November 2005, Volume 5, Issue 9

LEWIS & CLARK TRAIL NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
CORPS OF DISCOVERY II IN VANCOUVER

OPENING CEREMONIES

8:30 am to 9 am
November 28, 2005

O. O. Howard House South Parking Lot
(850 Anderson Street)
Vancouver National Historic Reserve

Honor Guard and Color Guard: NW Indian Veteran's Association and the Vancouver Barracks 104th Division

Honor Song and Flag Song: Evergreen/Vancouver/Battle Ground Native American Indian Education Students

Remarks and Blessings

The exhibit will be at the O.O. Howard House parking lot on the Vancouver National Historic Reserve from November 28-December 11.

Corps of Discovery II features live, interactive programming every day in the 250-seat Tent of Many Voices, its main performance venue. Cultural demonstrations, music, dance, storytelling, film and speakers bring the many stories of the Expedition and the peoples it interacted with to life. Visitors can also explore a replica keelboat, a Plains tipi, a dugout canoe, and take an audiovisual tour through an exhibit tent. All programs presented by the National Park Service, partner federal agencies, American Indian tribal representatives, and local experts. Special emphasis on family and educational programming; school and group tours arranged in advance. Admission is free.

DISMAL NITCH SAFETY REST AREA

In observance of the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Commemoration, the Washington State Transportation Commission approved a resolution renaming the Megler Safety Rest Area to Dismal Nitch Safety Rest Area.

The facility is located on State Route 401, near the Megler-Astoria Bridge in Pacific County.

"The Commission recognizes the importance of this site and encourages the further development of interpretive information about the historical and cultural significance of this area," said Commission Chair Dan O'Neal. "We're pleased to be involved with efforts to commemorate the 200th Anniversary of the Expedition of the Corps of Discovery in Washington State."

The Commission received letters supporting the name change from the three legislators of the 19th District, the Pacific County Commissioners, and the Pacific County Friends of Lewis & Clark. In addition, participants attending a public open house in September provided positive feedback and support for the renaming.

In a letter signed by Senator Mark Doumit, Rep. Brian Blake and Rep. Dean Takko, they wrote in part, "This November, our county officially celebrates the Bicentennial Commemoration of the Lewis & Clark Expedition's arrival at the Pacific Ocean. Megler Cove is the location of one of the campsites of Lewis & Clark; Clark referred to it in his journal as a 'dismal nitch.' It is one of the three sites added to the Fort Clatsop National Memorial and it is timely and appropriate to make this name change."

The Megler Safety Rest Area is one of the 42 rest area facilities owned and operated by the Washington State Department of Transportation throughout the state. These facilities provide travelers a safe and convenient place to stop and rest before continuing with their journey.

CHALLENGE COST SHARE PROGRAM FOR LEWIS AND CLARK TRAIL

The National Park Service announces the 2006 Challenge Cost Share program for the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. The program will distribute matching funds to non-federal organizations for projects that educate the public about the Lewis and Clark story and preserve the resources of the National Historic Trail, including projects that commemorate the bicentennial of the historic expedition.

"This year we are looking for projects that will provide a lasting legacy of resource protection, education and interpretation on the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail for many years following the bicentennial" said Richard Williams, Chief, Resource Management. "However, we also expect a number of organizations will apply for funds to assist in production of events and activities in 2006, the last year of the bicentennial" Williams said.

Local communities, states, Indian Tribes and non profit organizations are encouraged to apply for the Lewis and Clark Challenge Cost Share funds. Application packets and more information may be obtained at the Internet Web site www.nps.gov/lecl or from Richard Williams, Chief, Resource Management, 402-661-1830, toll free 888-237-3252, or richard_williams@nps.gov.

On-line applications must be submitted by January 20, 2006.

The Challenge Cost Share Program for the National Park Service was first authorized by Congress in 1995. Each year Congress appropriates funds for this program for use on National Scenic and Historic Trails, including the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail.

LEWIS & CLARK CORPS II VISITS

WASHINGTON STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY AWARDS PROGRAM
CALL FOR NOMINATIONS

The Washington State Historical Society announces a call for nominations for awards to be presented at the Society's annual meeting on June 17, 2006. Up to nine awards are presented each year to recognize excellence in advancing the field of history in the state of Washington through writing, teaching, historic projects, understanding cultural diversity and for volunteerism at the Washington State History Museum and the State Capital Museum.

