive listing of all materials at the Historical Collections related to performing arts in Alaska.

MS 0279: Alaska Performing Artists for Peace [Also referred to as: Alaskan Performing Artists for Peace]
A mixed collection documenting the growing relations between Alaska and Russia made possible through the efforts of Dixie Belcher as well as other members of the Alaskan Performing Artists for Peace and others.
MS 0032: Arts, Alaska, Inc.
One-act plays by Alaskan playwrights entered in the Playwright Competition Anchorage, 1978.
Jack and Mabel Burford photograph collection, [ca. 1900-1980].
The photographs document many aspects of life in Southeast Alaska, centering primarily on the activities of the Burford family. Interesting subjects documented in the early photographs include: J.B. Burford & Company, retailers office machinery; the Novelty Four, a jazz band made up of Pat Neghel, Earle Hunter, Jack Burford and Glenn Oakes; and the Burford family's MS Donjac.
PCA 0521: Byers, Shina and Margeson, Maude
Photograph album, framed photos, and scrapbook documenting the West Coast performance tour of entertainers Shina Byers, Marge Margeson, Maude Margeson, and Young Norman (Snooks) Margeson. Primarily Juneau and Dawson, ca. 1900.
PCA 0135: Haida Canoe Ceremony, Juneau, Alaska, Photograph Collection , 1977.
The images show Tlingit and Haida ceremonial dances, ceremonial clothing, hats, masks, images of the canoe being paddled to the dock at Juneau, the crowds, the canoe with close up views of the prow.
Juneau Jazz & Classics, 1987 - [ongoing].
Juneau Jazz and Classics music festival programs, brochures, fliers, and postcards. Juneau Jazz and Classics was started in 1986 by Linda Rosenthal, a known violinist, who sought to bring classical music to remote Juneau. Linda, together with folk musician Bob Banghart and other musicians and community members coordinated the first annual festival in May of 1987. The festival has since expanded to include Jazz, Blues, and Gospel music. Free and ticketed performances and workshops in various venues throughout Juneau comprise the week-long festival.
PCA 0263: Kake Potlatch and Totem Raising Photograph Collection, 1971.
Kake, Alaska, portraits, Tlingit costume and dances, Aug. 30 -Sept 2, 1971.
MS 0004-14-004: King, David W.
Poems, plays, editorials, the Hell Whooper. by Jason Walrushorn (David W. King), Nome, Alaska, 1901-1902.
Nowell family papers, ca. 1883-1950.
Includes primarily correspondence, programs, and other materials relating to the musical career of violinist Willis E. Nowell; also includes notes, clippings, legal documents, and memorabilia pertaining to other Nowell family members.
MS 0210: Sawyer, Wilson, Alaskan Symphony Collection, 1945-1976
The collection includes the original 1945 manuscript of the Symphony No. 1, the Alaskan Symphony. It also includes correspondence and memorabilia regarding the Symphony and its performance. Other memorabilia as well as a tape cassette and CD of the Alaskan Symphony are in the collection. A reel tape of Robert Keys Clark, Opus 39 concerto as well as an unidentified reel are included, probably because they were also composers considered for the 1975 simulcast.
MS 0038: Snow family papers.
Papers of the George Snow family - Crystal Snow Jenne, Anna Snow, Marty Snow, and their work in the theater and play scripts, 1884-1944.
PCA 0154: Snow Family photographs.
Portraits of the George Snow family and their work in the theater, the Alaska Yukon Pioneers, and views of Juneau, Alaska, 1880s-1960s.

Credits

This guide is supported in whole or in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by the Alaska State Library.