Travel up the Missouri River was difficult and exhausting due to heat, injuries, insects, and the troublesome river itself, with its strong current and many snags. An additional group of men, engagés, would travel only to the Mandan country for the first winter, and these included six soldiers and several French boatmen. The party numbered over 45, and included 27 young, unmarried soldiers, a French-Indian interpreter, and Clark's Black slave York. On William Clark and the Corps of Discovery left Camp River Dubois, and were joined by Meriwether Lewis in St. Louis, conferring with traders about the Upper Missouri regions and obtaining maps made by earlier explorers. While there he recruited and trained men, while Lewis spent time in St. In December 1803 William Clark established "Camp River Dubois" at the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, north of St. Jefferson envisioned the nation's eventual expansion to the Pacific, and wanted to strengthen the American claim to the northwest Columbia Basin. The Louisiana Purchase of 1803 had doubled the size of the nation, but a good share of the territory the expedition would explore was unmapped. Lewis and Clark were instructed to observe and record the entire range of natural history and ethnology of the areas they explored, and note possible resources which would support future settlement.
Jefferson provided the best supplies, clothing, firearms, equipment and rations then available. The expedition was meant to prepare the way for the extension of the American fur trade and to advance geographical knowledge. Jefferson's final instructions to Lewis reflect the broad range of the President's interests. The indigenous Native Americans were already very familiar with these "discoveries." Even though an easy water route across the continent was not found, these accomplishments make the Lewis and Clark Expedition one of the most successful explorations of all time. The geography, flora, fauna and other natural phenomena they documented resulted in an enormous body of scientific information that was new to the western world. The people they encountered represented dozens of unique cultures, and enabled the successful completion of their mission. The beauty they discovered was beyond their wildest expectations. Please contact the Interpretive Center for more information.These were the final instructions given to Meriwether Lewis and William Clark before they embarked upon their journey into the Louisiana Purchase. Please contact the Interpretive Center for more information on school group visits.īringing a tour group? Make arrangements in advance and your group of 20 or more may be eligible for a discounted group rate. Interactive displays are complimented by a variety of educational films, live interpretive programs, and historic demonstrations on a daily basis.ĭuring the school year, teachers can schedule a Lewis and Clark or Indian Education field trip which includes a classroom session, tour of the exhibit hall, and educational film. Travel through the landscape of the expedition, and observe the plants, animals, and native peoples much as the Corps of Discovery did. Louis, Missouri, peaking along the Pacific coast, and returning to St. Walk through time in the 6,000 square foot exhibit space starting in St. Over 4,000 miles of rough, rugged terrain challenged the Corps’ 30 men, 1 woman, and 1 baby. Retrace the more than 200 year old journey of Captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clark and the Corps of Discovery. Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center