We encourage you to help us honor the work that advances the Society's mission to make the study of history in Washington illuminating and inspiring by nominating candidates for the following awards: David Douglas Award, Governor's Award for Teaching History in Washington State, Peace and Friendship Awards, and the Robert Gray Medal.

For a description of the awards and information on the nomination process, please visit the WSHS web at http://www.washingtonhistory.org/wshs/awards.htm

ARMY GUARD LEWIS AND CLARK YOUTH RENDEZVOUS

The National Guard's 2006 Lewis and Clark Youth Rendezvous essay contest is an opportunity for 10 students from each state and territory to participate in a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Students who will be high school juniors or seniors by August 2006, can earn a free trip to North Dakota by writing a Lewis and Clark focused-essay. Through multiple activities and events, selected students will follow the Lewis and Clark trail, experience American Indian culture of yesterday and discover military history firsthand. The scheduled events will provide a unique educational opportunity for everyone involved. Learn more about planned events, activities and locations by visiting www.lcyouthrendezvous.com

Students will be immersed in the experience by walking in the footsteps of the Lewis and Clark expedition. The hands-on activities and events will take place throughout western North Dakota from August 13-18, 2006. Students will be guided by expert interpreters and military leaders through interactive cultural and historical experiences. The adventure will showcase daily activities of the original Lewis and Clark expedition that will create an unforgettable journey.

Ten students from each state and territory will be selected to participate in the Lewis and Clark Youth Rendezvous. Students may submit essay applications online or request information by mail. For more information or to submit an essay, visit www.lcyouthrendezvous.com. To receive an application by mail, send request to Lewis and Clark Youth Rendezvous, P.O. Box 5511, Bismarck, ND 58506-5511.

WEBSITE OF THE MONTH

By Sharon Hultman, WSHS Digital Projects Manager

LEWIS & CLARK IN THE COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE
Wind, Waves, and American Indians
http://www.crgva.org/LewisClark/journey.html

The Columbia River Gorge Visitor's Association has created a website dedicated to the promotion of tourism along the Lewis & Clark Trail. The site has considerable visual appeal and easy to use navigation, which serve to invite the visitor to experience the beauty and grandeur of the Columbia River Gorge. At first glance, the site appears a little bare-bones, but there is more than readily meets the eye. Peppered throughout the site are text links in green that open new pages or pop-ups with additional information.

The main graphical feature of the site, located in The Journey, is a series of interactive maps. Pick a region - West, Central, or East - to view an enlarged section, then select one of the numbered sites. An interpretive window appears, explaining the significance of that site, and what the traveler will find there today.

Embark on a Self-Guided Expedition via more maps that show the way to historical sites and museums. A more extensive listing of museums is found in the Storytellers section, and help for the intrepid tourist can be found in the Your Guides section. The American Indian Heritage introduces you to the Native American perspective, and leads you to several major cultural centers.

Wind, Waves, and American Indians is a potentially valuable site to anyone interested in exploring the Gorge, whether for its history, or its natural splendor.

NEW LEWIS AND CLARK PICTORIAL BOOK
NOW AVAILABLE

Ocian in view! Oh! the joy:
Lewis & Clark in Washington State

The latest book offering from the Washington State Historical Society is Ocian in View! O! The Joy: Lewis and Clark in Washington State, with illustrations by Roger Cooke and narrative text by Robert C. Carriker (168 pp., 78 color illustration, 4 maps; $27.95 paper ). This volume is an ideal companion for anyone interested in retracing the Washington portion of the Lewis and Clark trail by car or boat—or from the comfort of a favorite easy chair. Cooke's unique illustrations draw you into scene, and Carriker's informative text and judicious use of quotes from the journals of William Clark and other corps members impart both a historian's perspective and a sense of actually being part of the expedition. These illustrations also grace a series of wayside markers erected at points of interest along the Washington portion of the expedition route as part of the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial commemoration.

168 pp., 78 color illustrations, 4 maps, $27.95 on paper.

To order your copy, contact Amy Coggins at 253/798-5902. Shipping and handling are free to members of the Washington State Historical Society who purchase the book directly from WSHS.

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.