David Tarcy and Jennifer Romer will explore the less well-known impacts of the 1964 earthquake on smaller communities in Prince William Sound and the Kodiak Archipelago. These were predominately Alaska Native, Alutiiq communities, or communities largely comprised of Alaska Native inhabitants.

Special attention will be given to the community of Chenega in Prince William Sound and the twenty-year interim period between the earthquake and the establishment of the new Chenega Bay community on Evans Island in 1984. Included are excerpts of a recorded interview with Larry Evanoff, who grew up in Chenega, was a central figure in re-establishing the new community, and is now President of the Chenega IRA Council. The interview was conducted by Jennifer Romer.

This is the fifth talk in the Cook Inlet Historical Society’s 2021-2022 Lecture Series.

David Tarcy is a local small business owner in Anchorage, providing research and evaluation services to school districts, non-profits, and state agencies. He holds a Ph.D. in Educational Communication and Technology from New York University and has Master of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees in secondary education, comprehensive social sciences. David considers himself fortunate to live in such a rich cultural, historical, and natural setting that continually offers new opportunities for learning and growth.

Jennifer Romer is the Social Studies Curriculum Coordinator for the Anchorage School District. She has fifteen years of classroom and athletic coaching experience in multiple subject areas. She studied history and political science as an undergraduate at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. She also holds a MEd in Secondary Social Studies from George Washington University, and an M.S. in Sports Business from New York University.

Blessing of the new bidarka, Chenega, Alaska, ca. 1939-1959.

Alaska State Library, Evelyn Butler and George Dale Photographs, Image ID No. P306-1250.

Cook Inlet Historical Society Lecture: Alaska Native Coastal Communities and the 1964 Earthquake