The June 4th, 2008 dedication event in Jefferson City was entitled “A Journey for Generations.” The seven photos below show the completed monument and the arrival of President Thomas Jefferson in the Missouri State Capitol.  The outdoor ceremony photo shows the sculptor Sabra Tull Meyer, her husband, and landscape designer Austin Tao and his family in the first row, with Lewis & Clark Singers in the background.

Visitors from the Netherlands, England, Texas, Maryland, and Virginia joined Missourians for the unveiling of the “Corps of Discovery” statues of the sculptor. They were enthusiastic about being the first to see her new artistic creation and also the landscape design of Austin Tao.  The location is on truly historic ground.

The statue of President Thomas Jefferson stands outside the capitol’s south entrance. It is the work of the famed sculptor James Earl Fraser that was installed in 1927. His Lewis and Clark statues stand inside on either side of the grand staircase.
So, eighty years later “the Corps of Discovery” statues are also outdoors, and are a welcome update of the Lewis & Clark Expedition story. We feel fortunate and blessed to have them located so strategically on historic ground.

It was a festive occasion.  The Discovery Expedition of St. Charles, the St. Charles Fife and Drum Corps, the Lewis & Clark Singers and the keynote speech by Thomas Jefferson (Patrick Lee) in the Capitol Rotunda added much to the event. The Native American “One with the Rivers” outdoor ceremony was also impressive.

Come see it! We have alerted the New York Times Travel section to be sure to take note of this new addition on the historic Lewis & Clark Trail. World travel guru Arthur Frommer (who in his youth was a Jefferson City resident) was also contacted and enjoyed seeing the photo of the statues with the familiar Capitol dome in the background.  Our first tour group arrival at the trailhead was a group of school teachers from Savannah, Georgia on a “Westward Expansion” tour. They are shown at the monument on July 10, 2008.

The last page of the program ended with this quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson:
“Do not go where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and
Leave a trail.” That is exactlty what happened to us on our journey of rediscovery for the Lewis & Clark bicentennial.

See Jefferson City newspaper accounts of the day at: http://www.newstribune.com/articles/2008/06/06/news_local/209local11lc1.txt

http://www.newstribune.com/articles/2008/06/06/news_local/209local11lc2.txt

See Columbia, MO newspaper account including at dusk photo at: http://www.columbiatribune.com/2008/Jun/20080605News007.asp

See the MissouriNet account including a YouTube video at: http://www.missourinet.com/gestalt/go.cfm?objectid=596E5953-FEF6-91EF-A9EAC86F2FBF0F66