Celebrating 50 years on the Kenai Peninsula

In 1972 the Kenai Historical Society held a borough wide get-together at Fort Kenai. They invited representatives of local historical societies and museums, as well as other groups and individuals interested in promoting the Peninsula’s past.

At the meeting the groups shared their accomplishments and agreed that they could multiply their effectiveness if they joined forces under the umbrella of a regional historical association.

The We Care” Committee was formed to organize the new association. Jettie Petersen of Kenai chaired the committee to formulate a Constitution with input from appointed representatives of Hope, Seward, Kenai, Soldotna, Ninilchik, Kasilof and Homer.

 A year later, on April 7, 1973 at a meeting hosted by the Homer Society of Natural History, representatives from the Kenai Peninsula approved the draft Constitution and elected officers.

·        Margaret Anderson of Homer was elected its first Chairman.

·        Edwina Copeland of Seward, Vice Chairman, and

·        Frances Thompson of Homer as Secretary/Treasurer.

Since then, KPHA has met twice a year with its annual meeting being held each May.

KPHA membership is open to any historical society, organization, or individual that supports our mission to promote the history and heritage of the Kenai Peninsula.