February 2004, Volume 4, Issue 2

BREAKING NEWS!
SECRETARY NORTON CALLS FOR LEGISLATION
TO CREATE LEWIS & CLARK NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Secretary of the Interior Gale Norton announced today that the Bush administration is proposing legislation to expand Fort Clatsop National Memorial in Oregon to include three sites along the lower Columbia River in Washington state. The legislation would rename the park as the Lewis & Clark National Historical Park.

"With the Bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark Expedition underway, it is important to create legislation to protect the sites in Washington where the explorers first camped when they reached the Pacific Ocean," said Secretary Norton, who chairs the federal Bicentennial commemoration. " Bicentennial visitors and future generations of Americans can then visit the place at the mouth of the Columbia River where Captain William Clark was inspired to exclaim, 'Ocian in view! O the joy' in his November 7, 1805 journal. They can imagine his elation at finally seeing the Pacific at the end of an arduous journey that had started almost three years earlier at President Jefferson’s Virginia home."

The Department of the Interior released the results of a National Park Service study of the proposed sites and draft legislation to create the expanded park. The legislation was requested by Rep. Brian Baird (D-WA). Creation of the park has support from Senators Ron Wyden (D-OR), Gordon Smith (R-OR), Maria Cantwell (D-WA) and Patty Murray (D-WA) and Rep. David Wu (D-OR), as well as communities and state agencies preparing for Bicentennial events in Washington and Oregon in 2005.

" We very much appreciate the leadership of the Governor and Members of Congress who have shown broad bipartisan support for the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial," Norton said. " We look forward to working with the Washington and Oregon delegations and the appropriate congressional committees to gain passage of the legislation." Eighty Members of Congress currently belong to the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Congressional Caucus.

The Oregon and Washington congressional delegations worked with the Department of Interior to pass Public Law 107-221, the Fort Clatsop Expansion Act, signed by President Bush in August 2002. The law authorized expansion of Fort Clatsop and called for the NPS study of the three sites. The National Park Service study released today recommends addition of the three sites in Washington to the Fort Clatsop unit. The proposed legislation would authorize incorporation of the sites with Fort Clatsop into the new Lewis and Clark National Historical Park. The sites are: Station Camp off U.S. 101, Megler’s Safety Rest Area, a few yards down 101--Clark’s Dismal Nitch that was the site of an historic Corps of Discovery vote--and federal land within Fort Canby State Park, where a memorial to Thomas Jefferson would be developed. The sites will be protected through a partnership of federal and state governments and willing private sellers. Under the study’s recommended alternative, the partnership would also link state parks associated with the Lewis and Clark story with the federal park to foster cooperation and collaboration.

"Just as the members of the Lewis and Clark Expedition depended on cooperation and collaboration to plan and implement their adventure, we need those same qualities today to preserve our nation’s history," Norton said.

More information on the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial is available at www.lewisandclark200.gov, a website prepared by a partnership of many federal agencies. Information on the existing Fort Clatsop can be found at http://www.lewisandclark200.gov/people_land_water/oregon.html and http://www.nps.gov/focl/index.htm.

LEWIS AND CLARK AT THE WASHINGTON STATE HISTORY MUSEUM IN TACOMA

Pierre Cruzatte: A Musical Journey Along the Lewis & Clark Trail

Playing fiddle, jaw harp, bones, spoons, and other instruments of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, Daniel Slosberg brings to life Pierre Cruzatte, Lewis and Clark's main boatman and most esteemed musician. This family program takes audiences on an unforgettable musical voyage with stops along the way for humorous and moving stories about the journey and Cruzatte's critical contributions to it.

Tickets are available by calling 253-798-5902.Adult tickets cost $7.50 museum members, $10.50 general public; Children's tickets cost $4 museum members, $5 general public. Performances begin at 2 PM. Saturday March 27 and Sunday March 28, 2 PM.

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.

Lewis and Clark Revisited: A Trail in Modern Day
Photographs by Greg MacGregor
This exhibit features contemporary photographs of the Lewis & Clark trail by Greg MacGregor, highlighting the differences modern development has made to scenes describes in Lewis & Clark's journals. Organized by Smith Kramer Fine Arts. Sunday, February 15, through Sunday, April 4, 2004.

DESTINATION: THE PACIFIC DATE CHANGE
November 11 - 15, 2005

In response to research, expressed community needs, and other scheduled events, the board of Destination:The Pacific has decided to move its planned signature event at the mouth of the Columbia to the Veteran's Day weekend, 2005.

Destination: The Pacific now takes place Friday, November 11th through Tuesday, November 15th, ending with the dedication of the proposed new state/national park unit at Station Camp.

