Tanana-Yukon Historical Society
Sharing the history and continuing story of Fairbanks and Interior Alaska
The TYHS has an active schedule of speakers at our free monthly public lectures. The lectures start at 7 PM, unless otherwise noted, on the third Wednesday of the month. Information about our 2026-2027 lecture is will be posted here when available.
All TYHS events are free and open to the public.
The second program of the 2026-2027 season is on Wednesday, 21 October, 2026 at 7 PM at the Mining Hall Museum, 406 Cushman Street, next door to McCafferty’s Coffee Shop. The title of our next presentation is FRANK, Flights & A Capitol That Never Got Built. An illustrated lecture presented by Rachel Cohen.
Between 1974 and 1982, Alaskans fought over a question that would reshape the state’s political geography: should the capitol remain in Juneau or move north? Focusing on the proposed location outside Willow, this talk explores the rise of regionalism in Alaska, the competing proposals and ballot measures that defined the debate, and the fascinating strategies used by groups like the FRANK Committee to influence public opinion.
The story offers a window into not only the capitol that was never built, but also the political battles and regional tensions that shaped modern Alaska.
Rachel Cohen is an Asst. Professor & Curator of Rare Books and Maps at the UAF’s Rasmusson Library. Her research interests include Alaskan history and literature, paper toys, printing history, mapping of the polar regions, and the book as artifact.
For more information about this and other lectures sponsored by the Tanana-Yukon Historical Society, please call 488-3383, or e-mail tyhs@alaska.net.
Check out our website: www.tananayukonhistory.org or “friend” us on Facebook: Tanana-Yukon Historical Society
Click here to to view Wickersham House.
Click here to view Eagle Courthouse.
Click here to view TYHS Juneau.
Mary F. Ehrlander with Hild M. Peters have now published their new book “Hospital and Haven. The Life and Work of Grafton and Clara Burke in Northern Alaska”. For more information about the book, click here. The book is available at Bison Books, University of Nebraska Press. For 40% off while ordering, use code 6AF23.
We wish to thank our donors, some of whom have been extremely generous this past year. The Tanana Yukon Historical Society depends upon this kind of support and every donation is welcome, no matter its size. With these contributions, we have been able to carry out some projects and acknowledge vital members of our community who have passed on. BUT we need some ideas of how to spend your money. If you have a history-related project in mind please contact us! tyhs@alaska.net.