March 2004, Volume 4, Issue 3

"TRAIL'S END: LEWIS IN CLARK IN WASHINGTON"

PBS affiliate KBTC of Tacoma Washington has produced a 30-minute documentary highlighting the significance and meaning of the Corps of Discovery in Washington. Not merely a play by play of their journey, the documentary is a summation of what it meant to people along the trail both then and now. The story is largely told through selected local historians, such as farmer Steve Plucker, and businessman George Touchette from the Walla Walla area. The piece also features the Native American perspective with reflections from Native American artist and historian Pat Courtney Gold as well as members of the Nez Perce tribe. Some reflections, led by Washington State History Museum Director Dave Nicandri, highlight the changing face of the trail and how it looked 200 years ago vs. present day. The producers explore portions of the trail in Washington that are well-traveled highways, as well as others that are barely visible and only known to local historians. The documentary largely focuses on "Why." Why was the Lewis and Clark presence in Washington so significant? Why are these historians so passionate about it? Why should this local history be passed on?

Trail's End takes historians "on location" as they reflect on Lewis and Clark and highlight their unique perspectives. The documentary features dramatic visuals of the trail from both water and land and never before seen sketches of Lewis and Clark in Washington. Trail's End premieres on KBTC on Sunday April 25th at 7pm.

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.

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.

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

BAIRD SECURES KEY FUNDING FOR PACIFIC COUNTY IN MAJOR TRANSPORTATION BILL

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Brian Baird used his position on the influential transportation committee to advocate funding for our region in a major transportation bill.

Local projects secured by Rep. Baird for inclusion in the House version include:

Lewis and Clark Scenic Overlook: - $146,000

Provides funding for the Lewis and Clark Discovery Trailhead and Scenic Overlook project at Cape Disappointment State Park, which will expand the size and increase safety at the current overlook location. Serving as a trailhead, this overlook is a historic viewpoint on the Lewis and Clark Trail that provides a vista of the Pacific Ocean, frequented by thousands of visitors every year.

LEWIS AND CLARK NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK DESIGNATION ACT OF 2004

(Introduced in House)
108th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 3819

To redesignate Fort Clatsop National Memorial as the Lewis and Clark National Historical Park, to include in the park sites in the State of Washington as well as the State of Oregon, and for other purposes.

Mr. BAIRD (for himself, Mr. WU, Mr. NETHERCUTT, Mr. BEREUTER, Mr. LARSEN of Washington, Mr. DICKS, Mr. INSLEE, Mr. MCDERMOTT, Mr. SMITH of Washington, Mr. DEFAZIO, Mr. SOUDER, Mr. POMEROY, Ms. HOOLEY of Oregon, Mr. BLUMENAUER, Mr. WALDEN of Oregon, Mr. GOODE, and Ms. DUNN) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Resources

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Lewis and Clark National Historical Park Designation Act of 2004'.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

As used in this Act:

(1) Park- The term `park' means the Lewis and Clark National Historical Park designed in section 3.

(2) Secretary- The term `Secretary' means the Secretary of the Interior.

SEC. 3. LEWIS AND CLARK NATIONAL HISTORICAL PARK.

(a) Designation- In order to preserve for the benefit of the people of the United States the historic, cultural, scenic, and natural resources associated with the arrival of the Lewis and Clark Expedition in the lower Columbia River area, and for the purpose of commemorating the culmination, and the winter encampment, of the Lewis and Clark Expedition in the winter of 1805-1806 following its successful crossing of the North American Continent, there is designated as a unit of the National Park System the Lewis and Clark National Historical Park.

(b) Boundaries- The boundaries of the park are those generally depicted on the map entitled `Lewis and Clark National Historical Park, Boundary Map', numbered 405/80027, and dated December 2003, and which includes--

(1) lands located in Clatsop County, Oregon, which are associated with the winter encampment of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, known as Fort Clatsop and designated as the Fort Clatsop National Memorial by Public Law 85-435, including the site of the salt cairn (specifically, lot number 18, block 1, Cartwright Park Addition of Seaside, Oregon) utilized by that expedition and adjacent portions of the old trail which led overland from the fort to the coast;

(2) lands identified as `Fort Clatsop 2002 Addition Lands' on the map referred to in this subsection; and

(3) lands located along the lower Columbia River in the State of Washington associated with the arrival of the Lewis and Clark Expedition at the Pacific Ocean in 1805, which are identified as `Station Camp', `Clark's Dismal Nitch', and a `Memorial to Thomas Jefferson' on the map referred to in this subsection.

