Lewis and Clark Forums

Young students of Lewis & Clark propose a State Dog for Missouri

2010-01-13T00:22:26-06:00

Two young fourth grade students had an original idea. Some states have state dogs, but Missouri does not have an official state dog. In Missouri, fourth graders study Missouri history and the importance of the Lewis & Clark Expedition to Missouri and the nation. These two girls focus became a state dog for Missouri based on their studies of the expedition.

So, they wrote a letter to their state representative Jason Brown of Platte City. Platte City is a little east of Leavenworth, Kansas and northwest of Kansas City. These cities were each stops on the Heart of America “A Journey Fourth” commemoration of the Lewis & Clark Bicentennial in July 2004 on the Missouri River highway of Lewis & Clark.

It turns out that the bicentennial fever of 2004-2006 resulted in four new statue groups in the State of Missouri that included “Seaman,” the Newfoundland dog who accompanied Lewis & Clark and the Corps of Discovery.

One by Harry Weber is on the Mississippi River banks just below the Eads Bridge in St.Louis and it was dedicated in September 2006. High water there sometime covers Meriwether Lewis, William Clark and “Seaman.” The one in St. Charles is on a little higher ground and again includes Lewis, Clark, and the dog. It is by Pat Kennedy and it was dedicated in 2003. Kansas City’s Case Park has a fine “Corps of Discovery” statue by Eugene Daub that towers above the Missouri River and also visitors to the park.

The last Missouri tribute to “Seaman” was dedicated on the Missouri State Capitol grounds in June, 2008 and is a very fine statue group that includes a user friendly dog statue that children and adults enjoy climbing on the dog’s back for photo opportunities. We think it is the best Lewis & Clark statue group in the state of Missouri or perhaps on the entire Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail.

The Eugene Daub “Corps of Discovery” statue was dedicated in Kansas City in April 2000. National Lewis & Clark bicentennial leaders were in attendance including Stephen E. Ambrose, Dayton Duncan and Tex Hall. It was Missouri’s first bicentennial tribute to the Corps of Discovery.

A smaller version of the “Corps of Discovery” by Eugene Daub that was dedicated in Kansas City can also be seen in the DNR Lewis and Clark Building in Jefferson City. There a one-third scale model is in the first floor atrium and is an excellent place to view another “Seaman” and York on the back side of this 360 degree interpretation by sculptor Daub. On the front you can see Lewis & Clark and perhaps one of the finest image of Sacagawea on the entire Lewis & Clark Historic Trail. See photos below.

Representative Brown filed a bill #1271 in December 2009 proposing that the Newfoundland be named the state dog in honor of “Seaman.” So some time before the current legislative session ends in mid-May 2010, Missouri may just have a new state dog.
However, Missouri is blessed with several famous dogs and breeds like the coonhounds favored by hunters that might make this proposal a real “dog fight.”

Tonight television station KOMU (http://www.komu.com) had a very nice story that included thoughts by sculptor Sabra Tull Meyer, and we hope Lewis & Clark faithful across this great land will perhaps look to Missouri to see how this little drama plays out. Huzzah!See the KOMU link at:http://www.komu.com/satellite/SatelliteRender/KOMU.com/ba8a4513-c0a8-2f11-0063-9bd94c70b769/250910bc-80ce-0971-00ad-a113c2a07a63

News of the bill filing has also reached as far away as St. Johns, Newfoundland and a CBC St. Johns morning program podcast that I listened to today from a December 2009 interview with the congressman.

And So it Goes! Attached photos included : 1 winter scene in Jefferson City Lewis and ClarkTrailhead; 2 Harry Weber sculpture “Captains’ Return” near the St. Louis Gateway Arch on the Mississippi River. Clark is waving his hat; 3 Eugene Daub sculpture in Jefferson City; 4 Eugene Daub statue image of Sacagawea in DNR Lewis & Clark building atrium in Jefferson City;5 Discovery Expedition of St. Charles musters at “Captains’ Return” in St. Louis;6. Well known portrayer of York, Hussan Davis with Newfoundland dog at Clarksville, KY at bicentennial “The Journey Begins” event.

Someone has to be first!!

