|
National
Signature Events updated July 23, 2003
|
|
American communities, from Charlottesville, VA, to Astoria, OR, have been selected by the National Council of the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial as sites for national heritage signature events during the bicentennial commemoration of the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 2003-2006. Each community was chosen for its place in the expedition’s chronology, its historical relevance, cultural diversity, tribal involvement, geographic location, and sponsoring organizations’ capacity. |
 |
|
The
Falls of the Ohio 13 day Commemoration and Signature Event will
showcase the role the Falls area and its residents played in the
success of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. It will open on October
14 with the reenactment of Lewis’ arrival and meeting with
William Clark in Louisville, and end with the Corps of Discovery’s
departure from Clarksville on October 26. Between those dates, visitors
can see and participate in extensive American Indian and African
American programs, educational activities, lectures, the Corps of
Discovery II and Tent of Many Voices, the world premier of “Spirit:
the Seventh Fire”, Discovery Expedition of St. Charles and
Corps of Engineers encampments and programs, period artisan demonstrations
and exhibits, the Expo Tent, special programs at area partner institutions,
arts performances and children’s activities. Highlights include
the unveiling of the heroic bronze statue of York, Shawnee Village,
Taste of Lewis & Clark/Wild Beast Feast and the Falls of the
Ohio Period Ball.
The Three Flags Events commemorate the transfer of Upper Louisiana from Spain to France to the United States in its capital city of St. Louis 200 years ago. Heads of State, the fourteen governors of the Louisiana Territory states, and the Chief of the Osage Nation are invited to participate in the March 14th ceremony on the Gateway Arch grounds. Author Dayton Duncan emcees the program, opening with a reenactment of Meriwether Lewis and members of the Discovery Expedition crossing the Mississippi from Illinois to the ceremony site, and performances by the French Air Force Band and the U.S. Army Band's Old Guard in period dress. Visit the "Creole Corridor" on both sides of the Mississippi River, the Art of the Osage exhibition at the St. Louis Art Museum, the National Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Exhibition at the Missouri History Museum and the Fur Trade exhibit at the Mercantile Library. A Bicentennial Ball and a scholarly symposium will explore the Purchase's legacies.
The Illinois Lewis & Clark Festival will take place from May 13-16, 2004 at sites near the point of the departure of the Expedition. The “Opening Ceremonies-Eve of Discovery,” to be held on May 13 at the Gateway International Raceway in Madison, IL, will feature the U.S. Army’s The Old Guard, musical acts and special invited guests including Governor Blagojevich of Illinois and President Bush. On the “ Expedition Departure Day,” May 14, at the Lewis & Clark State Historic Site in Hartford, IL there will be a reenactment of the Expedition’s departure, heritage crafts demonstrations, scientific presentations on the flowers/fauna of the Expedition, and a Pierre Cruzette Fiddle Contest. On Saturday and Sunday, May 15 and 16, “Lewis & Clark Historical Days” will offer powwows, a symposium on Native American issues, and reenactments (with expert interpretations), art exhibits, scholarly historic presentations on the Expedition, and exhibits at several sites in the Alton IL area. Other weekend activities are foot, canoe, and bicycle races, Chautauqua events, a sunrise church service and sealing of a time capsule.
May
14, 2004 marks the start of the 9-day national commemoration in
St. Charles and the city’s 25th Annual Lewis & Clark Heritage
Days Festival.
July
4, 1804, was the first Independence Day observance west of the Mississippi.
Lewis & Clark’s celebration consisted of two blasts from
the keelboat’s cannon near present-day Atchison, Kansas. We
plan to bump it up a notch in 2004.
The
“First Tribal Council” Signature Event
will take place July 31 through August 3, 2004 at multiple venues.
Planned daytime activities, include living history demonstrations,
Native American cultural areas and interactive educational workshops
designed for all ages and interests will be held at Fort Atkinson
State Historical Park near Fort Calhoun. This location is the site
of the historic meeting. Evening activities, including a professionally
written dramatic interpretation of the first council between the
Expedition and Native Americans, will take place in Omaha. Various
trail communities are planning related activities. Nebraska’s
Bicentennial Commission, in conjunction with other partners, has
commissioned renowned composer, Philip Glass, to write a Lewis &
Clark Piano Concerto. This musical score will be an integral part
of the Signature Event’s evening performances. The entire
concerto, featuring the Omaha Symphony, will premier in September
2004 at the Lied Center for Performing Arts in Lincoln, Nebraska.