(c) Acquisition of Land-

(1) The Secretary is authorized to acquire land, interests in land, and improvements therein within the boundaries of the park, as identified on the map referred to in subsection (b), by donation, purchase with donated or appropriated funds, exchange, transfer from any Federal agency, or by such other means as the Secretary deems to be in the public interest.

(2) The lands authorized to be acquired under paragraph (1) (other than corporately owned timberlands within the area identified as `Fort Clatsop 2002 Addition Lands' on the map referred to in subsection (b)) may be acquired only with the consent of the owner.

(3) If the owner of corporately owned timberlands within the area identified as `Fort Clatsop 2002 Addition Lands' on the map referred to in subsection (b) agrees to enter into a sale of such lands as a result of actual condemnation proceedings or in lieu of condemnation proceedings, the Secretary shall enter into a memorandum of understanding with the owner regarding the manner in which such lands will be managed after acquisition by the United States.

(d) Map Availability- The map referred to in subsection (b) shall be on file and available for public inspection in the appropriate offices of the National Park Service.

SEC. 4. ADMINISTRATION.

(a) In General- The park shall be administered by the Secretary in accordance with this Act and with laws generally applicable to units of the National Park System, including the Act approved August 25, 1916 (39 Stat. 535; 16 U.S.C. 1 et seq.) and the Act of August 21, 1935 (49 Stat. 666; 16 U.S.C. 461 et seq.).

(b) Management Plan- Within three years after funds are made available for this purpose, the Secretary shall prepare an amendment to the General Management Plan for Fort Clatsop National Memorial guide to the management of the Lewis and Clark National Historical Park.

(c) Cooperative Management- In order to facilitate the presentation of a comprehensive picture of the Lewis and Clark Expedition's experiences in the lower Columbia River area and to promote more efficient administration of the sites associated with those experiences, the Secretary may enter into cooperative management agreements with appropriate officials in the States of Washington and Oregon in accordance with the authority provided under section 3(l) of Public Law 991-383 (112 Stat. 3522; 16 U.S.C. 1a-2).

SEC. 5. REPEAL OF SUPERSEDED LAW.

(a) In General- Public Law 85-435 (72 Stat. 153; 16 U.S.C. 450mm et seq.), regarding the establishment and administration of Fort Clatsop National Memorial, is repealed.

(b) References- Any reference in any law (other than this Act), regulation, document, record, map or other paper of the United States to `Fort Clatsop National Memorial' shall be considered a reference to the `Lewis and Clark National Historical Park'

SEC. 6. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

There is authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this Act.

STATION CAMP PARK SCHEMATIC DRAWINGS NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE

Plans for the approximately nine acre Station Camp riverside park continue to progress. Currently under consideration by Congress as a unit in an expanded Fort Clatsop named "Lewis and Clark National Historic Park," the historical significance of this site stems in part from an entry in the journal of member Sergeant Patrick Gass, who wrote:

We are now at the end of our voyage, which has been completely accomplished according to the intention of the expedition, the object of which was to discover a passage by the way of the Missouri and Columbia rivers to the Pacific Ocean; notwithstanding the difficulties, privations and dangers, which we had to encounter, endure and surmount.

In this place also Captains Lewis and Clark, also conducted the famed vote establishing the site of their winter encampment for 1805-1806, including the participation of York, Clark's slave, and Sacagawea.

To get the latest update on the project and view the schematic drawings, visit the Washington State History Museum website at http://washingtonhistory.org/wshm/lewisandclark/station-camp-park.htm.

NEW PUBLICATION AVAILABLE

The Circle of Tribal Advisors [COTA] has just published a new booklet, WELCOME TO THE LANDS OF MANY NATIONS, A GUIDE TO VISITING TRIBAL HOMELANDS.

To order, contact:

National Council of the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial
Box 11940
St. Louis, MO 63112-0040
1.888.999.1803
bicentennial@lewisandclark200.org

LEWIS AND CLARK SUPERINTENDENT RECEIVES SUPERIOR SERVICE AWARD

(Omaha, NE) --- National Park Service Director Fran Mainella recently named Gerard Baker to receive the Department of Interior Superior Service Award.

Baker is the Superintendent of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail and Corps of Discovery II: 200 Years into the Future. The award recognizes Baker's leadership contributions to the Lewis and Clark NHT which leads the multi-agency Corps II exhibit now traveling across America. Additionally, Baker has been recognized for his efforts to ensure American Indian involvement in the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial now underway.

