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undefined%7Cundefined%7Cundefined%7Cundefined&m=undefined%7Cundefined%7C0%7C1%7C1%7Cundefined%7CFFFFFF%7C000000&n=version%7C898%5Ecredits%7CThe%20exhibit%20is%20a%20collaboration%20of%20the%20Anchorage%20Museum%20of%20History%20and%20Art%20and%20the%20University%20of%20Alaska%20Creating%20Alaska%20Project%2E%20%0DDr%2E%20Terrence%20Cole%2C%20University%20of%20Alaska%20Fairbanks%20Office%20of%20Public%20History%20is%20curator%20of%20the%20exhibit%2E%20Travel%20for%20the%20exhibit%20is%20%0Dcoordinated%20by%20the%20Alaska%20State%20Museum%2E%20Funding%20for%20Creating%20Alaska%20is%20provided%20by%20the%20General%20Services%20Administration%20and%20%0Dthe%20BP%2FConocoPhillips%20Fund%20of%20the%20University%20of%20Alaska%20Foundation%2E%20%0D%0D%5Eheader%5Fheadline%7C%5Eheader%5Ffont%5Fhex%7C000000%5Eheader%5Fhex%7CFFFFFF%5Eheader%5Fheight%7C30%5Ebody%5Fhex%7C000000%5Ebody%5Fframe%5Fhex%7C000000%5Econtrols%5Fhex%7C333333%5Efooter%5Fhex%7C333333%5Efooter%5Ffont%5Fhex%7Cundefined%5Efooter%5Fheight%7C15%5Ehtmlbg%5Fhex%7CFFFFFF%5Eplayer%5Fstyle%7Cdefault%5EautoStart%7Cfalse%5EautoShowCaptions%7Cfalse%5Eclick%5Fto%5Fplay%7Ctrue%5Edisplay%5Fsizes%7Cfalse%5Edisplay%5Fheadline%7Ctrue%5Edisplay%5Ffooter%7Ctrue%5EshowCredits%7Ctrue%5EshowCaptions%7Ctrue%5Eembed%5Fstyle%7Cfalse%5Ecenter%7Ctrue%5Eheader%5Fheadline%5Ffont%7CArial%5Ecaption%5Ffont%5Fface%7CArial%5Ecaption%5Ffont%5Fsize%7C11%5Efooter%5Ffont%5Fface%7CVerdana%5Efooter%5Ffont%5Fsize%7C9%5Escrub%5Fpreview%7Cfalse%5Eshow%5Fvolume%7Cfalse%5Etransition%5Ftype%7Ccrossfade%5Etransition%5Ftime%7C0%2E7%5Eshow%5Fthumbnails%7Ctrue%5Ecustom%5Fsize%7Ctrue%5Ecustom%5Fwidth%7C762%5Ecustom%5Fheight%7C830%5Ecustom%5Fpixels%5Faround%5Fimage%7C0%5Ecustom%5Faudio%7Chi%5Efullscreen%7Ctrue%5Eslide%5Fonly%7Ctrue%5Eduration%7Cundefined%5Etlength%7C388460%5Efla%7C843411%5Eswf%7C385697%5Euser%7Cundefined%5Eindex%5Fwidth%7C762%5Eindex%5Fheight%7C893%5Eundefined%7Cundefined%5Ecaption%5Fbg%5Fopacity%7C89%5Eundefined%7Cundefined&t=0%7Ccreatingak%5Fage%5F01%2Ejpg%7CPhoto caption and credit%3A%0DStephen D%2E %28Steve%29 McCutcheon%2C Delegate to the Constitutional Convention %0DAnchorage Museum of History and Art%2C McCutcheon Collection %0D%7C%7C%7C%7C0%7C0%7C100%7C0%7C0%7C100%5E2599%7Ccreatingak%5Fallr%5F2%2Ejpg%7CPhoto credits and captions %28clockwise from left%29%3A %0D1%2E Fairbanks Daily News%2DMiner%0D2%2E Negotiating the Alaska purchase%2E %0DSeward House%2C Auburn%2C New York%2E %0D%7C%7C%7C%7C0%7C0%7C100%7C0%7C0%7C100%5E4419%7Ccreatingak%5Fallr%5F3%2Ejpg%7CPhoto credits and captions %28clockwise from left%29%3A %0D1%2E Early Civil Government Officials in Alaska%2E John H%2E Kinkead%2C %28seated%29 First District Governor of Alaska%2E %0DHistorical Collections P297%2D050%2C Alaska State Library%0D2%2E Alfred%2E P%2E Swineford %281885 %E2%80%93 1889%29%2C Second District %0DGovernor of Alaska %2C protested the lack of democracy%2E  As residents of a District%2C Alaskans were