"ARRIVAL AT CAMP RIVER DUBOIS" DECEMBER 10-11 AT LEWIS & CLARK STATE HISTORIC SITE COMMEMORATES EXPEDITION ANNIVERSARY

HARTFORD, IL - The 202^nd anniversary of the Lewis and Clark Expedition's arrival at their Illinois winter camp will be celebrated during "Arrival at Camp River Dubois" scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, December 10 and 11 at Lewis and Clark State Historic Site in Hartford, Illinois.  Re-enactors portraying President Thomas Jefferson and Expedition co-leader Meriwether Lewis will be at the site both days.  The event is free and open to the public except where noted.

 

The reconstructed Camp River Dubois will be the center of attention during this third annual special event.  Camp River Dubois, the original and the replica built by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency (IHPA) and the National Park Service, were constructed based on a drawing done by Expedition co-leader William Clark in 1803.  The camp will be open to the public with re-enactors' interpretation of daily life at Camp River Dubois.

 

In addition, re-enactors portraying President Jefferson and Captain Lewis will be present both days to survey the going-on.  Both can discuss their roles regarding the Expedition and will be pleased to pose for photographs with visitors.  More formal activities involving both men will be held in the site's Interpretive Center.  A 6 p.m. dinner, followed by a 7:15 p.m. program presented by Meriwether Lewis in the theatre, will be held Saturday, December 10.  On Sunday, December 11 a breakfast at 7:30 a.m. followed by a presentation by both Lewis and Jefferson at 8:30 a.m. will be offered.  Then, a 6 p.m. dinner on December 11 will be followed by a 7:15 p.m. program with Jefferson.  Tickets are $10 for each meal/program combination, and may be reserved by calling (618) 251-5811.                   

 

A number of authentic re-enactors will demonstrate daily winter life of "The Detachment" at Camp River Dubois.  The men of the Lewis and Clark Expedition were dedicated to the success of the mission, and throughout their journals Lewis and Clark referred to these men as "The Detachment."  The present day "Detachment" is a group of living history enthusiast who create a window of history with the desire to help visitors see the everyday life of these soldiers.  The "Detachment" will participate in a shooting match against the "Country People" preparing lunch; laundry duties; and guard and other "Fatigue Duties."   Four members

of  "The Detachment" have recently returned from participating in Washington and Oregon's Lewis and Clark bicentennial events.  Visitors are free to roam the camp and talk with these volunteers, including:  Aubrey Williams, blacksmith; Chuck Castellands, portraying a French river boatman known as an Engagé; and Pam Imes and Joanne Lenhardt, candle and soap makers.

 

Several exhibits and demonstrations will be located inside the Interpretive Center.  These include Richard and Paula Muskoff, who have collected Native American and historic artifacts throughout southern Illinois; Glenn Weaver, whose Native American artifacts were collected throughout Madison and Jersey Counties, including at and around the present location of the Lewis & Clark State Historic Site; David Kuester, who will exhibit tools from the late 18^th and early 19^th century; Ed Hamburg, who will discuss the military weapons used during the Expedition and display specimens of the 1705 Springfield Musket, 1792 Contract Rifle, and the Kentucky Long Gun, all of which were all used on the expedition; and Michael Watson, who will interpret the art of gun cartage assembly. 

 

            Lewis and Clark State Historic Site, administered by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, marks Site Number One on the National Lewis and Clark Heritage Trail.  It features a new museum about the Illinois role in the expedition, as well as an accurate reconstruction of the camp from where the Expedition began.  It is open Wednesday through Sunday for free public tours, and is located along Illinois Route 3 a few miles north of I-270 in Hartford, Illinois.  The site will be closed December 25 and January 1 for the holidays.