April 2004, Volume 4, Issue 4

LEWIS AND CLARK BICENTENNIAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE APPOINTS NEW MEMBER

Roger D. Daniels has been appointed by Governor Gary Locke to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of former Senator Al Bauer. Roger has been an Administrator at Clark College the last 26 years, and is a member of the East Clark County Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Planning Committee.

Roger authored the resolution passed by the Port of Camas/Washougal Commissioners to name the new park in Washougal: Captain William Clark Park at Cottonwood Beach. He also wrote an article in Columbia Magazine on "Provision Camp" that appeared in the October 2002 issue.

Roger's field experience with Lewis and Clark includes excursions on the Columbia River between Washougal and Bonneville Dam, Washougal and the Willamette River, and Cathlamet to Astoria, having formerly participated in the reenactment of Lt. William Broughton's row up the Columbia River in 1992.

Roger has long been active in civic affairs including serving as co-chair of the successful bond campaign to raise $51 million to remodel Washougal Public Schools in 1999. Plus two successful Maintenance and Operations Levies for Washougal Public Schools. Roger was selected as "Citizen of the Year" by the Camas/Washougal Chamber of Commerce in 2001.

He was the first undergraduate from the University of Washington selected as an LBJ Congressional Intern (Congressman Mike McCormack, 1973-74). He is also a current member of the American Legion Post 122, Cape Horn-Skye.

SAVE AMERICA'S TREASURES GRANT PROGRAM

The Federal Save America's Treasures Grants are administered by the National Park Service in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Institute of Museum and Library Services and the President's Committee on the Arts and the Humanities.

Grants are available for preservation and/or conservation work on nationally significant intellectual and cultural artifacts and nationally significant historic structures and sites. Intellectual and cultural artifacts include artifacts, collections, documents, sculpture, and works of art. Historic structures and sites include historic districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects. Grants are awarded through a competitive process.

Grants require a dollar-for-dollar non-Federal match, which can be cash, donated services, or use of equipment. The grant and the non-Federal match must be used during the grant period (generally 2 to 3 years) to execute the project. The minimum grant request for collections projects is $50,000 Federal share; the minimum grant request for historic property projects is $250,000 Federal share. The maximum grant request for all projects is $1 million Federal share. The Save America's Treasures Grants Selection Panel may, at its discretion, award less than the minimum grant request. In 2003, the average Federal grant award to collections was $172,000, and the average award to historic properties was $268,000.

Website is http://www2.cr.nps.gov/treasures/

Applications for the 2004 grants must be received by 5 p.m. Eastern Daylight Savings time, Wednesday, May 19, 2004.

LEWIS AND CLARK AT THE WASHINGTON STATE HISTORY MUSEUM IN TACOMA

Exhibits

Beyond Lewis and Clark: The Army Explores the West
Nearly two hundred years ago, army captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clark and their Corps of Discovery headed west with orders from President Thomas Jefferson to find a route to the Pacific Ocean and document the land and peoples they encountered on their way. The Lewis and Clark expedition became a model for subsequent army expeditions. An eight-decade story of army exploration west of the Mississippi is traced in the exhibition. Among the hundreds of images and objects in the exhibit are Meriwether Lewis's air rifle, original field notes and maps drafted by William Clark, and items associated with the Isaac Stevens railroad survey and treaty tour. WSHM will be the only West Coast venue to present this nationally touring exhibit. Sunday, February 15, through Sunday, October 31, 2004.

EXPERIENCE THE LEWIS AND CLARK EXPEDITION

Living History Encampment on the grounds of the State Capital Museum in Olympia, Washington, April 29 - May 1, 2004

The State Capital Museum and the Washington State Historical Society present:

The Hog Heaven Muzzleloaders of Moscow, Idaho

Experience the Lewis and Clark Expedition from historians who have covered much of the Trail by foot, horse, or dugout canoe. The re-enactors include experts from Washington's Lewis and Clark Trail State Park, the Army Corps of Engineers, and the Washington National Guard. The museum is proud to host this exclusive Puget Sound appearance.

You are invited to a series of public events during the three-day encampment:

• Campfire Programs at 7:00 PM on
  Thursday, April 29 and Friday, April 30
• Public Tours of the Encampment on Saturday, May 1, from 9 AM to 2 PM

Thursday Evening Campfire Features:

Captain William Clark, portrayed by Craig "Rocky" Rockwell of the US Army Corps of Engineers, Clarkston, Washington. Rockwell is a well-known Clark re-enactor.

Sacagawea, portrayed by Terri Purcell, Lewis and Clark Congressional Liaison. Purcell represents the Washington National Guard on the Lewis and Clark State Agency Action Team, which coordinates bicentennial events along the Trail and Captain Meriwether Lewis's dog Seaman, portrayed by Sam the Newfoundland.

