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Lewis & Clark Center
DESCRIPTION: The Lewis & Clark Center is a museum that interprets the Louisiana Purchase expedition through exhibits, literature and educational programs. The programs have been taught to groups ranging in age from preschoolers to Elderhostel participants. The Center is located in historic St. Charles where the Corps of Discovery made final preparations before its trip west.
ADDRESS: 701 Riverside Dr., St. Charles, MO 63301
LOCATION: St. Charles
PHONE NUMBER: 636-947-3199
WEB SITE: www.lewisandclarkcenter.org
GETTING THERE: From downtown, take I-70 west across the Missouri River's Blanchette Bridge. Take the first Fifth Street exit. Turn right at the second stoplight which is Booneslick. Booneslick becomes Riverside Drive. Follow it to 701 Riverside Drive. The Center is on the left.
HOURS: 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. daily.
ADMISSION: $1, adults; 50 cents, children ages 3-17
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Exhibits depict the Corps of Discovery team during their time in St. Charles on their trek west.
- Dioramas with realistic scenery depict significant points on Lewis & Clark's expedition.
- A replica of a Mandan dwelling gives visitors an idea of how the people Lewis & Clark encountered lived.
- Displays include Indian artifacts from the many Indian cultures the team encountered.
- A replica of Lewis & Clark's camp shows what life was like on the expedition.
- Displays show the types of flora and fauna Lewis and Clark encountered on their trip.
- Also on display are rocks, fossils and minerals from each state Lewis & Clark visited.
- "A Walk Through The Forest" simulates Lewis and Clark's walk in the wilderness.
WHAT'S COOL: The museum stands where the expedition's campsite was located.
ESPECIALLY FOR CHILDREN: A replica of Lewis' dog Seaman is a big hit with children as is the mounted prairie dog on display in the room with the replica of the explorers' campsite.
WHAT'S COMING UP: The new Lewis & Clark Center opens in 2003 at 1050 Riverside Drive along the Missouri River not far from the current Center. The new facility, which will be called the "Lewis & Clark Nature Center," will house the exhibits currently at the Lewis and Clark Museum but it will also focus on the plants and animals Lewis and Clark encountered on their journey. The bottom of the building will be over the water to house three boats that are replicas of the boats that Lewis and Clark used on their great trek west. The boats are going to be used by official re-enactors who will retrace Lewis and Clark's footsteps during 2003-2004.
ANNUAL SPECIAL EVENTS: The Center participates in St. Charles' Lewis & Clark Rendezvous each May.
HISTORY: Museum Director Mimi Jackson started the Lewis & Clark Center in 1985 because she decided "Lewis and Clark are a very important part of our history" and should be commemorated. She feels the former warehouse where the center is located is an appropriate site for her museum because it is adjacent to the location of the Lewis & Clark's St. Charles campsite. Because the historic site of St. Charles is on the National Register, the building cannot be altered even though it is not a historic building.
WHERE TO GET LUNCH: There are a number of interesting restaurants along Main Street in downtown St. Charles.
WHAT'S NEARBY: The Missouri River is nearby and visitors can river-watch at Frontier Park in St. Charles. Also nearby visitors will find Missouri's First Capitol, St. Charles Family Arena, UMB Bank Pavilion entertainment complex and Ameristar Casino St. Charles.
PUBLIC RELATIONS CONTACT: Mimi Jackson, museum director, 636-947-3199
Readers should call 1-800-916-0040 to request a free copy of the Official St. Louis Visitor Guide or point, click and explore St. Louis at www.explorestlouis.com
