Author Archives: otcgeorge

SUBMITTED BY ELSIE

The Ted Stevens Papers Project requires a team effort on the part of the faculty and staff of the Alaska and Polar Regions Collections of the Rasmuson Library where the Stevens Papers reside. This week we asked Elsie Eckman, Stevens Project Assistant, “What are you working on?

My name is Elsie Eckman and I am the Ted Stevens Project Assistant. To date, most of my time has been taken up with processing the photograph collection of Ted Stevens, which has been very interesting. I input information about the photographs into our database, including date, creator, original box number, series, peoples’ names, location, notes about the event, and any Library of Congress subject heading associated with the person or event. Some of the photos are attached to a form that Stevens’ staff created, and sometimes information is given with the date, creator,location and event. When this information is not given, in some instances I can identify the persons, and research the date and place if it was a notable event. In some cases I can even correct the spelling of a place or name, for example, my Uncle Robert is pictured with Stevens along with other Native Corporation leaders, and his last name was misspelled by Stevens’ staff.

The Ted Stevens Project archivist and I go to the warehouse several times a month and we process boxes there, including legislative material, casework, correspondence, news clippings, and memorabilia from his office. I’ve also had an opportunity to present at an Alaska Historical Society conference in Valdez. The conference theme was Northern Waters, so I researched Stevens’ involvement in marine and inland water issues, and was able to share some photographs and other printed material as artifacts from the collection as I recapped our Senator’s influence.
It has been very interesting to come across photos of Stevens with world leaders, with famous people, both celebrities and history makers. I have gotten a glimpse into the Stevens’ private lives with family photos and personal artifacts. I have increased my understanding of the scope of a senator’s legislative work and influence, and how Stevens has transformed the quality of life in Alaska.

We are starting to post a photo of the month, and our photo this month was taken in 1978 and shows Stevens’ Mobile office at Bridal Veil Falls near Valdez.

Today commemorates the transfer of the Alaska territory from Tsarist Russia to the United States on October 18, 1867 in Sitka, Alaska. This year’s Alaska Day Festival has an aviation theme, “Celebrating Alaskan Aviation,” highlighting the importance of aviation to Alaska economically and culturally, as well as the courage and skill of the many pilots in the past and currently, flying and maintaining aircraft.

United States Senator Lisa Murkowski is scheduled to speak about Alaska Day on the Senate floor at 2:30 AKDT today, October 18, 2011. C-SPAN2 will carry a live broadcast of the speech.

Politics and Pizza!

Join the Ted Stevens Papers Project for a screening of acclaimed filmmaker Ken Burns’ The Congress, September 14, 2011 on the third floor (room 340) of the Elmer E. Rasmuson Library from 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM.

Complimentary pizza and soft drinks for our first 20 guests!

For more information call 907.474.7947

Event courtesy of the Alaska & Polar Regions Collections of the Elmer E. Rasmuson Library, University of Alaska Fairbanks

SUBMITTED BY MARYANNE

The Ted Stevens Papers Collection of the Alaska and Polar Regions Collections of the Elmer E. Rasmuson Library at the University of Alaska Fairbanks dedicates the Senator Ted Stevens Gallery July 21, 2011 with its first exhibit, Ted Stevens and Alaska Statehood: The Process and the Passion.

Building from materials in an overstuffed, leather-bound notebook belonging to Ted Stevens while he served as legislative counsel in the United States Department of the Interior (1956-61), the exhibit tells the story of the final years of Alaska’s struggle to join the Union, portraying how Stevens’ mastery of the congressional process combined with popular support resulted in legislative success.

Ted Stevens and Alaska Statehood: The Process and the Passion also represents the diversity of people who worked toward Alaska statehood, the importance of personal relationships surrounding the legislative process, and the dedication and excitement of those involved.

Selected items from statehood collections held in the Alaska and Polar Regions Collections and the Museum of the North are included in the exhibit, as well as material from the Fred A. Seaton Papers housed in the Eisenhower Library.

Ms. Susan Covich will be representing the family of Senator Stevens at the exhibit opening.

Ted Stevens and Alaska Statehood: The Process and the Passion will be on display through December 2011.

The dedication is hosted by the Alaska and Polar Regions Collections of the Elmer E. Rasmuson Library at the University of Alaska Fairbanks with support from BP and the North to the Future Foundation.

SUBMITTED BY MARYANNE

The Ted Stevens Papers Project requires a team effort on the part of the faculty and staff of the Alaska and Polar Regions Collection of the Rasmuson Library where the Stevens Papers reside. This week we asked Dirk Tordoff, Film Archivist, “What are you working on?” Audio-Visual Media (A/V) Elements in the Ted Stevens Collection Motion picture film, video, and audiotape in the Ted Stevens collection tell the story of commercial and amateur broadcast in the latter half of the 20th century. Additionally, Stevens’ tenure paralleled the broadcast transition to, and refinement of, video. When Ted arrived in Washington, 16mm film and 2” Quad videotape were television broadcast standards. Recorded programs were most often delivered on Quad tape (hour-long reels weigh more than 20 lbs!) with news being recorded primarily on 16mm film. Senate and other official recording followed the trend, evolving to newer formats along with the broadcast industry. During the Senator’s first term, Quad tape was for the most part retired, having been eclipsed by ¾ inch U-Matic cartridges which also replaced 16mm film. These too, were eventually replaced by a variety of formats including Beta SP and eventually digital. The collection contains all of these, plus VHS, Betamax and other consumer formats. Making content available from such a wide variety of A/V elements presents an interesting and somewhat daunting challenge. Fortunately, the collection is well documented and has been in quality storage. Making new digital elements and cataloging content is a time-consuming process, but will be well worth the effort.