National History Day is a program that helps students in grades 6-12 develop their knowledge and understanding of history by conducting hands-on research related to an annual theme. Top projects advance through a series of local and state contests to compete in an exciting national contest each June. Alaska’s state level contest is called “History Day in Alaska”.

Sitka National Historical Park encourages all students to find out more about the contest from the national program (www.nationalhistoryday.org) and state program (www.nps.gov/akso/CR/AKRCultural/HistoryDay.htm) websites. The websites can help students find out how to participate in their own state.

Sitka National Historical Park supports a growing local National History Day competition by distributing contest materials, presenting in-class programs on historical research and writing, and coordinating a final competition.

For more information about taking part in Sitka’s local contest, please contact the Interpretation and Education Division at (907)747-0110.