not entitled to elected representatives%2E %0DAlaska State Library%2C Portrait Collection%2D3 %0D%7C%7C%7C%7C0%7C0%7C100%7C0%7C0%7C100%5E6106%7Ccreatingak%5Fage%5F04%2Ejpg%7C%7C%7C%7C%7C0%7C0%7C100%7C0%7C0%7C100%5E8521%7Ccreatingak%5Fage%5F05%2Ejpg%7CPhoto credits and captions %28clockwise from left%29%3A%0D1%2E U%2E S%2E Congressional Report%2C 1921 %0D2%2E Groups %E2%80%93 Legislature %E2%80%93 2 %0DAlaska State Library %0D%7C%7C%7C%7C0%7C0%7C100%7C0%7C0%7C100%5E10023%7Ccreatingak%5Fage%5F06%2Ejpg%7CPhoto credits and captions %28clockwise from left%29%3A%0D1%2E Collection of Terrence Cole %0D2%2E J%2EP%2E Morgan and the Guggenheim Brothers were portrayed as a ravenous beast devouring Alaska%E2%80%99s resources%2C while a feeble Uncle %0DSam %28lower right hand corner%29 eats gum drops%2E %0DIce Bound Empire%2C Elizabeth Tower %0D%0D3%2E Alaska Independence Party %0D%7C%7C%7C%7C0%7C0%7C100%7C0%7C0%7C100%5E12942%7Ccreatingak%5Fage%5F07%2Ejpg%7CPhoto credits and captions %28clockwise from left%29%3A %0D1%2E Colliers Magazine %0D2%2E Knox Papers%2C HMC %E2%80%93 0461%2C Series 15%2D1%2D8%2E Archives and Manuscripts Department%2C University of Alaska Anchorage%2E %0D3%2E Wickersham Collection %0DArchives%2C University of Alaska Fairbanks%7C%7C%7C%7C0%7C0%7C100%7C0%7C0%7C100%5E14678%7Ccreatingak%5Fage%5F08%2Ejpg%7CPhoto credits %28clockwise from left%29%3A %0D1%2E Wickersham Historic Site%2C P277%2D007%2D107%0DAlaska State Library%0D2%2E b95%2D12%2D5%0DAnchorage Museum of History and Art%0D3%2E Egan Collection 1985%E2%80%93120%2D127%0DArchives%2C University of Alaska Fairbanks%0D4%2E Ernest Gruening Collection%2C 1976%2D21%2D485%0DArchives%2C University of Alaska Fairbanks%7C%7C%7C%7C0%7C0%7C100%7C0%7C0%7C100%5E16869%7Ccreatingak%5Fage%5F09%2Ejpg%7CPhoto credits and captions %28clockwise from left%29%3A %0D1%2E During World War II%2C Alaska became a key front in American defense%2E  The construction of the Alaska Highway%2C the influx of military funding and the near doubling of Alaska%E2%80%99s population from %0D1940%2D50 all resulted in tremendous change for Alaska%2E %0DAlaska Life Magazine %0D2%2E b95%2D12%2D5 %0DAnchorage Museum of History and Art %0D3%2E Wickersham Historic Site%2C P277%2D007%2D107 %0DAlaska State Library %0D4%2E Wickersham%27s Alaska Statehood Bill%0D5%2E A 1914 meeting of the Alaska Native Brotherhood in Sitka%2E  Formed in 1912%2C the Alaska Native Brotherhood was the first organization to demonstrate Native Alaskan political power%2E  While white residents complained about their lack of rights in Alaska%2C Alaska Natives weren%E2%80%99t even granted U%2ES%2E citizenship until 1924%2E %0DGroups %E2%80%93 Alaska Native Brotherhood Sisterhood 2%2E Alaska State Library%2E %0D6%2E In July 1915%2C Delegate Wickersham %28second row%2C third from right%29 meets with Tanana Chiefs in Fairbanks to discuss land claims and Native reservations%2E %0DP277%2D011%2E Alaska State Library%2E%0D%0D%7C%7C%7C%7C0%7C0%7C100%7C0%7C0%7C100%5E18851%7Ccreatingak%5Fage%5F10%2Ejpg%7CPhoto