These special centennial events are made possible through partnerships with the Katmai Conservancy and explore.org.

Saturday, April 28, 2018
University of Alaska Anchorage
10:00 am – 3:00 pm

Centennial kickoff event with presentations on the geology and cultural history of Katmai, with performances of traditional Suqpiaq dances. Lunch will be provided.

Throughout the summer of 2018

Twice-monthly webinar series

Saturday, September 22, 2018
Naknek, Alaska
Closing event with presentations on the history and culture of fisheries in the Bristol Bay region.

Katmai’s Big Bang

Although many people know Katmai for its population of brown bears, Katmai was first established in 1918 as a national monument to protect and study the site of the 1912 eruption of Novarupta, the largest volcanic eruption of the 20th century. Botanist Robert F. Griggs was fascinated by the cataclysmic eruption and its effect on the surrounding landscape. He led multiple expeditions funded by National Geographic to the site of the cataclysmic event.

Completely taken with the remarkable volcanic terrain in front of him, he dubbed the land the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes and pushed to have the land protected by an act of Congress. Thus in 1918, Congress established Katmai National Monument, a place to protect, interpret, and study active volcanism. After multiple expansions, Katmai officially became a national park in 1980. Katmai National Park & Preserve has world class wildlife viewing, incredible salmon runs, thousands of years of human history, and four million acres of mountains, rivers, and coast.

Merchandise

Be sure to stop by Katmai’s visitor centers at King Salmon and the park to shop our gorgeous line of Centennial merchandise, from art prints to T-shirts. This special merchandise won’t last long once the season is underway, and is not likely to be available again for another hundred years!