FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LEWIS AND CLARK: THE NATIONAL BICENTENNIAL EXHIBITION WALKTHROUGH
Entrance
Prior to entering the gallery, visitors can study a large wall map that highlights tribal lands in 1804─1806 and today. A statue of Thomas Jefferson and a statue by the Wishram peoples of the Columbia River Gorge greet visitors as they enter the exhibition.
Orientation Video
An 11-minute film introduces visitors to the story of the Lewis and Clark expedition, as well as the cultural landscape of the expedition route.
The Imaginary West
The first of several “theme sections” of the exhibition explores the knowledge and perception of the West prior to the expedition, preparation and training for the expedition, and the impact of the Louisiana Purchase on the expedition. Highlighted artifacts include
- Theodolite (scientific instrument used for measuring latitude and longitude) owned by Thomas Jefferson
- Aaron Arrowsmith’s 1802 map of the continent
- Portraits of Lewis and Clark handed down through their families until given to the Missouri Historical Society in the 1920s and 30s
Up the Missouri
This is the first of several “journey sections” in the exhibition. It traces the expedition’s first weeks on the Missouri River. Topics explored in the room include the importance of journaling and documentation to the expedition, as well as the importance of scientific exploration to the mission. Highlighted artifacts include
- One of Lewis’s journals
- Pocket compass from the expedition
- Minerals gathered during the expedition
- An illustration of the magpie sent from Lewis back to Jefferson during the expedition
Discovering Diplomacy
This section focuses on the importance of diplomacy to the success of the expedition and perspectives on that diplomacy from members of the expedition and Indians they encountered, notably the Teton Sioux. Highlighted artifacts include
- Pipe tomahawk owned by Meriwether Lewis
- Peace medals used during the early 1800s
- Hunkpapa Sioux horse dance club
Winter with the Mandan
This section describes the Mandan lifestyle and how the Mandan aided the expedition during the winter of 1805–1806. Highlighted artifacts include
- Painting of an Arikara village
- Fiddle and other musical instruments
- Trade beads
Women and Geography
This theme section examines the role of women in Indian and Euro-American society, Sacagawea’s role in the expedition, and Indian map making. Highlighted artifacts include
- Plains Indian woman’s dress
- Image of the Mandan woman, Yellow Corn, taken from a painting of her made during her visit to Washington, DC
- Portrait of Lewis’s mother, Lucy Marks
- Map drawn for the Corps by Mandan chief Shehek-Shote
To the Mountains
This section reflects the lands traveled by the expedition after they left the Mandan and as they approached the Rocky Mountains. Topics explored in this room include the Indians’ regard for animals, Lewis’s regard for the grizzly bear and traveling difficulties in this area. Highlighted artifacts include
- Grizzly bear
- Elk antlers collected by Lewis and sent back to Jefferson
- Thunderbird moccasins
Crossing the Divide
Topics explored in this room include the physical act of crossing the geographic Continental Divide, as well as the cultural divide and language barriers that had to be crossed by the expedition. A video re-creates the first meeting with the Shoshones, as well as Sacagawea’s role in that meeting. Highlighted artifacts include
- Telescope owned by Meriwether Lewis
- Shoshone parfleche
Dressed in Courage
This theme room explores the importance of clothing in communication as members of the expedition interacted with Indians. The focus is on soldier/warrior uniforms, as well as other types of clothing used by each group. Highlighted artifacts include
- Portrait of Lewis in the ermine mantle he received from Cameawhait
- Replica uniform of the US Army in the early 1800s
- Indian warrior clothing of the time including a war shirt
- Lewis’s Masonic apron
- Lakota raven bustle
Across the Mountains and Ocean in View
The next sections follow the expedition through the plateau region, the Columbia River valley and to the coast. Highlighted artifacts include
- Socks of the type worn at the time
- Paintings depicting the expedition’s time in the mountains
- Whalebone club
- Klickitat bag for holding salmon
Trade and Property
Topics explored in this section include Euro-American and Indian views of trade, commerce, property, ownership and currency. Highlighted artifacts include
- Branding iron found in the Columbia River valley with the words Capt. M. Lewis on it
- Dentalium shell belt
- Bowl made of mountain sheep horn
- Spanish dollar
Curing and Plants
The next theme section examines Indian and Euro-American use of plants as medicines and the importance of identifying and preserving plants to the expedition’s scientific mission. Highlighted artifacts include
- Surgical kit of the time period
- Plant specimens preserved during the expedition
- Blackfoot woman’s medicine case
Down the Missouri
The final journey section reflects the lands traveled by the expedition as they make their way back to St. Louis. Topics explored in this room include Lewis’s incident with the Blackfoot and the speed of the return trip. Highlighted artifacts include
- Blackfoot war shirt
- Pistols of the time period
Discovering Each Other
The final section of the exhibition explores the impact of the expedition, and how the members recorded and shared their findings. A video explores what the Indians and Euro-Americans learned about each other and the land they lived in as a result of the expedition. Highlighted artifacts include
- Effigy pipe bowl
- Winter count
- Engravings of birds described by Lewis and Clark
- Clark’s map of the continent drawn after the expedition concluded
Touch Carts & Roving Interpreters
Visitors can explore hands-on objects at two touch carts and with roving volunteer interpreters throughout the exhibition. Hands-on artifacts will highlight a number of themes including the equipment the Corps took with them, their explorations of the natural world, and the native peoples they encountered.
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Many of the Museum’s educational programs and exhibits are made possible in part by generous funding from the citizens of the seven-county metro area through the Scientific & Cultural Facilities District (SCFD).
