Thursday, November 19, 2026, 7:00 PM Auditorium or Online via Crowdcast Danni

Please join State Historian Katherine Ringsmuth for a comprehensive recap of Alaska's highly successful year-long America250 celebration that engaged Alaskans from Mountain View to the Pribilof Islands. As the America250-Alaska co-Commissioner, Ringsmuth will share lessons learned on commemorative anniversaries and, if well planned and executed, how they can be important agents of historic preservation, public history, heritage tourism, and community pride.

This in an event in the 2026-27 Cook Inlet Historical Society Lecture Series. These presentations are virtual, free, and open to the public via Crowdcast; the same link can be used to review the recorded event after the program conclusion. Those attending in person should use the 7th Avenue entrance to access the auditorium.

About the Speaker 
Serving as co-commissioner for America250-Alaska, Dr. Katherine (Katie) Ringsmuth recently spearheaded Alaska’s Week of Dreams, the state’s marquee event celebrating the nation’s 250th birthday. As the Alaska State Historian and Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer, Dr. Ringsmuth represents the State of Alaska on a statewide coalition composed of cultural organizations, Tribal partners, educators, sports leaders, and tourism professionals planning Alaska’s Week of Dreams. Besides being the project coordinator, she curated a nine-panel traveling exhibit and authored the America250-Alaska publication, Alaska’s Fields of Dreamers: America’s Pastime in the Far North. Additional America250 projects include nominating sport and outdoor recreation properties to the National Register of Historic Places, creating an Alaska baseball-themed Story Map, and even an appearance on ESPN SportsCenter.

Ringsmuth works in the Office of History and Archaeology (housed in the Division of Parks and Outdoor Recreation in the Department of Natural Resources), where she oversees Alaska’s National Register program. She has authored five books, including Alaska Skyboys: Cowboy Pilots and the Myth of the Last Frontier, published several articles, including “Field of Dreamers: Baseball in Anchorage, Alaska,” and continues to teach Alaska History at the University of Alaska Anchorage. She has curated two major history exhibitions: Mug Up: The Language of Cannery Work at the Alaska State Museum and Home Field Advantage: Baseball in the Far North at the Anchorage Museum. She earned an M.A. in Northern Studies from the University of Alaska Fairbanks and a Ph.D. in History from Washington State University. Ringsmuth lives in Eagle River, Alaska, with her husband, Eric. Her son Benjamin is pursuing a Business Analytics degree at Oregon State University, and her youngest son, Thomas, is following his dreams at a soccer academy near Munich, Germany.

Photo: MLB Play Ball Youth Clinic at Growden Memorial Ballpark, Fairbanks, America250-Alaska Commission, July 3, 2026. Photograph by Jeff Weinburger.

Cook Inlet Historical Society Presents: Celebrating America250: Alaska’s Year of Dreams