credits and captions %28clockwise from left%29%3A%0D1%2E Ernest Gruening Collection%2C 1976%2D21%2D485 %0DArchives%2C University of Alaska Fairbanks%0D2%2E Egan Collection 1985%E2%80%93120%2D127 %0DArchives%2C University of Alaska Fairbanks %0D3%2E Bartlett Collection%2C 1990%2D0176%2D00348 %0DArchives%2C University of Alaska Fairbanks %0D4%2E Bartlett Collection%2C 1990%2D0176%2D00328 %0DArchives%2C University of Alaska Fairbanks %0D5%2E Delegate Bob Bartlett%2C himself a miner before entering politics%2C holds a gold brick in Flat%2C Alaska during the 1950s%2E %0DBartlett Collection%2C 1990%2D0176%2D00352 %0DArchives%2C University of Alaska Fairbanks%0D %0D%E2%80%9CHe could differ without anger%2E He could lose without rancor%2E He could win without exultation%E2%80%A6%2ENo wonder he accomplished so much for Alaska%2E%E2%80%9D %0D%E2%80%93Sen%2E Norris Cotton %28New Hampshire%29 paying tribute to Bob Bartlett after his death in 1968%2E %0D%0D6%2E Gruening is sworn in as Alaska%E2%80%99s Territorial Governor in 1939%2E  Gruening was Alaska%E2%80%99s longest serving governor%2C and the second%2Dlongest serving territorial governor in US history%2E %E2%80%9CWe will always remember that from the day he came to Alaska%2C things changed%2E From the day he came to Alaska%2C attitudes changed%2E That was the kind of man he was%2E%E2%80%9D %0D%E2%80%94Alaska Governor Bill Egan on Ernest Gruening%2C 1974%0DBartlett Collection%2C 1969%2D0095%2D00489 %0DArchives%2C University of Alaska Fairbanks %0D7%2E Time %0DTerrence Cole Collection %0D8%2E Ernest Gruening%E2%80%99s The State of Alaska was written shortly after he left the governor%E2%80%99s office%2E Printed while Alaska was still a territory%2C it is a scholarly and forceful treatise on the merits of statehood%2E %0DTerrence Cole Collection %0D8%2EFormer Territorial Governor Ernest Gruening testifies before the Committee on the Executive Branch at the Alaska Constitutional Convention in 1955%2E %0DErnest Gruening Collection%2C 1976%2D0021%2D00485 %0DArchives%2C University of Alaska Fairbanks %0D%7C%7C%7C%7C0%7C0%7C100%7C0%7C0%7C100%5E20029%7Ccreatingak%5Fage%5F11%2Ejpg%7CPhoto credits and captions %28clockwise from left%29%3A %0D1%2E Spurred by Governor Gruening%2C the Territorial Legislature creates the Alaska Statehood Committee%2C pictured above%2C to lobby for statehood and prepare for a constitutional convention%2E %0DPictured above are %28standing%29 E%2EL%2E %E2%80%9CBob%E2%80%9D Bartlett%2C Bob Atwood%2C Barrie White%2C %28seated%29 W%2EL%2E Baker%2C Mildred Hermann%2C Frank Peratrovich%2C Percy Ipalook%2C Warren Taylor%2C Victor Rivers%2C %0DAndrew Nerland%2E Not Pictured%3A Stanley McCutcheon%2C Lee Bettinger%2E %0DBob Bartlett Collection %0DArchives%2C University of Alaska Fairbanks %0D%7C%7C%7C%7C0%7C0%7C100%7C0%7C0%7C100%5E22644%7Ccreatingak%5Fage%5F12%2Ejpg%7CPhoto credits and captions %28clockwise from left%29%3A 1%2E After a decade%2C Governor Gruening%E2%80%99s