October 2005, Volume 5, Issue 8
LYLE POSTMARK COMMEMORATES LEWIS & CLARK ENCAMPMENT
The Lyle Post Office will issue a special commemorative postmark on Saturday, October 29, honoring the Lewis and Clark encampment at the mouth of the Klickitat River at Lyle 200 years ago to the day. Lyle postmaster Steve Chambers will join the representatives of the Lyle Community Council which is sponsoring the event. The community celebration coincides with the Lyle Fire District Chili Cook-off and starts with a parade beginning at the Lyle Hotel which is celebrating its 100 year anniversary. The Lewis and Clark Station will operate under the awning on the sidewalk in front of the Lyle Hotel.
The unique postmark is free and will be available at The Lewis and Clark Station, a temporary post office, set up at the beginning of the parade route. From 9:00AM to 12 noon, the postmaster will apply the postmark to any item bearing first-class postage. To order the postmark by mail, write to: Lewis and Clark Station, U.S. Postal Service, 308 Washington St., Lyle, WA 98635-9998. Enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope for return. Mail order requests must be postmarked no later than November 29, 2005.
On the day of the event, stamps picturing the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial will be available, along with postcards and envelopes. Pictorial postmarks are offered by the Postal Service to commemorate local community events. They are unavailable at regular retail counters and therefore of special interest to collectors. The Lewis and Clark journals describe the encampment at the mouth of the Klickitat (Caterack) River at Lyle on October 29, 1805, exactly 200 years ago. All members of the community and the surrounding area are invited to attend.
LEWIS & CLARK RE-ENACTORS IN WASHINGTON
The Corps of Discovery re-enactors will be coming through Southwest Washington this month commemorating the 200th anniversary of the Lewis & Clark Expedition passing through this region on their outward-bound journey to the Pacific Ocean.
The re-enactors are composed of volunteers from all over the U.S. and their headquarters is in St. Charles Missouri. The group is composed of people from a variety of backgrounds, including teachers, fire fighters, police officers, attorneys, students, retirees, and veterans of the U.S. military.
Several of the re-enactors are direct descendants of the original party, including Peyton "Bud" Clark of Dearborn, Michigan and Charles Clark of St. Louis, Missouri who are direct descendants of William Clark. Bob Anderson of Maryville, Ohio and his grandson Josh Loftis are direct descendants of George Shannon, who was the youngest member of the original expedition.
In this area, the re-enactors are scheduled to arrive at the following locations on their outward-bound journey:
October 31 -- Beacon Rock Sate Park (WA)
November 1 -- Rooster Rock State Park (OR)
November 2 -- Captain William Clark Park (Washougal, WA)
November 3 -- Ridgefield (WA)
November 4 -- Cathlapotle (Ridgefield Area)
November 5 -- County Line Park (Cowlitz & Wahkiakum Counties - WA)
November 6 -- Pillar Rock (Vista Park - WA)
November 7-26 -- Chinook City Park (WA) and Fort Clatsop (OR)
Depending on weather and other conditions, this schedule may be subject to change. Please review the following website for any revised schedules: http://www.lewisandclark.net, which is the official site of the Discovery Expedition of St. Charles. Also, for more information about Lewis & Clark activities and events along the trail, please refer to: http://lewisandclark200.org, which is sponsored by the National Council of the Lewis && Clark Bicentennial. And, for more information about what is happening in the State of Washington, contact the Washington State Historical Society's website at: http://washingtonhistory.org.
The re-enactors encourage students and local citizens to visit them at each of their encampments. They are a traveling "living history" exhibit, using period methods for fire starting, cooking, and river travel in dugout canoes. Much like the original party, the re-enactors are doing their best to live off the land and welcome gifts from local inhabitants. For example, in Washougal at Captain Clark Park, local bicentennial organizers will provide them with seasoned fire wood, buffalo meat and a monetary donation to pay for gas for their support team (which has become an escalating expense). It is important to know that the re-enactors are volunteers and their journey is funded by a partial National Park Service Grant and from personal resources and other donations.
THE NICKEL STOPS HERE
The dramatic launch for the recent "Ocean in View" Nickel, the fourth coin in the Westward Journey Nickel Series TM that debuted August 5th at Cape Disappointment, WA has an ironic twist! Not only can you step where Lewis & Clark stepped in Washington and Oregon, but we find the inspiration for the nickel image through the lens of Andrew E. Cier. The "Ocian In View! O! The Joy!" image is attributed to Andrew E. Cier, an Oregon photographer, who lives at the end of the Lewis & Clark Trail very near Fort Clatsop in Astoria, Oregon where the famed Corps of Discovery wintered over 1805-1806. His photograph was used by independent artist Joe Fitzgerald as the basis for the fourth design of the United States Mint's Westward Journey Nickel Series. To view the original photo, visit the photographer's website.
