'Lewis and Clark' return, now on the journey home
2006 marks bicentennial of Expedition's return trip
By Michele Linck, Journal staff writer | Posted: Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Lewis and Clark not only went up the Missouri River to explore the new American West -- they came back down 25 months later, eager to return home.
Likewise, Lewis and Clark re-enactors who passed through Siouxland two summers ago to commemorate the expedition's bicentennial will trek back through over Labor Day weekend on their return to St. Louis, completing their mission of 200th anniversary observances.
Like Lewis & Clark and company, they'll be in a hurry to get home. On their way, they'll pause to join in several final bicentennial hurrahs in Siouxland, including encampments, demonstrations and a visit to the grave of Sgt. Charles Floyd, the only member of the expedition to die on the journey.
There'll be lots to do and see.
River Conference
Missouri River aficionados can get a head start on the bicentennial observances by attending the first biennial Missouri River History Conference, "Lewis and Clark and the Unbridled Missouri, a River Trail of Discovery: Reflections of 1804-06 and 2006," at Ponca (Neb.) State Park. It will run Aug. 30 through Sept. 1 at the Missouri River Resource and Education Center.
The conference will include presentations by Dr. Gary Moulton, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, editor of the journals of Lewis and Clark, excerpts of which appear daily in The Journal; Shirley Christian, on the river as the "Fur Trade Superhighway;" Dr. John Logan Allen, University of Wyoming, on the river's changing nature from 1804 to present; Dr. Paul Johnsgard, University of Nebraska, on the river's changing wildlife; Jerome Kills Small, University of South Dakota, on the river valley's harvestable foods and medicines; Dr. Hal Stearns, educator and Western historian, on the Lewis and Clark mission; Robert F. and Anne P. Diffendal on the explorers' geological observations; Tim Cowman, South Dakota Geological Survey, on the changing river; and Gerald Mestl, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Fisheries Program manager, on the river's aquatic life.
The conference is sponsored by the Nebraska Game and Fish Commission, Nebraska State Historical Society, Nebraska Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Commission and the National Park Service. For details, call (402) 755-2284, or e-mail jeff.fields@ngpc.ne.gov or jim.swenson@ngpc.ne.gov.
'The Journey Home'
The public event at Ponca State Park will feature the National Park Service's traveling exhibit, The Corps of Discovery II and its "Tent of Many Voices," a keelboat model, dugout canoes and more. The guest speaker schedule is available by calling (402) 755-2284.
The Discovery Expedition, of St. Charles, Mo., will also be on hand, staging a three-day encampment at the park.
Other activities at Ponca State Park:
-- A display of original prints of artist George Catlin of Native American Indians scenes of the Great Plains and other historical displays, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 2-3.
-- Mary Gunderson, author of "The Food Journal of Lewis and Clark," presenting a program about the Expedition's food, book signing. 10 a.m. to noon, Sept. 2
-- Hands-on muzzleloader shooting - 10 a.m. to noon Sept. 2-3
-- Living history demonstrations of camp life, campfire cooking, survival skills, fishing, archer and more, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 2-4
-- "Under the Stars with Lewis & Clark," interpretive hayride featuring river nightlife, astronomy and stories about the after-dark experiences on the Expedition
-- Riverside Cookout featuring bison stew, spoon cornbread, Dutch oven desserts and live music by Walland and Wood, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., Sept. 2
-- Discovery Expedition re-enactors from St. Charles, Mo. -- provide living history interpretation about Corps of Discovery, Sept. 2-3
-- Captain Lewis' Espontoon - learn about Lewis' espontoon while making a walking stick of your own, 2 p.m., Sept. 2
-- Interpretive Horseback Rides - learn about the importance of hordes to the Expedition. Five rides a day, Sept. 2-4, call park office for times, (402) 755-2284
-- Hayrack Park Tours - learn about the natural and cultural history of Ponca State Park, Sept. 2-4
-- Missiouri River Kayaking - paddle the Missouri River into he park's recently restored backwaters 5:30 to 7 p.m, 7 to 8:30 p.m., Sept. 3.
