Official Website:   http://www.lewisandclark.net DESC in the Press: STLtoday.com (9/22/06)   Lewis & Clark Return to St. Charles Atchison Online (9/15/06)   Final Lewis & Clark expedition arrives Kansas City infozine News (9/06/06)   Lewis & Clark Bicentennial Wraps Up This Month Sioux City, Iowa's KTIV.com (9/04/06)   Bicentennial Celebrates Life, Death & Burial Of Floyd

October 1, 2005
Contact: Sue Schneider
              314-409-8922
              sue@rivercitygroup.com

Discovery Expedition of St. Charles, Missouri Recreates History of the Lewis and Clark Expedition

One man's dream to educate people about the Lewis and Clark Expedition is being fulfilled thanks to the efforts of some 238 volunteer members from 38 states, including some descendants of the original Corps of Discovery. Organized by a non-profit organization called the Discovery Expedition of Saint Charles, Missouri, the project was begun by Glen Bishop, who spent 10 years building a replica keelboat in his backyard. Mr. Bishop, unfortunately, passed away before seeing his dream become a reality. The Discovery Expedition, now in its third year of the re-enactment, has completed over 4,100 miles on the Ohio, Mississippi and Missouri Rivers making this the longest military re-enactment in American history and a significant component of our nation's National Bicentennial Commemoration of the original Expedition.

In 2003, the group traveled from Elisabeth, PA., where the original keelboat was built. They picked up the Red Pirogue in Wheeling, WV. on the Ohio River and, later, the White Pirogue was purchased in Kaskaskia, IL as they moved north on the Mississippi River. They then wintered that year at Camp Dubois, near Wood River, IL. On May 14, 2004, the Corps departed their winter camp, entered the mouth of the Missouri River and after a brief stay in Saint Charles, MO to meet up with Captain Lewis they moved to Mandan, ND, the site of the second year Lewis and Clark winter camp, Fort Mandan. In 2005, the historically accurate group departed from Fort Mandan, ND in April. One group of re-enactors brought the keelboat back down the Missouri River to St. Louis as was originally done in 1805. A second group of soldiers with Captains Lewis and Clark proceeded westward with the red and white pirogues the same day. They've gone as far as they could by river, crossed the mountains and are continuing the arduous journey on horseback, in dugout canoes and by foot. As they proceed on, they will continue to tell the Lewis and Clark story by presenting living campsite displays, school presentations, campfire story telling and individual presentations until they reach the Pacific Ocean in November. Along the way, special attention is paid to the inclusion of the vast contributions of the Native American tribes.

The Discovery Expedition, with its unique and talented volunteers, continues to blend the world of yesteryear with the world of today. Daily life on the river and the trail make the personal inconveniences the men endure what the men of the original expedition endured. The discoveries en route and the ability to put volunteer history buffs, curious townsfolk, tourists and students together for a step back in time is a gift to behold and is the primary goal of the Discovery Expedition.

Note: For more information about the Discovery Expedition of St. Charles, Missouri or to view a schedule of its stops and programs visit www.lewisandclark.net. The home base of the Discovery Expedition is in St. Charles, Missouri at its own Boathouse and Museum.