Alaska Oil & Gas Historical Society

Home
United States
Anchorage, AK
Alaska Oil & Gas Historical Society

AKOGHS - Preserving and sharing Alaska's oil and gas industry history. Join us in celebrating the legacy of those who shaped our state.

Explore, learn, and become a member today! Visit our website for membership & articles. Alaska Oil & Gas Historical Society (AKOGHS)

Welcome to the Alaska Oil & Gas Historical Society (AKOGHS)! We are a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich history of the oil and gas industry in Alaska. Our mission is to educate the public about the significant impact this industry

has had on the state and its people. AKOGHS is a community of passionate individuals who love history and Alaska. Through our events, educational programs, and partnerships, we bring the story of Alaska's oil and gas industry to life, highlighting the contributions of those who have shaped its legacy. We are committed to collecting and preserving artifacts, documents, and photographs that showcase this industry's history. Our archives serve as a valuable resource for researchers, students, and the public. We also host exhibitions and develop educational programs to provide unique learning opportunities about the industry’s rich history. Interested in learning more or becoming a member? Visit our website and join us in preserving and sharing this important part of Alaska's heritage.

06/15/2026

🌟 Member spotlight: Udelhoven 🌟

Udelhoven has been a trusted partner in Alaska's oil and gas industry since 1970, delivering construction, maintenance, commissioning, and technical services that help keep critical infrastructure operating safely and efficiently across the state.

Founded on Alaska's Kenai Peninsula, Udelhoven has grown from a local contractor into a full-service company supporting projects from Cook Inlet to Prudhoe Bay and beyond. For more than five decades, they have provided expertise in industrial construction, instrumentation and controls, inspection, commissioning, automation systems, and ongoing operations and maintenance support. Their commitment to quality workmanship and safety has earned them a reputation as one of Alaska's most respected industrial service providers.

Companies like Udelhoven have played an important role in Alaska’s energy story, and we’re honored to recognize their continued support of our mission.

Join us in preserving the people, projects, and milestones that shaped Alaska’s oil and gas history. Learn more about membership at akoghs.org.

06/14/2026

On This Day in History 📜

📅 June 14, 1982 — Alaskans received their first Permanent Fund Dividend checks… for $1,000 each!

This historic moment marked the beginning of a unique benefit for Alaska residents, funded by the state’s oil wealth and made possible by the development of Prudhoe Bay and the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System.

💰 A legacy that continues to impact generations directly tied to Alaska’s oil and gas history.

👉 Follow the Alaska Oil & Gas Historical Society for more moments that shaped our state and the industry that powers it.

06/11/2026

🚧 In June 1977, a dream that many thought impossible became a reality.

The completion of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System (TAPS) was more than an engineering milestone—it was the result of the dedication, ingenuity, and hard work of nearly 70,000 people.

Stretching 800 miles from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez, the pipeline crossed mountains, rivers, permafrost, and earthquake-prone regions to deliver Alaska's oil to market.

Nearly five decades later, TAPS stands as a testament to the people who built it and the lasting impact it has had on Alaska's economy and communities.

💬 Were you or someone you know involved in the construction of TAPS? We'd love to hear your memories.

06/09/2026

🌟 Thank You to the Lowell and Joan Humphrey Family Trust 🌟

The Alaska Oil and Gas Historical Society is proud to recognize the Lowell and Joan Humphrey Family Trust as a Chilkat (Alaska's First Refinery) Founding Member.

Their generous support helps preserve and share Alaska's rich oil and gas history through educational programs, archival preservation, and initiatives like the Voices of the North Oral History Project.

We are grateful for their commitment to safeguarding the stories, people, and milestones that have shaped Alaska's energy industry for generations.

Thank you for helping us preserve the past while inspiring the future.

06/03/2026

⛳️ The Alaska Oil and Gas Historical Society's 2nd Annual Golf Tournament returns to Moose Run Golf Course on Tuesday, August 4, 2026.

Gather your foursome and enjoy a day of golf, great food, prizes, networking, and fun—all while supporting the Voices of the North Oral History Project.

🌟 Sponsorship opportunities are now available! If you'd like to showcase your company and support preserving Alaska's energy history, we'd love to hear from you.

Register your team or become a sponsor: akoghs.org/golf-tournament

06/01/2026

🛢️ May 31, 1977 — The Final Weld of TAPS 🛢️

On May 31, 1977, near Pump Station 3, a milestone moment in Alaska’s history was reached as TAPS workers and invited VIPs gathered for the final weld of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline System.

This weld marked what many consider the completion of construction on the 800-mile pipeline—an engineering feat that would soon begin moving Alaska North Slope oil to market. Just weeks later, on June 20, 1977, oil began flowing through TAPS.

From the first pipe laid on March 27, 1975, to that final weld in 1977, the scale of the project was staggering:
🔩 42,000 double-joint pipe welds
🔩 66,000 field pipe welds

Every connection represented precision, endurance, and the effort of thousands who helped bring the pipeline to life across some of the most challenging terrain in the world.

⁉️ Did you know the “final weld” is often viewed as the symbolic end of TAPS construction—even though commissioning work continued afterward?

05/28/2026

🎬 Alaska Energy on Screen & Page 📚

Alaska’s oil and gas story isn’t just written in history. It’s been captured in films, documentaries, and books that try to bring the North to life. From pipeline construction to life on the Slope, these stories give a glimpse into an industry that shaped the state. 🛢️

One example that comes to mind is Thinking Cold from the 1970s, a film that highlighted the engineering, determination, and harsh conditions involved in building the Trans-Alaska Pipeline during a pivotal moment in the state’s history.

But how close do they really get?

⁉ Have you seen a movie, show, or read a book that features Alaska’s oil and gas world? Did it feel authentic—or a little too “Hollywood”?

👇 Share your favorites (or least favorites) in the comments—we’re always looking for recommendations!

05/21/2026

⛳ SAVE THE DATE ⛳

The Alaska Oil & Gas Historical Society is teeing up its Second Annual Golf Tournament at Moose Run Golf Course on Tuesday, August 4!

🏌️ Best Ball Scramble Tournament
⏰ Tee-Off: 8:00 AM
👥 Teams of 4
🏆 Team awards & contest prizes
🍳 Breakfast, lunch, beverage carts & more included

Limited to just 20 teams — first come, first served!

Proceeds support the “Voices of the North” Oral History Project.

Interested in playing or becoming a sponsor? Details can be found on our website https://akoghs.org/ or by emailing [email protected]

We can't wait to see you there!

05/20/2026

📢 Calling All History Keepers! 📢

Do you have old photos, documents, gear, or memorabilia connected to Alaska’s oil and gas history? Help us preserve these important stories and artifacts for future generations! 🖼📰🎞📚📝

Whether it’s a photo from the pipeline days, a hardhat from the field, or a newspaper clipping from a historic moment—we’d love to see it. 🛢️

Your contribution could become part of our growing collection, helping us tell the story of Alaska’s energy heritage through real artifacts and personal stories.

📧 Have something to share? Reach out to Rebecca Logan at [email protected] to get started!

05/15/2026

⏳ Then vs. Now: Alaska Oil & Gas

From early pipeline days to modern operations, the industry has changed a lot—but some things never do.

⁉ What’s the biggest difference you’ve seen over the years?
👇 Share your experiences or stories!

Address

406 W. Fireweed Suite 200
Anchorage, AK
99503

Website

https://akoghs.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Alaska Oil & Gas Historical Society posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Alaska Oil & Gas Historical Society:

Shortcuts

Want your organization to be the top-listed Non Profit Organization in Anchorage?