Alaska Historical Commission

Alaska Historical Commission meeting

Winter Meeting Date: February 29, 2024

The Alaska Historical Commission will meet via Microsoft Teams on Thursday, February 29, to consider Historic Preservation Fund grant proposals for statewide historic preservation activities.

The focused Agenda includes the Commission review of Certified Local Government (CLG) and Development/Predevelopment grant applications. Additionally, commission members will review one Geographic Name proposal tabled during the November 16 meeting, and hear updates on other preservation activities.

The Feb. meeting will be from 9 am to noon and is open to the public via Microsoft Teams. Any person or group wishing to address the Commission on grant applications or other issues concerning history or historic preservation is invited to participate in the public comment session starting at 9:45am. Those wishing to comment by phone or listen to the meeting must make arrangements in advance by calling (907) 269-8714, emailing dnr.oha@alaska.gov, or writing to the Office of History and Archaeology, Alaska Department of Natural Resources, 550 W. Seventh Ave., Suite 1310, Anchorage, AK 99501-3565.

Spring 2024 Meeting Date: TBA

To contact the Alaska Historical Commission, sign up for public comment, or register to attend the meeting, please email a request to dnr.oha@alaska.gov. To sign up by phone or to request a printed copy of the agenda, please call 907-269-8700. You may also write to the Office of History and Archaeology, Alaska Department of Natural Resources, 550 West 7th Ave., Suite 1310, Anchorage, AK 99501-3565.

Tentative Meeting Agenda


The Alaska Historical Commission is a forum for citizens' voices in the development of state history policy. Members advise the Governor on programs concerning history and prehistory, historic sites and buildings, and on geographic names. The nine-member commission includes the Lieutenant Governor, three citizens trained in history, architecture, or archaeology, an individual representing Native ethnic groups, two members recommended by the Alaska Historical Society, one member from the general public, and the State Historic Preservation Officer. Responsibilities of the Alaska Historical Commission include:

  • Reviewing Alaskan prehistory and history materials now in print
  • Identifying gaps in the published coverage of Alaska's past
  • Identifying sources of Alaska's history
  • Coordinating publication of materials that present all aspects of Alaska's history
  • Reviewing nominations to the National Register of Historic Places
  • Reviewing and making recommendations on grant proposals for historic preservation projects
  • Determining the correct and most appropriate names for Alaska's geographic features
  • Serving as the state representatives for Alaska's Geographic Names Program
  • Advising the Governor and the Legislature on state policy and programs for the preservation of the state's historic, prehistoric, and archaeological resources


Alaska Historical Commission Members

Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom (Chair)
State of Alaska
P.O. Box 110015
Juneau, AK 99811-0015
(907) 465-3520
E-mail: Lt. Gov. Nancy Dahlstrom
Liaison: Kelly Howell
Phone: (907) 269-7148
e-mail: kelly.howell@alaska.gov

Judy Bittner
State Historic Preservation Officer
Office of History and Archaeology
550 W. 7th Avenue, Suite 1310
Anchorage, AK 99501-3565
(907) 269-8715
E-mail: judy.bittner@alaska.gov

Forgiveness "Givey" Kochanowski
12221 Shenandoah Road
Anchorage, AK 99516
(907) 717-4240
(907) 271-1423
E-mail: givey.kochanowski@gmail.com
(Public member, term ends 7/01/26)

Raymond Bonnell
127 Glacier Avenue
Fairbanks, Alaska 99701
Home:(907) 452-5455
E-mail: pingo@mosquitonet.com
(Alaska Historical Society, term ends 7/01/23)

Wayne Jensen
522 West Tenth St.
Juneau, AK 99801
Work: (907) 789-4521
Home: (907) 364-2474
Cell: (907) 321-0838
E-mail: wayne@jensenyorbalott.com
(Architect, term ends 7/01/23)

D. Roy Mitchell (Geographic Names Advisor)
Alaska Native Language Preservation & Advisory Council
State of Alaska
Division of Community and Regional Affairs
550 W. 7th Ave, Suite 1640
Anchorage, Alaska 99501
Work: (907) 269-3646
roy.mitchell@alaska.gov

Rebecca Poulson
107 Jeff Davis St.
Sitka, AK 99835
Work: (907) 747-3448
Cell: (907) 738-7448
E-mail: rebecca_poulson@hotmail.com
(Alaska Historical Society, term ends 7/01/21)

Mark W. Rollins
1833 Kalgin Street
Anchorage, AK 99504
Work: (907) 269-8722
Cell: (907) 631-9449
E-Mail: mark.rollins@alaska.gov or markwrollins@gmail.com
(Archaeologist, term ends 7/01/25)

Jonathon S. Ross
19801 Tulwar Dr.
Chugiak, AK 99567
(907) 230-1457
E-mail: enushen@yahoo.com
(Alaska Native, term ends 7/01/25)

Dorene M. Lorenz
Juneau, AK
(907) 360-8815
DoreneMLorenz@aol.com
Historian Seat (term ends 7/01/24)

Harriet Dinegar Milks (Attorney for the Commission)
Alaska Department of Law
123 4th Street
Juneau, Alaska 99801
PO BOX 110300
Juneau, AK 99811-0300
Work: (907) 465-2123
E-mail: harriet.dinegar@alaska.gov