"Preparing for the commemoration of the Bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark expedition is a monumental task," said Midwest Regional Director Ernie Quintana. "Gerard's constant communication with our partners, multiple federal agencies, state and local governments, American Indian Tribes and congressional representatives has been paramount to the success of our efforts."

"While all of this has required a competent and dedicated staff, it has been Gerard's leadership and vision that put the Corps of Discovery II on tour. This project will continue to tell the story of western exploration and Indian Tribes for years to come," he said.

Baker has been with the federal government for 25 years: three years with the USDA Forest Service and 22 years with the National Park Service. He is a full blood (Mandan-Hidatsa) and member of the Three Affiliated Tribes of the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation.

"It is always an honor to receive such an award," Baker said. "I was truly surprised by this, and humbled. I am very proud of working for such a great organization as the National Park Service, and I share credit for this with the staff of the Lewis and Clark Trail."

Gerard Baker announced yesterday that he has decided NOT to transfer to an NPS position in Montana, but will stay on as Superintendent of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail.

LEWIS AND CLARK COMMEMORATIVE STAMP FIRST DAY OF ISSUE CEREMONY Three new Lewis and Clark commemorative stamps will be unveiled on May 14, 2004, at ceremonies in the eleven western Trail states. The Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center at Cape Disappointment State Park will host Washington's ceremony at 9:00 a.m. Then, the first canceled letter will be taken over the Columbia River to Fort Clatsop, which will receive it as part of Oregon's ceremony. Commemorative envelopes from both states will be available at both sites.

LEWIS AND CLARK INTERPRETIVE CENTER DEDICATION AT CAPE DISAPPOINTMENT STATE PARK

Swivel-gun cannon fire accompanied the dedication of the expanded Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center at Cape Disappointment State Park on March 12. Several hundred people crowded into the center-perched 200 feet above the Pacific Ocean-to hear Locke, State Parks Director Rex Derr, WSHS Director David Nicandri, and other officials. Gary Lentz, a well-known living history re-enactor, appeared as Lewis and Clark Expedition member Sgt. Patrick Gass, and fired the swivel gun to commemorate the center's opening. State Parks Chief of Interpretation Steve Wang awarded strings of blue beads to partner groups who helped with the expansion. The Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center expansion includes new exhibits, an award-winning movie about the Expedition, and more gallery and conference space.

WEBSITE OF THE MONTH

By Sharon Hultman, WSHS Webmaster

St. Louis Circuit Court Historical Records Project
Lewis and Clark / Corps of Discovery Case Files, 1809-1839

Once the adventures of the Corps of Discovery had concluded, the members of the expedition returned to normal civilian life, many remaining in the St. Louis area. The St. Louis Circuit Court has case files consisting of 82 court cases in which Meriwether Lewis, William Clark or other members of the expedition are defendants, plaintiffs, or play some other prominent role.

The bulk of the collection - 46 cases - features the business and financial activities of William Clark, in his roles as territorial governor (1813-1820), commander of the territorial militia, Indian agent, candidate for political office, and partner in the St. Louis Missouri Fur Company and the Bank of Missouri. Clark is usually the plaintiff in the actions, attempting to collect money owed to him. Some cases relate to slaves in his ownership.

Nine cases pertain to Meriwether Lewis and the financial difficulties that plagued him. Appointed territorial governor in March of 1807, Lewis died in 1809 traveling from St. Louis to the Washington D.C. to explain his financial activities as governor. In these cases, Lewis or his estate appear as defendant, indicating that he had accrued substantial debt for land purchases and a mining venture.

A number of other members of the Corps are featured in the collection in cases dating from 1808 to 1833, and these cases demonstrate how these men readapted to society, as well as providing insight into the sheer number and frequency of financial transactions taking place on the frontier.

To make quick and easy use of the Lewis and Clark database, select the "database" link in the Finding Aids section of the home page, then select "keyword searchable database" from the resulting page - or you can jump directly to http://www.stlcourtrecords.wustl.edu/search.cfm. The Search page offers several options for searching case files, so select Lewis and Clark/Corps of Discovery to find related records.

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.

NOTE: As of March 30, 2004, the Lewis & Clark Events Database was not online due to a virus attack on the hosting service. We hope to have this problem cleared up within a day or two. Thank you for your patience!

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.