effort to reform the Alaska tax code finally succeeds%2E In 1949%2C legislators enact a comprehensive tax and revenue package drafted %0Dby economist George W%2E Rogers %28left%29%2C proving Alaska had the financial means and political will to pay for a state government%2E %0DAtwood Family Photograph Collection %0D2%2E Interior Secretary Oscar Chapman and California Governor Earl Warren review %E2%80%9C83 Years of Neglect%3A  Alaska%E2%80%99s Struggle for Self Government%E2%80%9D by Evangeline Atwood%2E %0DErnest Gruening Collection %0DArchives%2C University of Alaska Fairbanks%0D3%2E President Dwight D%2E Eisenhower is flanked by Miss Hawaii and %0DMiss Alaska in a playful reenactment of the territories%E2%80%99 %0Dstatehood struggles%2E %0DAtwood Family Photograph Collection %0D4%2E The Statehood Flight%3A  While a delegation of 50 Alaskans descend on the capital to lobby for the Alaska%2DHawaii Bill in 1954%2C opposition from House leaders to Alaska dooms the entire package%2E %0DFairbanks Daily News%2DMiner%7C%7C%7C%7C0%7C0%7C100%7C0%7C0%7C100%5E24071%7Ccreatingak%5Fage%5F13%2Ejpg%7CPhoto credits and captions %28clockwise from left%29%3A%0D1%2E Fairbanks Daily News Miner%0D2 %2E The Spread of Democracy%3A%0Da%2E Representation in the Territorial Legislature%0Dwas biased towards the larger cities and left%0Dout most of rural Alaska%2E%0Db%2E The election districts for the convention%0Dwere specifically drawn to ensure a broad%0Dgeographic distribution%2E%0Dc%2E As a result the districts the convention created%0Dmade the first Alaska State Legislature far%0Dmore representative than the Territorial%0DLegislature had ever been%2E%0DCreating Alaska Project%0D3%2E Territorial Legislators Ed Locken%2C Tom Stewart%2C Burke Riley%2C %0DDora Sweeney%2C Vern Metcalf and Joe McLean %0DDora Sweeney Collection%2C P421%2D288 %0DAlaska State Library %0D4%2E On September 13%2C 1955%2C voters selected 49 men and 6 women to craft the blueprint for the future State of Alaska%2E  Starting on November 8%2C 1955%2C they had only 75 days to get the job done%2E Delegates to the convention%2E  Standing%3A  Peter Reader%2C Nome%3B Seaborn Buckalew%2C Anchorage%3B Barrie White%2C Anchorage%3B Truman Emberg%2C Dillingham%3B Irwin Metcalf%2C Seward%3B John McNees%2C Nome%3B E%2E B%2E Collins%2C Fairbanks%3B W%2EO%2E %E2%80%9CBo%E2%80%9D Smith%2C Ketchikan%3B Maynard Londborg%2C Unalakleet%3B John Boswell%2C Fairbanks%3B Leslie Nerland%2C Fairbanks%3B John McLaughlin%2C Anchorage%3B Marvin %E2%80%9CMuktuk%E2%80%9D Marston%2C Anchorage%3B John Cross%2C Kotzebue%3B Thomas Harris%2C Valdez%3B Maurice Johnson%2C Fairbanks%3B Jack Hinckel%2C Kodiak%3B Jim Nolan%2C Wrangell%3B John Hellenthal%2C Anchorage%3B Leonard King%2C Haines%3B Chris Poulsen%2C Anchorage%3B W%2EW%2E Laws%2C Nome%3B Herb Hilscher%2C Anchorage%3B Burke Riley%2C Haines%3B R%2EE%2E Robertson%2C Juneau%3B Steve McCutcheon%2C Anchorage%3B Victor Rivers%2C Anchorage%2E  Seated%3A  John Rosswog%2C Cordova%3B R%2E Roland