2008-07-14T16:56:55-06:00

My husband and I are members of the Mouth of the Platte Study group in Council Bluffs, IA. We have attended about 5 years. We are parents of four grown children, 10 grandchildren, and 9 greatgrandchildren. The study of Lewis and Clark seems to have taken over a large part of our lives.
Besides making clothes for Biddle Bear, I am a quilt maker. I have done 4 Lewis and Clark full size quilts. Two of these were done in redwork embroidery, and two in patchwork and applique.
I have a degree in secondary education, history major and library science, native american minors. so I teach when I can. I teach and prepare materials for an adult class at our church.
This will be my 12th year doing this.
When I student taught in college, one of the classes was a Montana history class, during which the students for their final had to write out the travels of Lewis and Clark in chronological order. The results were not good. Did you know that the Corps of Discovery went up the Mississippi River, went around the Cape of Good Hope, and through the Panama Canal?
They ended up on the coast, but never made it back. So either I was not a good teacher, or they were trying to get my goat. But I had a good laugh.
Finding the obscure points of the Corps of Discovery seems to have become my goal. I have given talks to the group about the waterfalls, before Lewis and Clark, and other weird points.
Let’s hear from the rest of you.
Betty Smallen, moderator
srbabc at cox dot net

Jefferson City Lewis & Clark Plaza

2008-03-29T23:16:44-06:00

Please note that a new tribute to President Thomas Jefferson’s Corps of Discovery will be dedicated on Wednesday, June 4, 2008. Its official name will be the Lewis & Clark Trailhead Plaza. See photo summary( 5 photos) at end of second article.

Directions:
GPS (N38 34.708 W92 10.281)
Missouri State Capitol Grounds, Jefferson City, Missouri.
Cross Jefferson Street on East Capitol Avenue to view up close the new Lewis & Clark Trailhead Plaza. Heroic size bronze figures in a native stone and waterfall setting look out over the plaza to the Jefferson Landing and the Missouri River. Conceived by mid-Missouri sculptor Sabra Tull Meyer and funded by private commissions and contributions that also included Missouri school children’s donations—it remembers the heroes of the Corps of Discovery, and the part Missourians played in the Lewis & Clark bicentennial across America. Public transportation enhancement funds and city matching funds were used for the trailhead plaza setting.

Note in particular Lewis’s dog Seaman and the lesser known members of Lewis & Clark’s team who traveled with them in their Captain’s Mess . Also note the waterfalls and trailhead plaza design of internationally renowned landscape architect Austin Tao Associates of St. Louis. The plaza functions as a cyclists and hikers trailhead to eventually connect to the Katy Trail State Park Trail via a pedestrian bridge across the Missouri River. Check it out at dusk as the plaza and monument are bathed in light after dark .The plaza will be dedicated on June 4, 2008, exactly two hundred and four years after Lewis & Clark first traveled past the future site of Jefferson City.

My favorite is the statue of George Drouillard. I believe this is the first such work in bronze to capture his likeness, in the country. He was the nephew of the founder of Cape Girardeau, Missouri—Louis Lorimier. He was the valuable civilian guide and interpreter for the expedition with Shawnee and French Canadian bloodlines and hunting skills that also proved to be of great value.

York, William Clark’s body servant– a slave—looks out on the Missouri River with rifle in hand. He is seated and relaxed. Today’s viewer can’t deduce from his figure in bronze that he was a slave. It is true that on the journey he proved his great value and had unusual freedoms, only to return to being William Clark’s slave when they returned to St Louis in September 1806.

See the sculptor’s web page : http://www.sabratullmeyer.com for sculpture details. If you want to read more about George Drouillard, I recommend Sign Talker by James Alexander Thom or Larry E. Morris’s book The Fate of the Corps: what became of the Lewis and Clark explorers after the expedition.

Lewis and Clark Trail Images and brief Travelog for different areas

2008-03-06T12:20:32-06:00

Hi,

Just a quick note to invite anyone interested in Lewis and Clark Trail images to my website:
http://lewisandclarkpictures.com

Trail coverage is from Mandan, North Dakota to Seaside, Oregon and most points in between.

Have fun!

Wayne Mumford
http://lewisandclarkpictures.com
http://waynemumford.com

Some Clark family sites

2008-09-18T09:17:33-06:00

We’re deep into work on our novel-in-progress right now, and writing a lot of scenes that involve the Clark family. There are still a lot of great Clark sites that you can visit to get a sense of this amazing family who played such a critical role in the winning of the west. Best of all, they’re located in and around Louisville, Kentucky, a really fun city. Here are a few favorites that will be in the new book:

The Falls of the Ohio was once on the great landmarks of the Ohio River. This series of rough rapids formed a natural defense that caused George Rogers Clark to choose the area when he began his campaign in the West during the Revolutionary War. A few years later, Clark founded the town of Louisville and it became the Clark family homebase.

Today,the Falls of the Ohio State Park is a great place to visit! Located in Clarksville, Indiana, just across the river from Louisville, you can see amazing exposed fossil beds and visit a recreation of the cabin of George Rogers Clark.

Mulberry Hill was the site of the Clark family homestead, and remained in the family from 1784 until after the Civil War. While the original house was torn down to make way for an army traing camp, during World War I, the grounds later became George Rogers Clark park. The graves of parents Ann and John Clark are here along with several other family members. Because they raised a family of 10, I like to think that Ann and John would have loved the idea of a playground on their old farm.

