George Harper’s “Blacks in Alaska History” exhibit.

George T. Harper papers, Archives and Special Collections, Consortium Library, University of Alaska Anchorage.

George T. Harperwas born in Atlanta, Georgia in 1930. In 1981, he moved to Anchorage from Oregon to work as a computer programmer for the Bureau of Land Management. After his retirement in 1990, he ran a consulting business called, “One on One PC Consulting.” In addition, Harper devoted more of his time to a project close to his heart, the “Blacks in Alaska History Project,” which became a non-profit organization in 1995. His first exhibit was in 1989, but he continued doing research till he passed away on January 21, 2004. Per his will, his research papers, exhibit materials, and personal papers were donated to the Consortium Library’s Archives and Special Collections so that researchers could learn and build from his research.

In celebration of Black History Month, the Multicultural Center has mounted the George T. Harper’s Blacks in Alaska History exhibit on the 3^rd floor of the Consortium Library. The exhibit will be on display from February 1^st to February 29^th. Putting together this exhibit was no easy feat, as Harper had researched and collected a plethora of information that he used to create multiple exhibits. It was up to Ashleigh Nero to recreate portions of the exhibit so that people get a preview of the rich long history of African Americans in Alaska. Gathered from archives, libraries, and museums from around Alaska and the United States, his exhibit illuminates the African American people who were Alaskan pioneers and settlers, miners, soldiers who served in World War II and builders of the Al-Can highway, public officials, and community members who worked to make Alaska a better place.

To learn more about George T. Harper and the Blacks in Alaska History Project, please visit our finding aids:

George T. Harper P apers

George Harpers Blac ks i n Alaska History Project records