Armstrong%2C Juneau%3B Katherine Nordale%2C Juneau%3B H%2ER%2E Vanderleest%2C Juneau%3B Dora Sweeney%2C Juneau%3B B%2ED%2E Stewart%2C Sitka%3B Mildred Hermann%2C Juneau%3B Frank Peratrovich%2C Klawock%3B William Egan%2C Valdez%3B Ralph Rivers%2C Fairbanks%3B Helen Fischer%2C Anchorage%3B William Knight%2C Sitka%3B Dorothy Awes%2C Anchorage%3B Frank Barr%2C Fairbanks%3B Ada Wien%2C Fairbanks%3B M%2EJ%2E Walsh%2C Nome%3B Eldor Lee%2C Petersburg%2E  Seated on floor%3A  Douglas Gray%2C Juneau%3B George Cooper%2C Fairbanks%3B Jack Coghill%2C Nenana%3B Yule Kilcher%2C Homer%3B Warren Taylor%2C Fairbanks%3B Jim Hurley%2C Wasilla%3B Edward Davis%2C Anchorage%3B Jim Doogan%2C Fairbanks%3B George Sundborg%2C Sr%2E%2C Juneau%3B Victor Fischer%2C Anchorage%3B Robert McNealy%2C Fairbanks%2E %0DHistorical Photograph Collection%2C 1966%2D9%2D28 %0DArchives%2C University of Alaska Fairbanks %0D5%2EThe six women delegates to the Constitutional Convention%2E Standing %28left to right%29%3A Dorothy Awes%2C Ada Wien%2C Dora Sweeney%2C Katherine Nordale%2E Seated%3A Mildred Hermann%2C Helen Fischer%2E %0DFairbanks Daily News%2DMiner %0D6%2E Warren Taylor Scrapbook%0D7%2E The new Student Union Building%2C soon to be renamed %E2%80%9CConstitution Hall%2C%E2%80%9D opened the day the convention began in %0DNovember 1955%2C even though it was under construction%2E The delegates ate the first meal served in the cafeteria%2E %0DTerrence Cole Collection%0D%7C%7C%7C%7C0%7C0%7C100%7C0%7C0%7C100%5E26086%7Ccreatingak%5Fage%5F14%2Ejpg%7CPhoto captions and credits %28clockwise from left%29%3A%0D1%2E Bill Egan%2C President of the Constitutional Convention%2E%0DJoe Hardenbrook Collection%0D2%2E Egan%E2%80%99s uncanny ability to make others feel at ease was crucial to the convention%E2%80%99s good spirit%2E From left to right%3A John%0DHellenthal%2C George McLaughlin%2C Robert McNealy %28hidden%29%2C Les Nerland%2C Steve McCutcheon%2C William Egan %28seated%29%2C%0DJack Coghill%2C Chief Clerk Katherine Alexander %28Hurley%29 and Dorothy Awes %28Haaland%29%2E%0DSteve McCutcheon Photograph%0D3%2E Convention officers and staff%2E%0DSeated left to right%3A First Vice President Frank Peratrovich%3B President Bill Egan%3B Second Vice President Ralph Rivers%2E Standing%3A Temporary President Mildred Hermann%3B Librarian Doris Ann Bartlett%3B Secretary Tom Stewart%3B Chief Clerk Katherine Alexander %28Hurley%29%2E%0DFairbanks Daily News%2DMiner%7C%7C%7C%7C0%7C0%7C100%7C0%7C0%7C100%5E28194%7Ccreatingak%5Fage%5F15%2Ejpg%7CPhoto credits and captions %28clockwise from left%29%3A%0D1%2E The convention used all available space in Constitution Hall%2E Assistant Chief Clerk Dolores Goad works in the campus beauty salon%2E%0DFairbanks Daily News%2DMiner%0D2%2E Irene Russell%2C Message Center Clerk%2C%7Fassembles books for the delegates%2E%0DFairbanks Daily News%2DMiner%0D3%2E Delegates receive public comment at a hearing at the Fairbanks courthouse%0DFairbanks Daily News%2DMiner%0D4%2E Delegates also made use of