Lewis and Clark National Monument
Located in Omaha, Nebraska, the Lewis and Clark National Monument is a notable site commemorating the westward expedition led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark in the early 19th century. Established in 1935 as a monument, it would eventually be merged with two other sites to form the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, stretching from Camp Dubois, Illinois to Fort Clatsop, Oregon, covering over 3,700 miles. The trail itself showcases pivotal points in the journey of these iconic explorers, providing valuable insight into the experiences they faced.
One of the distinguishing features of the monument is its dedication to not only Lewis and Clark, but also the countless individuals and tribes who played significant roles in their journey. Visitors can view reproductions of the keelboat and pirogues used during the journey, such as the primary vessel known as the Discovery, built in the winter of 1803-1804 at the falls of the Ohio River in Clarksville, Indiana. Living history demonstrations also take place throughout the year, offering insight into life on the trail, with interpreters portraying Lewis, Clark, and Sacagawea, a Lemhi Shoshone woman who proved invaluable in negotiations with the tribes they encountered.
A detailed aspect of the trail around Omaha is its proximity to the Council Bluff site. It was here that Lewis and Clark met with thirty-One Native American Chiefs, hoping to assure a peaceful relationship with Native American tribes as they continued their journey west. An account of this event can be found in the Lewis and Clark Journals, providing an insightful record of this significant meeting. A full-scale representation of the council cabin where the meeting took place has been built near the Lewis and Clark Monument.
Another notable stop near Omaha, though technically situated across the river from Omaha, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, is the Golden Spike National Monument. By recognizing its historical significance, travelers begin to understand the relationship between the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad in 1869 and Lewis and Clark's endeavors nearly seven decades earlier. For the railroad followed the route that was largely blazed by the two explorers. The connections between westward expansion strategies and innovations used by Lewis and Clark began forming the foundational mindset of United States explorers in their attempts to cultivate ties with Native American tribes and pave the way for continued westward growth.
Upon visiting the Lewis and Clark National Monument, history enthusiasts may also be interested in visiting the adjacent Monument's museum and visitor center, to analyze its assemblage of artifacts associated with the explorers. This variety of sources, historical records and archaeological findings provides numerous perspectives into the complex roles of all involved parties during this pivotal moment in American exploration. Furthermore, these artifacts reveal to patrons new sides of Lewis, Clark and the multiple individuals and tribes who coalesced around their ambitious endeavor.
By analyzing these displays, travel enthusiasts grasp an illustrative reminder that the western frontier could be carved out and reshaped in relentless efforts of discovery. Even though monumental journeys like these cannot be replicated, the inextricable essence that propelled these travelers onward and beyond borders remains inspiring to travelers today. They also recall to travelers using the publicized information shared along the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, we often rediscover knowledge about western America's interweaved lives that characterized not only Lewis and Clark's time but those of their guide, interpreter, Sacagawea.
Whether seen from foot, by car, or with contemporary satellite guidance it stands impossible for onlookers not to observe that profound moment associated to two individuals traversing into a largely unknown western world nearly two hundred years ago. These tributes around Omaha demonstrate the value that lies in reliving such powerful examples. Through their lives and enduring accounts witnessed from these national historic sites associated with one of America's greatest adventurer's legacy - remembrance is given so that tourists can truly see beyond these rugged highways.
In 2001 efforts led to merger forming Lewis and Clark, Nebraska, Discovery. By finding an amalgamation of both trail routes, Clark with new road route from their historic, all people will be able to discover new knowledge of our US historical past and add understanding of such frontier experiences in our ongoing existence.
One of the distinguishing features of the monument is its dedication to not only Lewis and Clark, but also the countless individuals and tribes who played significant roles in their journey. Visitors can view reproductions of the keelboat and pirogues used during the journey, such as the primary vessel known as the Discovery, built in the winter of 1803-1804 at the falls of the Ohio River in Clarksville, Indiana. Living history demonstrations also take place throughout the year, offering insight into life on the trail, with interpreters portraying Lewis, Clark, and Sacagawea, a Lemhi Shoshone woman who proved invaluable in negotiations with the tribes they encountered.
A detailed aspect of the trail around Omaha is its proximity to the Council Bluff site. It was here that Lewis and Clark met with thirty-One Native American Chiefs, hoping to assure a peaceful relationship with Native American tribes as they continued their journey west. An account of this event can be found in the Lewis and Clark Journals, providing an insightful record of this significant meeting. A full-scale representation of the council cabin where the meeting took place has been built near the Lewis and Clark Monument.
Another notable stop near Omaha, though technically situated across the river from Omaha, in Council Bluffs, Iowa, is the Golden Spike National Monument. By recognizing its historical significance, travelers begin to understand the relationship between the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad in 1869 and Lewis and Clark's endeavors nearly seven decades earlier. For the railroad followed the route that was largely blazed by the two explorers. The connections between westward expansion strategies and innovations used by Lewis and Clark began forming the foundational mindset of United States explorers in their attempts to cultivate ties with Native American tribes and pave the way for continued westward growth.
Upon visiting the Lewis and Clark National Monument, history enthusiasts may also be interested in visiting the adjacent Monument's museum and visitor center, to analyze its assemblage of artifacts associated with the explorers. This variety of sources, historical records and archaeological findings provides numerous perspectives into the complex roles of all involved parties during this pivotal moment in American exploration. Furthermore, these artifacts reveal to patrons new sides of Lewis, Clark and the multiple individuals and tribes who coalesced around their ambitious endeavor.
By analyzing these displays, travel enthusiasts grasp an illustrative reminder that the western frontier could be carved out and reshaped in relentless efforts of discovery. Even though monumental journeys like these cannot be replicated, the inextricable essence that propelled these travelers onward and beyond borders remains inspiring to travelers today. They also recall to travelers using the publicized information shared along the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, we often rediscover knowledge about western America's interweaved lives that characterized not only Lewis and Clark's time but those of their guide, interpreter, Sacagawea.
Whether seen from foot, by car, or with contemporary satellite guidance it stands impossible for onlookers not to observe that profound moment associated to two individuals traversing into a largely unknown western world nearly two hundred years ago. These tributes around Omaha demonstrate the value that lies in reliving such powerful examples. Through their lives and enduring accounts witnessed from these national historic sites associated with one of America's greatest adventurer's legacy - remembrance is given so that tourists can truly see beyond these rugged highways.
In 2001 efforts led to merger forming Lewis and Clark, Nebraska, Discovery. By finding an amalgamation of both trail routes, Clark with new road route from their historic, all people will be able to discover new knowledge of our US historical past and add understanding of such frontier experiences in our ongoing existence.