In Sioux City
In Sioux City, the Sergeant Floyd Honor Guard and the Discovery Expedition re-enactors will participate in the historic return trip visit to the grave of Sgt. Charles Floyd, the only member of the Expedition to die on the journey. The Sept. 4 event will differ greatly from the annual re-enactment of Floyd's August burial.
The Discovery Expedition will arrive in Sioux City late in the afternoon or early evening of Sept. 3 in its pirogue and six, 1,400-pound dugout canoes, docking at the Mlr Tym Marina not far from the Sergeant Floyd River Museum and Welcome Center, 1000 Larsen Park Road.
Its members will join the Honor Guard in an encampment near the Welcome Center from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sept. 4, the day the original expedition returned to the Sioux City area. The Honor Guard will also show off its new tipi, which will house a display of historically inspired gifts it received while participating in re-enactments along the Lewis & Clark Trail.
At 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 4, the re-enactors will visit Floyd's grave at the Floyd Monument. Instead of appearing in full military dress, they will be wearing buckskins, shoes and other items Expedition members would have made for themselves after wearing out their uniforms during the long journey.
Five or six members, including Bud Clark, a descendant of Capt. William Clark, will give soliloquies at the gravesite, speaking in the first person about the journey and recalling their memories of Floyd. Mike Berger, local historian will speak as Capt. Meriwether Lewis and Pat Day, a local historian, will portray Floyd's mother. Eugene Gass Painter, a direct descendant of Sgt. Patrick Gass, will speak and his nephews will fire a canon.
Admission is free. Bleachers will be set up, but people are also encouraged to bring lawn chairs and umbrellas, for rain or sun.
Interpretive Center open
The Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, 900 Larsen Park Rd., usually closed on Mondays, will be open from noon to 5 p.m. on Labor Day. Look for future information about special activities there on Sept. 8-9.
Likewise, Lewis and Clark re-enactors who passed through Siouxland two summers ago to commemorate the expedition's bicentennial will trek back through over Labor Day weekend on their return to St. Louis, completing their mission of 200th anniversary observances.
Like Lewis & Clark and company, they'll be in a hurry to get home. On their way, they'll pause to join in several final bicentennial hurrahs in Siouxland, including encampments, demonstrations and a visit to the grave of Sgt. Charles Floyd, the only member of the expedition to die on the journey.
There'll be lots to do and see.
River Conference
Missouri River aficionados can get a head start on the bicentennial observances by attending the first biennial Missouri River History Conference, "Lewis and Clark and the Unbridled Missouri, a River Trail of Discovery: Reflections of 1804-06 and 2006," at Ponca (Neb.) State Park. It will run Aug. 30 through Sept. 1 at the Missouri River Resource and Education Center.
The conference will include presentations by Dr. Gary Moulton, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, editor of the journals of Lewis and Clark, excerpts of which appear daily in The Journal; Shirley Christian, on the river as the "Fur Trade Superhighway;" Dr. John Logan Allen, University of Wyoming, on the river's changing nature from 1804 to present; Dr. Paul Johnsgard, University of Nebraska, on the river's changing wildlife; Jerome Kills Small, University of South Dakota, on the river valley's harvestable foods and medicines; Dr. Hal Stearns, educator and Western historian, on the Lewis and Clark mission; Robert F. and Anne P. Diffendal on the explorers' geological observations; Tim Cowman, South Dakota Geological Survey, on the changing river; and Gerald Mestl, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission Fisheries Program manager, on the river's aquatic life.
The conference is sponsored by the Nebraska Game and Fish Commission, Nebraska State Historical Society, Nebraska Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Commission and the National Park Service. For details, call (402) 755-2284, or e-mail jeff.fields@ngpc.ne.gov or jim.swenson@ngpc.ne.gov.