the media%2C appearing on KTVF%2C a Fairbanks television station%2C to discuss their progress%2E%0DFairbanks Daily News%2DMiner%7C%7C%7C%7C0%7C0%7C100%7C0%7C0%7C100%5E30475%7Ccreatingak%5Fllr%5F16%2Ejpg%7CPhoto credits and captions %28clockwise from left to right%29%3A%0D1%2E Voters in Territorial Alaska had no power over federally appointed officials%2E To avoid this frustration%2C delegates made the governor%E2%80%99s office one of the strongest executive branches in the United States%2E%0DCreating Alaska Project%0D2%2E Alaska Constitutional Framework%3A Strong Executive%2C Bicameral Legislature%2C Unified and Independent Judiciary Creating Alaska Project%0D3%2E The Judiciary Committee at work%2E From left%3A Irwin Metcalf%2C R%2EE%2E Robertson%2C Maurice Johnson%2C George McLaughlin%2C Dr%2E Sheldon Elliot%2C Ralph Rivers%2C Thomas Harris%2C Ed Davis%2E%0DAlaska Bar Association Archives%0D4%2E Alaska%E2%80%99s Constitution is about half the length of the average state charter%2C and far less likely to need extensive amendments%2E%0DCreating Alaska Project%2E%0D5%2E Atwood Family Photograph Collection%0D6%2E Atwood Family Photograph Collection%0D7%2E Atwood Family Photograph Collection%7C%7C%7C%7C0%7C0%7C100%7C0%7C0%7C100%5E32240%7Ccreatingak%5Fllr%5F17%2Ejpg%7CPhoto credits and captions %28clockwise from left%29%3A%0D1%2E Documents%2C J87%2EA417G89%0DAlaska State Library%0D2%2E The Alaska Constitution demands that Alaska%E2%80%99s resources be used for %E2%80%9Cthe maximum benefit of the people%2E%E2%80%9D This provision led to the State of Alaska garnering a more equitable share of revenue from development of its natural resources%2E%0DCreating Alaska Project%7C%7C%7C%7C0%7C0%7C100%7C0%7C0%7C100%5E34821%7Ccreatingak%5Fllr%5F18%2Ejpg%7CPhoto credits and captions %28clockwise from left%29%3A%0D1%2E %E2%80%9CWe speak much in our Convention here about founding fathers%0D%E2%80%93 great men they were%2C but greater men and many more of them%E2%80%A6lived long before the prospectors hit Alaska%2E%E2%80%9D%0D%E2%80%94Delegate Marvin %E2%80%9CMuktuk%E2%80%9D Marston on Alaska Native rights%0DAtwood Family Photograph Collection%0D2%2E Fairbanks Daily News%2DMiner%0D3%2E Atwood Family Photograph Collection%0D4%2E Fairbanks Daily News%2DMiner%0D5%2E Atwood Family Photograph Collection%0D6%2E Convention Vice President Frank Peratrovich%2C the lone Native Delegate%2C presides as Bill Egan yields the chair to speak from the%0Dfloor%2E Behind Egan to the right is Jack Coghill%2C Chairman of the Administration Committee%2E%0DAlaska Bar Association Archives%7C%7C%7C%7C0%7C0%7C100%7C0%7C0%7C100%5E36539%7Ccreatingak%5Fllr%5F19%2Ejpg%7CPhoto credits and captions %28clockwise from left%29%3A%0D1%2E Telegram sent by Convention President Egan to President Eisenhower informing him of the convention%E2%80%99s work and%0Drequesting his support for Alaska statehood%2E%0DEisenhower Presidential Library%0D2%2E Alex Miller %28left%29%2C head of Alaska%E2%80%99s Democratic Party