Lewis and Clark Expedition

1803-1806 2003-2006

In the fall of 1803, Thomas Jefferson commissioned the Corps of Discovery under the command of Meriwether Lewis. Besides seeking the Northwest Passage, Lewis was to map the new territory, assess its natural resources, and if possible, make contact with its inhabitants. Both Louisville and Clarksville were significant towns in the early stages of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, as this is where the infamous "Corps of Discovery" unit was formed and much of the journey planning was done. The nucleus of the Corps of Discovery - recruited by William Clark in Louisville and Clarksville - became known as the "Nine Young Men from Kentucky," even though not all of them were from Kentucky. The initial planning of the expedition began on October 14, 1803, with the arrival of William Clark at the Falls of the Ohio. Lewis and Clark met at the Falls to recruit the men and plan the journey route West. The planning and recruiting spanned the next 12 days, with Lewis, Clark, and the Corps of Discovery departing from Clarksville down the Ohio River on October 26, 1803.

(Original Artwork Courtesy of Marla Blevins)

Corps of Discovery II

Kentucky 2003 Tour Stops

Ashland, KY - September 13-17
Maysville, KY - October 3-8
Louisville, KY - October 14-19
Henderson, KY - November 2-6
Paducah, KY - November 11-16

Beginning in 2003 and ending in 2006, the Lewis and Clark Expedition Bicentennial will be celebrated across the Nation. The bicentennial journey will commence at Monticello, VA, travel along the Ohio River past scenic points in Kentucky, progress along the Mississippi River to St. Louis, MO, with planned stops at many waypoints along the Missouri River through to the Pacific Ocean, with the final destination at Fort Clapstop National Memorial in Astoria, OR.

Opening ceremonies for the Falls of the Ohio Bicentennial Commemoration and National Signature Event will kickoff in Louisville, Kentucky, on October 14, 2003. The kickoff will signal the start of events, spanning a 2-week period, along both sides of the Ohio River. Activities will be held at Waterfront Park in downtown Louisville, Kentucky, during October 14-19, 2003, and in Clarksville/Falls of the Ohio State Park in Indiana during October 21-26, 2003.

In addition to the National Signature Event, the National Park Service's Corps of Discovery II - a mobile exhibit that includes the "Tent of Many Voices" - will be present during the commemoration period. The numerous presentations, lectures, and live performances scheduled for the "Tent of Many Voices" will take place at Waterfront Park in Louisville during October 14-19 and at the Falls of the Ohio State Park in Indiana during October 22-28.

During the week October 14-19, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Kentucky District, will participate in the National Observance of the 200th anniversary of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Several activities and materials planned for the USGS exhibit include a depiction of the USGS legacy of surveying our natural history 200 years post the Lewis and Clark Expedition; displays of Lewis and Clark's Expedition map route; a current USGS map of the route from St. Louis, Missouri, to Ft. Clatsop, Oregon; old and current surveying and scientific equipment used for map making, geology, and water resources; a copy of the law establishing the USGS in 1879; USGS Water-Resources Fact Sheets; satellite telemetry currently used by the USGS for presenting real-time water, geologic, and natural resources conditions; and water games and activities for children of all ages intended to provide a better understanding of water resources. USGS staff will provide live demonstrations of how Lewis and Clark made velocity measurements with the instrumentation available in the 1800's as well as demonstrate technology/methods used by the USGS today. Additionally, presentations by USGS staff will be featured at the "Tent of Many Voices."

Lewis and Clark Expedition

1803-1806 2003-2006

(Original Artwork Courtesy of Marla Blevins)

Corps of Discovery II

Kentucky 2003 Tour Stops

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