Lots of good details about Mulberry Hill can be found in this booklet prepared for the Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation (PDF format).

A couple hours drive from Louisville will take you to Vincennes, Indiana, site of George Rogers Clark’s capture of Fort Sackville, one of the great feats of the American Revolution. You can also visit Grouseland here, the home of William Henry Harrison, a major character in the new book.

Lewis and Clark Monolog: “A Day in the Life of Silas Goodrich”

2008-05-22T19:22:36-06:00

I appreciate your interest in my Lewis and Clark monolog “A Day in the Life of Silas Goodrich.” I have made the presentation to schools, libraries, campfire girls, scouts, retirement centers, churches, dinner meetings, business and civic groups. Reviews and the web address of a Preview Video are enclosed. (When I perform for children and young adults I do not make reference to moonshine.)

In 2004 I traveled, as a reenactor, with the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Expedition and played the role of Private Silas Goodrich, Expert Fisherman. During the journey on the Missouri River, I kept a dairy and use it to create an interactive, one-hour monolog, providing little known facts about this Great American Adventure.

Dressed in trail worn army life broadcloth trousers, linen shirt, a haversack typical of the times and surrounded by authentic props, I take the audience back with me to 1804. I relive a day where Silas must survive the dangers himself while he catches enough fish to feed the crew of forty five hungry men. 10 minute Preview Video with monolog ... http://www.vimeo.com/927403

Thank you for reviewing the information. If you would like to schedule an event please allow a two week lead time.

Sincerely,
Rolland

Rolland Love
Overland Park, Kansas 66202
913-831-1909
rtl at kc dot rr dot com
http://ozarkstories.com

Reviews
Lewis and Clark Monolog
“A Day in the Life of Silas Goodrich”

Rolland, I enjoyed your excellent Lewis and Clark presentation at Shawnee Library. I will be in touch with you later regarding the possibility of a program utilizing your Ozark stories as well. Lynn C. Wild, Senior Services Librarian - Johnson County Library Shawnee Mission, KS

Awesome Event! Your connection and command of the audience. Your pace, descriptions, humor, background information were wonderful. John Krzysztow, Toastmasters International

Your presentation as Silas Goodrich, fisherman of the expedition was the highlight of the program Tuesday night at Lewis and Clark Historic Park at Kaw Point. It was a thrill to hear something new, to me and I thought I had heard and studied pretty much everything about Lewis and Clark. Dan C.D. Sturdevant, Chair Lewis & Clark Trail Heritage Foundation

In addition to the Lewis and Clark monologue, Love conducts workshops to teach children how to write fiction and tell stories. He also does presentations about fly-tying, fishing and outdoors skills he used on the 2004 expedition. Those skills were honed while growing up in the Ozark Mountains where he helped his uncle run a fishing camp. Sally Huggins, Editor, Small Business Monthly

Re-enactor Makes Lewis and Clark Experience Real: By Jennifer Bhargava -The Kansas City Star
“Rolland tells you things you don’t learn elsewhere about Lewis and Clark,” said Paula Simons, activity director at Aberdeen Village Retirement Center, Olathe, Kansas. Simons hopes to bring Love back for a different kind of lesson: writing. She thinks the actor and author would help make her residents enthusiastic about writing their life stories.
“He (Love) has a wonderful sense of humor and a twinkle in his eye,” Simons said. “Listening to him go into such detail helps get you into the spirit as well. He is a very intelligent man who gets down to the level of every person and connects with them.”

Rolland, thank you for a wonderful program. Amy L. Spiker , Activity, SSD, Medicalodges Holton, Kansas.

What a great program. Thank you for sharing your experiences. Ah, history! What really did happen? Mason Ormsby, President - Shawnee Mission Rotary Club

Thank you for your Excellent presentation to our Lions Club. It was my pleasure to meet you in person. Out club members were full of praise for such an informative and entertaining performance. I could see that you held everyone’s interest with intensity. Art Meganck, Lion’s Club.

You did a great job presenting Lewis and Clark and thank you for coming to CLV. Denise Hahn, ADC Wellness Coordinator - Cedar Lake Village, Olathe, Kansas.