and Walter Hickel %28right%29%2C head of Alaska%E2%80%99s Republicans%2C flank George Lehleitner and Bill Egan at the convention in a show of bi%2Dpartisan support for statehood%2E%0DFairbanks Daily News%2DMiner%0D3%2E Senator%2Delect Gruening and Martha Rivers%2C Representative%2Delect Rivers and Senator%2Delect and Neva Egan pose by the %E2%80%9CAlaska%2DTennessee%E2%80%9D automobile during a publicity tour through the U%2ES%2E%0DAlaska Statehood%2D9%0DAlaska State Library%0D4%2E The only delegate who refused to sign the constitution was R%2E E%2E Roberston of Juneau%2C who objected to several measures including the fish trap ordinance%2E In 1960%2C shortly before his death%2C Robertson sat at his kitchen table in Juneau and finally added his signature to Alaska%E2%80%99s constitution%2E%0DAtwood Family Photograph Collection%0D5%2E Dora Sweeney Collection%2C P421%2D288%2E Alaska State Library%2E%7C%7C%7C%7C0%7C0%7C100%7C0%7C0%7C100%5E38353%7Ccreatingak%5Fllr%5F20%2Ejpg%7CPhoto credits and captions %28clockwise from left%29%3A%0D1%2E President Egan signs the constitution first on February 5%2C 1956%2E At the table behind him are the two vice presidents of the convention%2C Ralph Rivers %28right%29 and Frank Peratrovich%2E%0DRalph J%2E Rivers Papers%2C 1972%2D49%2D1%0DArchives%2C University of Alaska Fairbanks%0D2%2E %28left%29 The first printed edition of the Alaska Constitution published by the convention in 1956%2E%0DTerrence Cole Collection%0D3%2E %E2%80%9CI can see here today that%E2%80%A6this Convention is going to bind the personalities of each and every one of you%E2%80%A6in friendship that%0Dwill endure to help carry on the workings of the future State of Alaska%E2%80%A6%2E%E2%80%9D%0D%E2%80%94E%2E B%2E Collins%2C age 83%2C the oldest member at the convention and the only delegate to have served in the First Territorial Legislature%0Din 1913%2E%0DSteve McCutcheon Collection%0DAnchorage Museum of History and Art%0D4%2E %E2%80%9CI move when we go forth from this assembly today%2C we do so in%0Dmemory of two great Alaskans who pioneered the statehood%0Dmovement %E2%80%93 Judge James Wickersham and Judge Anthony%0DJ%2E Dimond%2E Mr%2E President%2C I now move that we adjourn sine die%2E%E2%80%9D%0D%E2%80%94Delegate Mildred Hermann%2C the last motion at the Convention%2C%0DFebruary 6%2C 1956%0DAtwood Family Photograph Collection%0D5%2E Atwood Family Photograph Collection%0D6%2E A pamphlet urging Alaskans to ratify the constitution on April 24%2C 1956%2E The constitution passed by a margin of more than 2%2D1%2E%0DTerrence Cole Collection%0D7%2E The convention delegates formed a lifelong bond%2E Forever after%0Dthey proudly wore the exclusive %E2%80%9C55 Club%E2%80%9D button%2E%0DVictor Fischer Collection%2E Chris Arend%2C Photographer%0D8%2E A summary of the constitution sent out to voters before the%0Dratification vote%2E%0D%0DAtwood Family Photograph%0DCollection%7C%7C%7C%7C0%7C0%7C100%7C0%7C0%7C100&oe=creatingak_age_03.jpg|^creatingak_age_02.jpg|&lta=