Friday Evening Campfire Features:

Sergeant Patrick Gass, portrayed by Gary Lentz, superintendent of Lewis and Clark Trail State Park in Dayton, Washington, and a noted expert on the Expedition. Learn about the Corps of Discovery's medicine and Gass's journals.

Fiddle music of the Lewis & Clark era performed by father and son musicians Mark and Tanner Johnson of Portland, Oregon.

Saturday Public Tours:

Visit the Six Encampment Stations: Tools and Animals of the Expedition, Camp Life and Accoutrements, the Captains' Tent with a recreated Writing Desk, Surveying and Navigational Equipment, Trade Goods and Gifts, an exhibition of Dugout Canoe Making, and Foods of the Expedition, among other features.

For more information please contact the State Capital Museum at 360-753-2580.

CHALLENGE COST SHARE AWARDS ANNOUNCED

Project title: Chinook Tribal Heritage and the Corps of Discovery
Project summary: The focus of the 2004-05 Chinook Tribal Heritage and the Corps of Discovery Project proposed by the Chinook Tribal Council and the Tribe's Culture Committee as follows: (1) Continue participation in regional and national collaborative efforts in response to ongoing planning for a bi-state signature event and linked activities. (2) Continue Tribal Bicentennial interpretive activities (3) Continue the education and training of Tribal members as Chinook Cultural Guides. (4) Continue Chinook cultural renewal activities. (5) Design and construct a sea going Chinook Canoe(28 to 35 ft.) in preparation for the "Crossing". Establish a Chinook youth canoe society.
Organization: Chinook Tribe of Indians
Funding: $10,000.00

Project title: Public Historical Education and Program Development
Project summary: The funds are requested to develop programs and promote public education in cooperation with the Corps II exhibit, Destination the Pacific signature event, Fort Clatsop/Station Camp expansion/dedication and other commemorative events along the trail. These activities preserve the heritage of the Lewis and Clark expedition because it increases public understanding of the expedition and the role of the Native Americans in it. Corps II, and the expected expansion of Fort Clatsop in Washington will enhance public educational opportunities along the Snake and Columbia River segments of the LCNHT.
Organization: Washington State Historical Society
Funding: $15,000.00

Project title: Lewis and Clark Fortnight
Project summary: Lewis & Clark spent 12 days in Clark County. To commemorate the event, the local committee is plannning two events, Lewis & Clark Fortnight (Nov 1-14, 2005) and Provision Camp Re-enactment, (March 25-April 7, 2006.) The project is to hire a temporary part-time event planner. The Vancouver/Clark Co area is one of the largest on the Trail and the goal is the involve people from the Clark Co & Portland region. The second need is to hire a consultant to update the website with tribal homeland. The local committee is working closely with tribes who need to be represented.
Organization: Lewis & amp;Clark Committee Vancouver/Clark Co, WA
Funding: $5,000.00

Project title: Capt. William Clark Park at Cottonwood Beach
Project summary: This project preserves the heritage of the Expedition by providing interpretation of the Expedition's stay at Cottonwood Beach. The Expedition established a 'provision camp' at the site from March 31 to April 6, 1806. This project provides information about their 'provision camp' by constructing interpretive panels, sculptures and full-size replicas of Lewis & Clark's dug-out canoes and Chinook canoes for visitors to the park as well as provides an outdoor classroom setting for local schools studying the Expedition. The interpretive elements have been designed and will be constructed in accord with the park's completed interpretive plan and development master plan.
Organization: Clark County, Washington
Funding: $70,000.00

Project title: Cathlapotle Plankhouse Project: Building a Future for the Past
Project summary: As one of the largest Chinookan villages Lewis and Clark encountered, today Cathlapotle is significant as one of the few archaeological sites on the Lower Columbia River unscathed by development. A decade of archaeological research has produced a wealth of information about the Cathlapotle people who lived on the river long before Lewis and Clark first observed the settlement in 1805. The construction of a full-scale Chinook-style cedar plankhouse will serve as the physical infrastructure for interpreting to the public the rich natural and cultural heritage preserved on Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge through the site of Cathlapotle.
Organization: Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Committee of Vancouver/ Clark County
Funding: $50,000.00

Project title: Strawberry Island TrailHead
Project summary: The City of N. Bonneville will be working closely with the Army Corps of Engineers to create and install a kiosk at the trailhead for Strawberry Island together with interpretive maps/guides and webpage devoted to the interpretation of the events and people encounter around Strawberry Island - named by Captain Clark October 31, 1805. There are 6 miles of trails on the island, which connect to the historic site of Ft. Cascades. The City of North Bonneville owns the recreational park adjacent to Strawberry Island. The City is applying for matching funds for a trailhead kiosk, Trail Maps/guides for visitors, and webpage.
Organization: City of North Bonneville
Funding: $5,000.00