'The Journey Home'
The public event at Ponca State Park will feature the National Park Service's traveling exhibit, The Corps of Discovery II and its "Tent of Many Voices," a keelboat model, dugout canoes and more. The guest speaker schedule is available by calling (402) 755-2284.
The Discovery Expedition, of St. Charles, Mo., will also be on hand, staging a three-day encampment at the park.
Other activities at Ponca State Park:
-- A display of original prints of artist George Catlin of Native American Indians scenes of the Great Plains and other historical displays, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sept. 2-3.
-- Mary Gunderson, author of "The Food Journal of Lewis and Clark," presenting a program about the Expedition's food, book signing. 10 a.m. to noon, Sept. 2
-- Hands-on muzzleloader shooting - 10 a.m. to noon Sept. 2-3
-- Living history demonstrations of camp life, campfire cooking, survival skills, fishing, archer and more, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sept. 2-4
-- "Under the Stars with Lewis & Clark," interpretive hayride featuring river nightlife, astronomy and stories about the after-dark experiences on the Expedition
-- Riverside Cookout featuring bison stew, spoon cornbread, Dutch oven desserts and live music by Walland and Wood, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., Sept. 2
-- Discovery Expedition re-enactors from St. Charles, Mo. -- provide living history interpretation about Corps of Discovery, Sept. 2-3
-- Captain Lewis' Espontoon - learn about Lewis' espontoon while making a walking stick of your own, 2 p.m., Sept. 2
-- Interpretive Horseback Rides - learn about the importance of hordes to the Expedition. Five rides a day, Sept. 2-4, call park office for times, (402) 755-2284
-- Hayrack Park Tours - learn about the natural and cultural history of Ponca State Park, Sept. 2-4
-- Missiouri River Kayaking - paddle the Missouri River into he park's recently restored backwaters 5:30 to 7 p.m, 7 to 8:30 p.m., Sept. 3.
In Sioux City
In Sioux City, the Sergeant Floyd Honor Guard and the Discovery Expedition re-enactors will participate in the historic return trip visit to the grave of Sgt. Charles Floyd, the only member of the Expedition to die on the journey. The Sept. 4 event will differ greatly from the annual re-enactment of Floyd's August burial.
The Discovery Expedition will arrive in Sioux City late in the afternoon or early evening of Sept. 3 in its pirogue and six, 1,400-pound dugout canoes, docking at the Mlr Tym Marina not far from the Sergeant Floyd River Museum and Welcome Center, 1000 Larsen Park Road.
Its members will join the Honor Guard in an encampment near the Welcome Center from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sept. 4, the day the original expedition returned to the Sioux City area. The Honor Guard will also show off its new tipi, which will house a display of historically inspired gifts it received while participating in re-enactments along the Lewis & Clark Trail.
At 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 4, the re-enactors will visit Floyd's grave at the Floyd Monument. Instead of appearing in full military dress, they will be wearing buckskins, shoes and other items Expedition members would have made for themselves after wearing out their uniforms during the long journey.
Five or six members, including Bud Clark, a descendant of Capt. William Clark, will give soliloquies at the gravesite, speaking in the first person about the journey and recalling their memories of Floyd. Mike Berger, local historian will speak as Capt. Meriwether Lewis and Pat Day, a local historian, will portray Floyd's mother. Eugene Gass Painter, a direct descendant of Sgt. Patrick Gass, will speak and his nephews will fire a canon.
Admission is free. Bleachers will be set up, but people are also encouraged to bring lawn chairs and umbrellas, for rain or sun.
Interpretive Center open
The Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, 900 Larsen Park Rd., usually closed on Mondays, will be open from noon to 5 p.m. on Labor Day. Look for future information about special activities there on Sept. 8-9.
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Lisa Clark from Michigan wrote on Aug 17, 2006 4:37 PM:
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