Major events planned between November 11th and 15th are as follows:

• Ocian in View - a forum for speakers and panelists focused on history, tribal issues and stewardship. Interpreted tours of Pacific and Clatsop County sites.
• Consider the Columbia - an opportunity to experience the epic sweep of the River while standing on the Astoria- Megler Bridge.
• The Exposition - a festival with vendors, musicians, story tellers, demonstrations and entertainment. We are encouraging wide tribal participation.
• The Gala and performing arts programs - celebration of the history of the area and the resiliency of its peoples.
• The Dedication of Station Camp and reenactment of the Arrival - sponsored by the Washington State Historical Society.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR DEVELOPMENT OF LOWER COLUMBIA RIVER WATER TRAIL GIS INTERNET INFORMATION SERVER & WEB SITE

Proposals Due: 5:00 pm March 4, 2004
Submit Proposal To: Chris Hathaway
hathaway.chris@lcrep.org
www.lcrep.org

The Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership is seeking a contractor to design, develop, install and test to the Estuary Partnership's satisfaction, an online, database driven "Lower Columbia River Water Trail GIS and Internet Information Server" to provide non-motorized boating information to the public via the Internet. The Lower Columbia River Water Trail is a 146 mile, bi-state trail on the Lower Columbia River from Bonneville Dam to the Pacific Ocean with launch and landing sites, campsites, and other facilities. The trail targets non-motorized boaters (generally kayaks, canoes, rowboats, etc). Data will consist of water bodies, launch and landing sites, campsites, facility details, pertinent safety information and other information benefiting non-motorized boaters. All sites will be GIS referenced. Data will be delivered via a point-and-click map interface with options to zoom and to query by specific site attributes, such as location and facility characteristics. The database will be administrator-updateable via a secure web browser interface.

The project must be on-line by May 31, 2004 or earlier. The contract will not exceed $40,000 including all expenses and materials. The contractor must coordinate with the Estuary Partnership's server hosting provider (currently Website Today) where the web site will be housed, or detail an alternative hosting solution. The contractor shall provide a maintenance schedule and a detailed estimate of expected yearly maintenance costs and tasks. For more information please go to: www.lcrep.org/whats_new.htm

LEWIS AND CLARK COMMEMORATIVE STAMP FIRST DAY OF ISSUE CEREMONY

The United States Postal Service have decided to hold a first day of issue ceremony in each of the eleven states along the western leg of the expedition trail on May 14, 2004.

The Washington venue is the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center at Cape Disappointment State Park. Oregon's will be at Fort Clatsop National Memorial.

NEW TIMED TICKET SYSTEM STARTING FOR FORT CLATSOP NATIONAL MEMORIAL

Tickets Now On Sale for Popular Lewis and Clark Site
First Phase of New Shuttle System
A New Way To Visit Fort Clatsop

More "explorers" are coming to Fort Clatsop National Memorial during the 2004-2006 Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Commemoration. In order to ensure that their visit is a good experience a timed entry ticket will be needed for Fort Clatsop from June 14th, 2004 through Labor Day, 2004. Timed tickets go on sale February 9th. Visitors should get tickets in advance online at: http://reservations.nps.gov or by phone at 1-800-967-2283 (TTY/TDD 1-888-530-9769).

The timed tickets to Fort Clatsop will also serve as a three-day pass on the regional Lewis and Clark Explorer Shuttle. By riding the Explorer Shuttle, visitors will launch their Lewis and Clark experience with ease, freedom and a sense of discovery. On the Explorer people can visit the Lewis and Clark sites from Long Beach, WA to Cannon Beach, OR including Fort Clatsop National Memorial, the Salt Works, Ecola State Park, Fort Stevens State Park and Cape Disappointment State Park. Parking at Lewis and Clark sites in the region can be very limited. Visitors are encouraged to leave their vehicle at their lodging, campground or designated day parking lots in the communities and take the Lewis and Clark Explorer Shuttle. (The parking lot at the Fort Clatsop's visitor center will only be accessed by shuttle bus from June 14 through Labor Day.) For information about the Explorer Shuttle go to www.ridethebus.org

For information about Fort Clatsop National Memorial, the timed ticket system and shuttle system go to www.nps.gov/focl/

WEBSITE OF THE MONTH
By Sharon Hultman, WSHS Webmaster

Lewis & Clark: Mapping the West

Mapping the West is a virtual exhibit from the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, appearing on EdGate, a website founded by "a group of innovative educators and parents in Washington State's Peninsula School District." It is a wonderful, informative site, containing professionally-written articles and the usual high quality graphics one expects from the Smithsonian.

Although dealing primarily with the topic of cartography, Mapping the West also contains a general overview of the expedition. Particularly fascinating to this reviewer was the section titled Indian Country, which discusses the cultural diversity of the Native American tribes the Corps of Discovery encountered along the way, and the geographical information imparted by the natives, often by lines drawn on the ground to represent rivers, and "heeps of sand on each side which he informed me represented the vast mountains of rock eternally covered with snow which the river passed."

EdGate has modified the content somewhat, scattering links to additional educational materials (digitized maps, biographies, and Quicktime media) throughout the pages. These additional content links are useful, if a bit disorienting at first, but a fair number of them have expired.

