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The Juneau-Douglas City Museum Celebrates 50 years of Statehood 1959-2009 with the following 50th Statehood Celebrations 

Exhibits and Events

statehood flag raising, lost of people gathered around the steps of the museum, color guard in forefront

Raising the 49 Star Flag.  Photo taken by Andy Humphries. (JDCM 88.30.007). 

Check out more photographs from the July 4, 1959 statehood celebration. 

Exhibits and Events

  • Raising the Statehood Flag in Juneau, July 4, 1959 - A brief synopsis of the event.
  • Capital City DIgital Stories - opening May 18, 2008 - interactive kiosks featuring digital stories compiled by local middle school students on Alaska's capital, including early history, the move from Sitka, as well as present government and capital move issues.  Cultures of Juneau including Filipino, Tongan/South Pacific, Haida, Tlingit & Anglo-European.  The Quest for Statehood with stories about Alaska as a territory vs. a state, an indepth look at the state constitution, the process of becoming a state, Judge Wickersham, Ernest Gruening & Bob Bartlett, How Statehood Affected Native Communities and Looking back at 50 years.  Elizabeth Peratrovich and Civil Rights in Alaska including her biography,a history of the ANB & ANS and their role in today's society, Elizabeth Peratrovich's speech to the Senate, A Look at Discrimination Then and Now, and Her motivation to stand against discrimination. 
  • July 4, 1959 Flag Raising Remembered -opening May 18, 2008 - This photo exhibit will highlight the July 4th flag-raising and parade.  Film footage shot by Clifford Swap of the parade will be played in the video room as part of the exhibit.
  • July 4, 2009 Flag Raising Remembered - the Museum will honor the July 4th 1959 flag raising with a commemorative flag raising on July 4, 2009

The Juneau-Douglas City Museum is proud to have a direct connection with statehood by its nomination to the National Register of Historic Places for Statehood significance as the location of the official statehood flag raising on July 4, 1959.