Guide to the Alaska Heritage Review records
1981-1985
Collection number: HMC-1430.
Creator: Alaska Heritage Review.
Title: Alaska Heritage Review records.
Dates: 1981-1985.
Volume of collection: 0.25 cubic feet.
Language of materials: Collection materials are in English.
Collection summary: The records of an organization that produced educational and entertaining shows about Alaska.
Organizational history:
The non-profit Alaska Heritage Review was founded in 1975 as the Alaska Bicentennial Review. Its initial purpose was to create film documentaries on the history and culture of Alaska. As the organization grew, it also produced performances for the Fur Rendezvous in Anchorage, summer dinner shows for tourists, and programs for “Alaska Pride” school assemblies.
Larry Beck, the “Bard of Alaska,” served as president of the Alaska Heritage Review. He also created and performed in the live performances. His vaudevillian style blended comedy with educational content. His recitation of Robert Service poems in a Scottish accent became one of his signature performances. He was eventually named Ambassador of Good Will for the State of Alaska by Governor Keith Miller. He died in 1990.
Collection description:
This collection contains the administrative records of the Alaska Heritage Review from the years 1981 to 1985. It includes correspondence with board members, board meeting minutes, and financial records. It further contains promotional materials for performances, the Alaska Heritage Review newsletters, and a draft of a poem titled, “Northern Wings.” There is also correspondence with Phyllis Carlson, a historian and writer.
Arrangement: This collection is arranged by record type and then roughly chronologically.
Digitized copies: This collection has not been digitized. For information about obtaining digital copies, please contact Archives and Special Collections.
Rights note: The Archives does not hold copyright to this collection. If you believe you are the copyright holder, please contact the Archives.
Preferred citation: Alaska Heritage Review records, Archives and Special Collections, Consortium Library, University of Alaska Anchorage.
Works used in preparation of inventory:
“Larry Allan Beck Obituary.” Anchorage Daily News. March 28, 1990.
O’Harra, Doug. “Death of the Bard.” Anchorage Daily News. July 15, 1990.
Acquisition note: This collection was separated from the Phyllis D. Carlson papers in 2023. These papers were originally deposited at the Archives as part of the Alaska Professional Communicators records at an unknown date.
Processing information: This collection was described by Becky Butler in 2023.