2004 TRIBAL HISTORIC PRESERVATION GRANTS

If you are interested in grants for Tribal Historic Preservation go to the following web page for more information. Deadline: March 17, 2004.

http://www2.cr.nps.gov/tribal/grants.htm

LEWIS & CLARK DISCOVERY BOXES AVAILABLE THROUGH JUNE 2004!

Good News! Due to overwhelming response, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers "Lewis and Clark Discovery Boxes" will remain available for purchase through June 30, 2004. The boxes, developed by the Corps of Engineers, are designed for interpretive staff to use as educational tools for school and visitor center programs commemorating the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial. Nationwide interest from schools, museums, and visitor centers prompted the vendor to make the boxes available for an extended period of time.

The Lewis and Clark Discovery Boxes are educational trunks containing reproduction artifacts, posters, books and other materials that focus on the Army story of the Lewis and Clark expedition. The 42 items found in the box focus on the 7 Army values - duty, discipline, loyalty, personal courage, selfless service, respect, honor and integrity. Each box contains replicas of the items the Corps of Discovery had with them on their trip (15-star flag, sextant, etc.) and representations of items they found on their journey (prickly pear cactus, prairie dogs, beaver, etc.) Included in the box are related music CDs, books, and VHS videos. The boxes also contain a User Guide and other resources to help enhance and guide the development of interpretive and classroom programs.

The boxes are being assembled and distributed by Development Workshop in Idaho Falls, ID, a nonprofit agency affiliated with the National Institute of the Severely Handicapped (NISH). The items come assembled in a large red cedar trunk. Boxes are priced at $1,763.24, which includes shipping. To place an order, contact Gerry Hodges, Vice President of Industrial Services, Development Workshop, in Idaho Falls, ID, (208)-524-1550, hodg@dwinc.org. Please allow approximately 60 days for delivery. Major credit cards will be accepted.

FIELD CAMP OFFERED BY FORT CLATSOP NATIONAL MEMORIAL

Fort Clatsop National Memorial is recruiting members for its inaugural Field Camp of Instructions, a first-person living history training program. Taught by Living Museums of the West, this program offers a five day course about 18th century military and civilian life. A portion of this course is practical training by immersing participants in turn-of-the 19th century living, giving them an opportunity to experience first hand how life was at that time period. Field Camp of Instructions runs June 25-30, 2004 at Camp Rilea in Warrenton, Oregon. Registration fees start at $325 and includes lodging, food, and basic supplies. The program is underwritten, in part, through generous grants from Meyer Memorial Trust and Lewis and Clark Bicentennial in Oregon. For details and registration information call (503) 861-4422.

Two camp experiences are being offered: 18th Century Military Camp and 18th Century Civilian Camp. Meals are provided, with both modern and period food. Participants receive classroom instruction of the time period, cultural and period dress lessons, and they get to keep dress and accessory items they make during the program. College credit is offered through Lewis and Clark College in Oregon.

Graduates of the Military Camp are eligible to participate in Fort Clatsop's living history program being developed for Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Signature Event activities. All participants are eligible for volunteer opportunities through Fort Clatsop and Destination: The Pacific, the organization producing the Bicentennial Signature Event.

Registration Fees
Early registration (by April 15th): $325
Regular registration (by May 30th): $375
Late registration (until full): $450

The Field Camp of Instructions being offered by Fort Clatsop National Memorial is the first step in recruiting and training first-person interpreters. The Park's focus is on recruiting thirty-three men to take on the persona of members from the Lewis and Clark Expedition in preparation for Bicentennial activities. Since the Expedition was a military venture, the first Field Camp of Instructions offered is about Military Life at the turn of the 17th and 18th centuries. A corresponding Civilian Camp is also being offered.

NEWFOUNDLAND WINS WESTMINSTER TOP DOG

By Ben Walker

NEW YORK (AP) - America's top dog is a big, slobbering, barking dog named Josh. A shiny, black Newfoundland lived up to his advance billing and won best in show at Westminster, cheered on by a crowd that yelped its approval when he was picked Tuesday night. Usually at this show, little dogs win and jump into the champion's silver bowl. This time, the prize went to a dog more likely to drink right out of it. At 155 pounds, Josh tied for the biggest dog ever to win at Westminster. The other one was the only other Newfoundland to win, back in 1984.

And the 4-year-old champion, officially called Darbydale's All Rise Pouchcove, from Flemington, N.J., celebrated by barking his head off. His woofs echoed around Madison Square Garden, drawing laughs from the crowd of almost 15,000.

"That's his signature," co-owner Peggy Helming said.

To win, Josh beat out the other 2,623 entries in America's most prestigious dog show. The two-day competition featured 162 breeds and varieties, and drew dogs from every state except Alaska and Hawaii.

Terriers had won 43 of the previous 96 titles at this event. But Josh not only had the goods to win at Westminster, he also had a winning personality. People called out his name after the victory and any fan who wanted to pet him got a lick, too.

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.