This
event will highlight the cordial welcome that the Lewis &
Clark Expedition received from the earthlodge peoples of the Upper
Missouri. It will renew the bonds of friendship and cooperation
forged by the Corps of Discovery during the winter of 1804-05.
Visitors will taste what they tasted, see what they saw, and hear
what they heard. Lewis & Clark knew when they arrived in what
is now North Dakota that they would find, and found, information
and hospitality from the Missouri River Indians. “Circle
of Cultures” will showcase the thriving centuries-old trading
“Mecca of the Northern Plains. Signature
Event Contact:
Plan
to “EXPLORE! The Big Sky” as the journals
of Lewis & Clark unfold during this 34-day event. “EXPLORE!
The Big Sky” commemorates the fateful decision at
the Marias River confluence, commemorates the portage end in Great
Falls, and honors the native cultures of the Plains Indian tribes.
Families and Lewis & Clark aficionados alike will enjoy the
activities offered each day in rural and metropolitan communities.
The Lewis & Clark Expedition entered the Niimiipuu (The Nez Perce) aboriginal homelands in September of 1805, and with this first chance encounter they were met with caution and suspicion. During this time, most of the able-bodied men were on a war raid in the south. An elderly woman named, “Weetxuuwiis,” encouraged and advised the camp not to harm them because of her previous experience living among the Sooyaapoos. Would the course of history have changed if the able-bodied men had been present in the camp when the expedition arrived? Regardless, the Niimiipuu are described as friendly, hospitable, and gracious hosts toward the expedition, and it still reflects the Niimiipuu today. On their return trip eastward, the Lewis & Clark expedition renewed their relationship with the Niimiipuu in June of 1806. On June 1417, 2006, the Niimiipuu will commemorate that relationship by hosting a National Signature Event, entitled, “Among the Niimiipuu.” The world is invited to experience a unique commemoration of events that reflect the diversity of cultures of people for those who attend.
The Clark on the Yellowstone Signature Event, July 22-25, 2006 enables modern day explorers to rediscover Captain William Clark’s travels along the Yellowstone River. This event commemorates the 200th anniversary of Clark inscribing his name on Pompeys Pillar, the only remaining physical evidence of the Lewis & Clark expedition appearing on the trail as it did 200 years ago. Clark, showing his affection for Sacagawea’s young son, whom he called “Pomp”, named this sandstone pillar at the river’s edge in his honor. A National Day of Honor commemorating this event, and recognizing the historic use of the Pillar by American Indians is set for July 25, 2006. A new interpretive center will greet visitors at the recently created Pompeys Pillar National Monument, administered by the Bureau of Land Management. Canoe landings, trail rides, wildlife displays and exhibits at local museums in nearby Billings, Montana will engage people of all ages.
On
August 12, 1806 Lewis & Clark reunited on the Missouri River
near the present-day headquarters of the Mandan, Hidatsa, and
Arikara Nation. The expedition traveled on to the Knife River
Hidatsa and Mandan villages and days later, bid farewell to their
interpreters Sakakawea and Toussaint Charbonneau. Before leaving
the Mandan villages, they persuaded one tribal leader, White Coyote,
to return with them to meet President Thomas Jefferson. On August
20, 1806 the Expedition left what is now North Dakota.
On September 23, 1806 the Lewis & Clark Expedition officially ended when the explorers arrived in St. Louis, Missouri. In commemoration of the bicentennial of this event a consortium of Missouri and Illinois state, county and local groups will recreate the return of Lewis & Clark to St. Louis. A flotilla of watercraft will originate at various historic sites on the Missouri and Mississippi rivers and converge on the riverfront. A series of programs and events will explore the multicultural composition of the expedition. Representatives from all of the Tribal Nations encountered by Lewis and Clark will be invited to participate in this final signature event commemorating the return of Lewis & Clark in 1806.
For
more information about the National Council of the Lewis and Clark
Bicentennial, log on at www.lewisandclark200.org.
|
