Venables to dress as William Seward in Tuesday program

JUNEAU - Monday is the celebrated Seward's Day holiday for government workers, but March 30, 1867, is the day that William Henry Seward finalized the contract to purchase Alaska from Russia, says historian John Venables, of Juneau.

Venables will dress as Seward in his program "The Day the Sun Stood Still" at 7 p.m. Tuesday in Centennial Hall's Egan Room. Admission is free. Refreshments and door prizes will be available.

He will tell interesting stories relating to Seward's Aug. 7, 1869, visit to Klukwan, the native village about 20 miles from present day Haines. This was Seward's only visit to Alaska in 1869, after retiring from government service.

"Seward was with Professor Davidson to witness the Eclipse of the Sun," Venables said. "Klukwan was believed to be the best location in North America for seeing this spectacular event."