(3:09 min.) (01 of 09) 1. Early life Les's father went north with the gold rush; when he found that the claims had all been staked, he and his partners opened up a paint and wallpaper store. Les moved to Fairbanks with his wife and eldest...
Portrait photograph of Les Nerland. This was taken when he served as a delegate to the Alaska Constitutional Convention, held in Fairbanks at the University of Alaska, November 8, 1955 - February 6, 1956.
(4:49 min.) (02 of 09) 2. Important issues. Les was interested in statehood and getting a fair share for Alaska; he was less interested in specific issues. Proponents of statehood wanted to get out from control of the Department of the...
(03 of 09) 3. Coal; constitutional convention Coal was needed in Fairbanks and was shipped to Korea. Les believed that he was in the middle in terms of political knowledge. He believed there was some political maneuverings to make Bill...
(3:00 min.) (04 of 09) 4. Statehood issues Taxes need to be fair and equal. Money should not be raised except to fund services for the state. Church and State need to be kept separate.
(5:20 min.) (05 of 09) 5. The convention It was a cold winter. Les drove some of the delegates to the University, where the convention was held. Sessions lasted most of the day and near the end there were evening sessions. Les briefly...
(06 of 09) 6. Consultants and committees There were consultants at the convention to offer advice and assistance, including some consultants who were pushing an agenda. Each of the committees made a good effort and the document as a whole...
(4:27 min.) (07 of 09) 7. Most wanted statehood A majority in Fairbanks and Anchorage wanted statehood. Southeast was the only part of the state with reservations. One delegate resigned just prior to ratification because he objected to a...
(3:45 min.) (08 of 09) 8. Rural/Urban divide The borough concept might have been an error. There are some problems between the city and the Borough. Les felt a young state needed a strong executive.
(4:20 min.) (09 of 09) 9. After the convention. Les played a very valuable role in bringing people together. There was great camaraderie among the delegates. Les went home and showed his father a copy of the constitution. His father read...
Les Nerland advocates for Elmer Rasmuson's campaign for U. S. Senate. In the background, construction advances on the Moore-Bartlett-Skarland dormitories. 65-second film clip, color/sound.
Title from sleeve. Fairbanks representative Andrew Nerland stands with Juneau attorney Mildred Herman during a session of Territorial Legislature. 4x5 B&W negative
Fairbanks 1967 flood photographs is a collection of over 200 color slides and currently 3 color photographs developed from the slides. The slides include images of Fairbanks and surrounding areas submerged, notably the downtown area showing water...
Title by cataloguer. From left to right: "Dr. Albrecht, Leo Rhode R. E. Lathrop, Andrew Nerland, Mrs. Hess Dr. Bunnell, William O'Neill, W. T. Stuart, and M.J. Walsh."
Title by cataloguer. This is a group picture of the University of Alaska officials standing in either the library or in an office. From left to right: Unknown, Mr. Luther C. Hess and Mrs. Harriet B. Hess, cap. Austen Eugene Lathrop, and Andrew...
Title taken from front of photograph. "Ordway's Photo shop Juneau Alaska. March 12 1935 Governor Troy approving the Act creating the University of Alaska." Standing from left to right: James Wickersham, Charles Bunnell, Senate President Luther...