Lewis and Clark State Historic Site facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Lewis and Clark State Historic Site |
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A reconstruction of Camp Dubois is on the grounds of the historic site.
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The Lewis and Clark State Historic Site is a special place in Hartford, Illinois. It opened in 2002 and is managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. This site remembers Camp Dubois, which was a very important camp for the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
The Lewis and Clark Expedition was a famous journey across America. From December 1803 to May 1804, explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark and their team stayed at Camp Dubois. They prepared there before heading west to explore new lands.
The historic site is located near the Mississippi River in Illinois. It is also known as Lewis and Clark State Park. It is a key stop on the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail.
Contents
What You Can See at the Site
The Lewis and Clark State Historic Site offers exciting things to see and do. It helps visitors understand the famous expedition.
The Interpretive Center
The site has a large interpretive center, about 14,000 square feet. This center is full of fun and educational exhibits. You can learn all about the expedition's goals and challenges.
- Theater: Watch films that tell the story of Lewis and Clark's journey.
- Hands-on Exhibits: Explore displays where you can touch and interact with history.
- Keelboat Replica: See a huge, 55-foot-long model of a keelboat. This is the type of boat the explorers used on their journey. Part of it is cut away so you can see inside!
Camp Dubois Replica
Outside the center, you can walk through a full-size copy of Camp Dubois. This outdoor replica shows what the camp looked like over 200 years ago. It helps you imagine what life was like for the explorers.
- Log Cabins: See the cabins where the expedition members lived during the winter.
- Fortifications: Understand how they protected their camp.
- Daily Life: Learn about the tasks and training the team did before their big adventure.
The Lewis and Clark Expedition
The Lewis and Clark Expedition was a journey ordered by President Thomas Jefferson. Its main goal was to explore the lands of the Louisiana Purchase. This was a huge area of land bought by the United States in 1803.
Preparing for the Journey
Before starting their long trip, Lewis and Clark needed a place to prepare. Camp Dubois was chosen because it was a good spot near the Mississippi River. Here, the team gathered supplies, trained, and planned their route.
The Great Adventure
In May 1804, the expedition left Camp Dubois and headed west. They traveled thousands of miles, exploring new rivers, mountains, and meeting different Native American tribes. Their journey helped map the western United States.
External links
- Lewis and Clark State Historic Site — official website