Project title: Lewis and Clark Overlook and Native Plant Garden
Project summary: Maryhill Museum is moving forward to complete the enhancement of the Lewis and Clark Overlook Site begun in 2002 with accessible pathways out to the Overlook and through a native plant garden with interpretive panels on the botany work done by the Corps of Discovery, cultural information about the plants from our American Indian neighbors, and current botanical information about the plants themselves. We are requesting funding from the NPS Challenge Cost Share Program to support the construction of the accessible walkways.
Organization: Maryhill Museum of Art
Funding: $25,000.00

57th ANNUAL PACIFIC NORTHWEST HISTORY CONFERENCE

May 6-8, 2004
Red Lion Hotel, Olympia, Washington

Permanently sponsored by the Washington State Historical Society in conjunction with the annual conferences of the Northwest Archivists, Inc. and the Northwest Oral History Association with co-sponsorship from the Idaho State Historical Society & Oregon Historical Society.

For the first time in many years, the Northwest Archivists, the Northwest Oral History Association, and the Pacific Northwest History Conference are meeting together. The theme for the joint conference, "Collaborations: Recording, Researching, and Writing Pacific Northwest History," recognizes the importance of each of these groups in the preservation and interpretation of our regional history.

For LC enthusiasts, this session may be of particular interest.
Saturday, May 8, at 9:15am
Lewis & Clark: New Interpretations
Chair: Lauren Danner, Washington State Historical Society
Rex Ziak, Pacific County, Wrinkles in History: Debunking the Myths and Errors in the Story of Lewis and Clark's Arrival at the Pacific Ocean; David Nicandri, Washington State Historical Society, Columbia's Country and the Dissolution of Meriwether Lewis.

For more information about the conference and how to obtain a program and registration materials, please contact Mark Vessey at 360-586-0219, or mvessey@wshs.wa.gov. You can also download a Word document or PDF at: http://www.washingtonhistory.org/wshs/hrc/conferences.htm

WEBSITE OF THE MONTH

By Sharon Hultman, WSHS Webmaster

Fallout Over Freedom
The conflict between Clark and York, the Corps of Discovery's enslaved African adventurer.

Produced by University of Nebraska doctoral student, Áhati N. N. Touré, Fallout Over Freedom is an African American's look at the Lewis & Clark Expedition. The narrative begins two years after the Corps of Discovery made its triumphant return to civilization, with York and his owner, William Clark, at odds. The white members of the Corps of Discovery received fame and material compensation for their efforts, and York was not unaware of the importance of his own contribution to the success of the expedition. He wanted freedom as his reward.

Upon the death of his father in 1799, Clark inherited York, his parents, and his sisters, along with livestock and other plantation equipment. While he viewed himself as a most tolerant master, he nonetheless rejected any notion that York should be freed, and in an effort to "correct" York's independent attitude, evidently beat him severely. As the story goes, six or more years after the Expedition, York finally became a free man.

The author, however, speculates that York was very likely never freed—in fact, citing Clark's bitterness toward York in later years, he outlines an argument for the idea that York may have actually escaped. He cites the tale of a witness who in 1832 met an elderly black man living among the Crow Indians in Wyoming who boasted of having crossed the continent with Lewis and Clark in support of this theory.

"Fallout Over Freedom" is an interesting read, and presents an unique viewpoint on the role of York with regard to the Expedition, his life thereafter, and the continuing impact his story has on contemporary African Americans.

EVENTS LISTING

We are now listing bicentennial events and promotions in a large, searchable database, with several different search criteria, freeing up space in the electronic newsletter for more news-related items. If you would like to have an event or promotion listed in this new database, please direct all information to Mark Vessey at mvessey@wshs.wa.gov and he will post the listing.

To access this new feature, visit our website at www.washingtonhistory.org/lewisandclark and click the Bicentennial Events Calendar Database at the top of the page —or click on the link below.

PLEASE LOOK for additional information and updates on Bicentennial planning activities and projects in next month's e-newsletter.

ALSO - if you have articles or news-worthy information that you would like to contribute to this e-newsletter or to Washington's quarterly bicentennial newsletter, please contact Mark Vessey at 360.586.0219 or mvessey@wshs.wa.gov.

The Washington State Historical Society, lead agency of the state's Agency Assistance Team (AAT) for bicentennial planning, will send this newsletter via e-mail on a monthly basis to provide updates on events, projects, and activities going on around the state in preparation for the commemoration.

Your name is in the state's Lewis and Clark Trail database as someone who has expressed interest in the bicentennial. If you do not want to continue to receive this newsletter and/or other bicentennial communications, reply to this e-mail or contact Mark Vessey at the Heritage Resource Center 360.586.0219.