Jubilant upon reaching what Clark thought was the Pacific Ocean; his November 7th 1805 journal entry read "Ocean in View O! Joy!" Their long journey West culminated with scenes such as this image of Cier's reflecting all the drama of the majestic ocean set against a rugged coastline and an often-stormy sky. The Corps of Discovery spent 119 days in Oregon near the Mouth of the Columbia River from December 7th, 1805 through March 23rd, 1806.
The United States Mint launched the "Ocean In View" nickel, the only nickel to have its debut on the West coast, August 5, 2005 at Cape Disappointment, WA to an enthusiastic crowd of over 950 people. At this time no one was aware that the photographer whose photographic work appears on the nickel lived and worked just across the Columbia River. It has proved to be an amazing discovery!
Andrew E. Cier is quite familiar with the coastline, having photographed the Oregon and Washington coasts for over 25 years, submitting many of his Lewis & Clark related images to the Fort Clatsop National Memorial Park, soon to be the Lewis & Clark National Park. His professional images have been published in various books and postcards, he worked with Fort Clatsop creating "Fort Clatsop: The Story Behind the Scenery" in the mid-1980's and currently sold in the bookstore, and his images have been purchased by Fort Clatsop and Destination: The Pacific over the years. He has been a strong supporter of creating an accurate picture of the legendary Lewis & Clark story as evidenced by his attention to detail and mood.
Time Upon Time produces his images on custom cards, journals and prints featuring the Oregon Coast and historic architecture. Cier's work is currently included in a special exhibition of Lewis & Clark art at the Salem Oregon state capitol. His photos are part of the Bicentennial Edition of Destination: The Pacific, a guidebook to the Lewis & Clark sites at the Mouth of the Columbia River. Cier continues to "winter over" in the small town of Astoria, Oregon where the majestic Columbia River meets the ever-changing Pacific Ocean. To order or view other Lewis & Clark related images or enjoy a sampling of Cier's diverse work please see www.andrewecier.com. For Nickel image-related questions: art@andrewecier.com
FOR THOSE PASSIONATE ABOUT BOOKS AND LEWIS & CLARK
There are several unique and wonderful events for those who are passionate about books and about Lewis & Clark that will take place during the Lewis and Clark Signature Event. There will be events taking place during the Destination the Pacific, November 7-15 that take advantage of "off hours" in the official schedule, and bring you face-to-face with your favorite authors—those wonderful folks who make our history vibrant and alive and our imaginations soar. Specifically, there will be a week-long series of morning "Book Breakfasts" with regional and Lewis & Clark authors where you can meet the authors and purchase signed or personalized copies of their books. In addition, you have several opportunities to see Lewis & Clark authors speak at both "Ocian in View" (where you may also purchase books) and "The Tent of Many Voices " programs.
Please take a moment to review the Book Breakfast flyer as the "Speakers Authors," flyer which describes author lectures that are part of the Ocian In View programs or The Tent of Many Voices programs.
For information on these programs, check www.destinationthepacific.com or call Carolyn Glenn 360-642-2805.
WEBSITE OF THE MONTH
By Sharon Hultman, WSHS Digital Projects Manager
Wisdom of the Elders
http://www.lewisandclarkgnet.org/index/
There is much to be learned from this website, which houses programming for Wisdom of the Elders, a non-profit organization that records and preserves oral history and cultural arts for "over 150 exemplary indigenous elders, storytellers, artists, and song carriers since 1992." These oral history programs are being made nationally available on public radio stations NPS and AIROS (American Indian Radio on Satellite) in one-hour segments.
The elders' wisdom is dispensed on topics both practical and spiritual. Series One programs include fascinating and far-reaching subjects such as The Sacred Earth, Cry of the Earth/Prophecy, and The Horse and The Harvest. Within each program several Native American themes are featured—plants, music, history, and stories. Pulitzer Prize winning author, N. Scott Momaday lends his voice to the Sacred Earth program, and Washington's own Lillian Pitt discusses her cultural heritage as a Wasco.
Series Two programs take a slightly different tack, with each program featuring different tribes of the Plains. The sub-themes for each segment are Sacred Landscape, Tribal Rhythms, Contemporary Rhythms, and Turtle Island Storytellers. Sacred Landscape with Judy Bluehorse Skelton deals with the earth's precious resources. Tribal Rhythms by Nico Wind features traditional Native American culture, while Contemporary Rhythms has Milt Lee keeping tempo with modern tribal musicians, from blues to rap. The Turtle Island Storytellers present stories from elders from each of the tribal groups.
Wisdom of the Elders is a national organization, presenting viewpoints from Native American cultures from all corners of the country, but there are some very notable Northwesterners appearing in the Series One programs. In addition to Ms. Pitt, we are treated to Vi Hilbert talking about the Upper Skagit generations who came before her. Several Northwesterners are on the production team as well.
Each of the programs features both audio and transcripts of the show, making this site a highly satisfying stop for anyone with an interest in Native American cultures.
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.