“Our resident’s really enjoyed the history and monolog, very educational, a unique type of “entertainment” much different from the typical event we normally have.” Katie Tacy, Engage Life Director - Hearthstone West, Topeka, KS

Thank you for an interesting program. I have heard only good comments. Elmer Hendrick, Program Chairman - Shawnee United Methodist Men

Rolland, thanks for making an Excellent Lewis and Clark presentation. Houston Alexander, Coordinator – Shepard’s Center of Shawnee

You are a Great storyteller and a Gifted writer. Judith Jones, Award Wining Author, Fairway, Kansas

BRINGING FRONTIER EXPEDITION TO LIFE
— BY SALLY HUGGINS

To step back in time and experience the Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1804, you need only listen to Silas Goodrich, expert fisherman from the expedition, talk about having to catch fish to feed the men who had found little to eat over the past three days. Goodrich comes to life through Rolland Love, a professional storyteller and re-enactment specialist.
After a youth growing up on a farm in south central Missouri and a professional career
that involved various entrepreneurial activities, Love became interested in historical reenactment
when he moved to Mission. He helped the Friends of Historic Kaw Point Park Inc., get ready for a stop of the
Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Expedition and ended up joining the trip.

JOURNAL IS BASIS
A journal he kept during the 2004 expedition forms the basis for Love’s hour-long presentations. Dressed in broadcloth trousers, linen shirt and a haversack typical of the early 1800s, Love steps into character to draw his audience back in time. His audiences include school groups, library patrons, senior groups and church
gatherings.
Love will travel just about anywhere to tell his stories. The cost of mileage is added to his fee.
He has woven his tales both for outdoor camps and indoor gatherings. In addition to the Lewis and Clark monologue, Love conducts workshops to teach children how to write fiction and tell stories, also senior citizens how to write their Life History. The writing classes are based on his experience as an award winning author, having published three novels—The Blue Hole, River’s Edge, Toe Tags and TNT—as well as award-wining short stories. Reviewers have compared Love’s style to that of Mark Twain. In his writing classes, he has the participants create their own parchment journals similar to those used during the Lewis and Clark expedition.

OUTDOOR SKILLS
And for something a little bit different, Love also does presentations about fly-tying, fishing and outdoor skills that he used on the 2004 expedition. Those skills were honed while growing up in the Ozark Mountains where he helped his uncle run a fishing camp. Love became a fishing guide at age 12 and used johnboats (wooden flatbottomed boats designed for fishing) that he and his uncle built by hand.
It was this love for the outdoors and taking people on special journeys that led him to share his experiences with others through his writing and storytelling.

Sally Huggins is the managing editor of Kansas City - Small Business Monthly magazine.
Ozark Stories • Rolland Love • (913) 831-1909 • rtl at kc dot rr dot com • http://www.ozarkstories.com

Lewis and Clark Mural Bridge of the Gods

2009-08-14T08:25:46-06:00

On the Oregon side of the Columbia River Bridge of the Gods in Cascade Locks, there is a Lewis and Clark commemorative painting. The entire pier is covered with scenes from the Corps of Discovery. The work was done by Larry Kangas and was completed in 2002. While the painting is still worth seeing, there are definite signs of deterioration. Even with this, it is a sight worth stopping to see if you are traveling through the Columbia River Gorge. These photos were taken by my husband in 2009.

World Travel Guru Arthur Frommer Visits Lewis & Clark Trailhead Plaza

2009-08-10T23:45:37-06:00

In July 2009 we were proud to show off the new Lewis & Clark Trailhead Plaza and the heroic bronze sculpture group “Corps of Discovery” to world renowned travel advisor Arthur Frommer and his wife Roberta from New York City on their visit to Missouri’s capital city.

Frommer grew up in Jefferson City and for his 80th birthday, his wife surprised him with a secret birthday trip—- whose destination wasn’t disclosed to him until they were in the taxi headed to their airport in New York—- for this trip via air to St. Louis and then AMTRAK’s “Missouri River Runner” to Jefferson City.

Their visit was chronicled on the front page of the Jefferson City News Tribune. See:
http://www.newstribune.com/articles/2009/07/17/news_local/167local11travel.txt

For the occasion Sabra Tull Meyer, the Columbia, Missouri sculptor was on hand for a special tour of her vision in bronze. The statue group is composed of Captain Meriwether Lewis, Captain William Clark, York the manservant of Clark’s, and George Drouillard—the civilian guide/interpreter. Lewis’ Newfoundland retriever named Seaman is also a part of this “Captain’s Mess.” Together they passed by today’s Jefferson City on June 4, 1804 and returned on September 19, 1806 on their river highway—the Missouri River.

A good front page picture and caption are worth a thousand words! Arthur also had nice things to say about the sculptor Sabra Tull Meyer, her sculpture and his visit to Jefferson City on the Frommer Travel Show July 19,2009 podcast from NYC’s WOR radio station.

spots along the way

2009-07-28T06:46:57-06:00

We stayed in cabins on our way west. Here are some pictures from some of these stops.

Fort Clatsop

2009-07-28T06:43:40-06:00

We also went to Fort Clatsop. Here are some of those pictures.
Biddle and I both thought the new fort seemed smaller. Having been in the former one, this one felt new, strange.