Alaska Legislature Celebrates its Centennial, Creates Commission to Recognize First Territorial Legislature

The first Territorial House of Representatives (1913) met in the Elk's Lodge in downtown Juneau

By Morgan Cullen

Earlier this week the Alaska Legislature celebrated its 100^th anniversary.  To commemorate this historic occasion the legislature passed a concurrent resolution creating a seven-member “legislative centennial commission” earlier this year.  The commission was made up of current lawmakers who are tasked with the role of highlighting the significant and groundbreaking accomplishments of Alaska’s Legislature since 1913. 

Commission Chairman, Senator Gary Stevens said the role of the project “ is in every way intended to be an educational exercise, exploring the richness of our history in Alaska, and of the impact our Legislature has had on the making of that history.”

Senator Gary Stevens, Chair of the Alaska Legislative Centennial Commission

The First Territorial Legislature first met on March 3, 1913.  It consisted of eight senators and 16 representatives elected from across the territory.  They met at the Elks Lodge (now the Rockwell restaurant) in downtown Juneau until the current capitol was completed in 1931. 

While Alaska was one of the last states to be granted statehood (an honor it did not receive until 1959) its legislature was often far ahead of its time.  In fact, the very first act of the territorial legislature in 1913 gave women the right to vote, long before congress enacted the 19^th amendment in 1920.  A year later, the territorial legislature continued to shape policy at the national level by passing the Bone Dry Law, a forerunner to the Volstead Act, which implemented the 18^th Amendment and established prohibition.  And in 1945, it passed the Anti-Discrimination Act, which preceded the Civil Rights Act by nearly 20 years.

While the territorial legislature had a long list of policy accomplishments, the federal government still maintained authority over the region when it came to its natural resources, fishing and fiscal issues.  The issue of “state’s rights” was a constant source of contention for the territorial legislature and an issue that remains a prevailing concern for Alaska lawmakers today.  It wasn’t until July 7, 1958 that President Dwight Eisenhower signed the Alaska Statehood Act, making Alaska the 49^th State on Jan.  3, 1959.     

Today's lawmakers reenact the 1st Territorial Legislature

For three days this week, the Elk’s Lodge was returned to its original décor to resemble the configuration of the House and Senate chambers in 1913.  The territorial legislature reconvened with performers, historians and current and former legislators playing the roles of its original members.  Re-enactors made speeches on the prevailing issues of the day, breakfast and lunch menus featured the cuisine of the era and period music played at evening receptions.  Vintage vehicles were even parked outside the lodge and all participants were encouraged to wear period costumes.   

Pam Varni, Director of Legislative Affairs for the Alaska Legislature really enjoyed participating in the event.

From left: Nona Dimond, Staff to Senator Stevens, Katrina Matheny, Chief of Staff to Senator Stevens and Pam Varni, Executive Director who all worked on Centennial events.

 “We cleaned and decorated the old Elks Hall (possibly removing some dirt from territorial days), compiled data on just about every member from 1913 to present, created a historical slide show, and wrote summaries of legislation and events which will be published in a Roster of Members and on our website.  It was a group effort and it was wonderful to see so many former legislators and hear some great history and stories from the past.”