Lewis and Clark Boat House and Museum - Lewis and Clark Trail Experience

Information

10 am to 5 pm Monday-Saturday 12 pm to 5 pm Sunday

636-947-3199

$5 for adults, $2 for children

Dog Friendly!

lat: 38.7729209 long: -90.4823482

We are a living, working museum. The Lewis and Clark Boat House and Museum brings the remarkable journey of 1803-06 to life at our riverfront base of operations in historic St. Charles, Missouri. And we share the story of the Expedition at destinations throughout the Midwest via our unique traveling fleet of replica boats and our experienced corps of re-enactors, the Discovery Expedition of St. Charles.

Located on the Missouri River, near where Lewis and Clark set off on May 21, 1804, we house three full-size replica boats on the lower level, viewable any time. Upstairs, the Museum features dioramas depicting the full journey, displays of the geology, Native Americans in the area, the journals and maps, smaller replica boats and a classroom featuring a 40 minute video in the classroom. Our outdoor spaces include a Museum patio with a wonderful view of the river and a nature trail. The gift shop features local crafts and a wide range of books and educational items.

Especially for youngsters and school groups, we have an animal scavenger hunt and science puzzles, with a staff comprised of former teachers who can answer your questions and offer suggestions for your journey.

A full-size replica of the Red Pirogue adjacent to the Museum

A full-size replica of the Red Pirogue adjacent to the Museum

The Boat House as seen from the river

The Boat House as seen from the river

Classrooms are welcome

Classrooms are welcome

Scavenger hunts for kids

Scavenger hunts for kids

A large and interesting gift shop

A large and interesting gift shop

Planting of traditional crops

Planting of traditional crops

A pollinator garden

A pollinator garden

Seaman greets you

Seaman greets you

We have a spectacular view of the sometimes-icy Missouri River

We have a spectacular view of the sometimes-icy Missouri River

The museum shop has more than 100 books about history, including the Expedition

The museum shop has more than 100 books about history, including the Expedition

The classroom is perfect for viewing our films or attending a presentation

The classroom is perfect for viewing our films or attending a presentation

Children can search for animals as part of our scavenger hunt.

Children can search for animals as part of our scavenger hunt.

Nearby Attractions

Distance Unit:

Lewis & Clark Boat House and Museum

Lewis & Clark Boat House and Museum

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If you are thinking about what you could get someo

If you are thinking about what you could get someone who loves the history of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, think about...

Connecting with the Nez Perce (Nimiipuu) way of life through Nez Perce Traditions! (Traditions). This amazing business offers handcrafted items from tribal and local artists, including beaded jewelry, deer-hide baby moccasins, warrior art, medicine bags, dresses decorated with cowrie shells, a beaded cradleboard, horse forehead ornaments, apparel, beauty and self-care products and more.

The shop’s goal is to invest, support and promote local Indigenous and diverse artisans. Drop into their storefront in beautiful downtown Lewiston’s Newberry Square, Idaho, for a custom authentic tribal shopping experience. Or call or shop online, and check their Facebook site, authentic tribal shopping experience (https://www.facebook.com/nezpercetraditions/), to see new arrivals, sales and specials. The Facebook page also announces when Traditions will appear at local art shows and events.

While visiting, if you have the time, be sure to book a Nez Perce tour as well!

https://www.lewisandclark.travel/listing/nez-perce-traditions-nimiipuu-gift-shop/

#lewisandclark #history #adventure #travel #idaho #nezperce #shoplocal

Site of the Week: Locust Grove Locust Grove was e

Site of the Week: Locust Grove

Locust Grove was established in 1792 by William and Lucy Clark Croghan and has seen many famous people over the years. Among them are Presidents James Monroe and Andrew Jackson and the famous naturalist John James Audubon. Lewis and Clark also visited the house and regaled them with stories of the west over dinner.

Locust Grove is situated in Louisville, Kentucky, about 4,000 feet south of the Ohio River. Surrounding the house is a well-maintained grass lawn with a parking lot for visitors. Besides the house itself, there is a visitor’s center with a gift shop. Guides offer highly informative tours of the house, giving visitors a view into what life was like for these members of the Clark family. Besides being a significant site for Lewis and Clark historians, one room on the first floor of Locust Hill also housed former American Revolution General George Rogers Clark (brother to both Lucy Croghan and William Clark) during the final years of his life.

Photos of Locust Grove Courtesy of Cait Clark.

#lewisandclark #history #adventure #travel #locustgrove #louisvillekentucky #Kentucky

Check out our YouTube Channel! We have some great

Check out our YouTube Channel!

We have some great content being posted there every Saturday - you’ll see videos related to personal stories and adventures on the trail, special reports on various trail locations, and much more!

Be sure to subscribe and share with friends as well!

https://www.youtube.com/@lewisandclarktrailalliance

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Here’s a summary of another video you can find there, ‘ Where Louisville Begins - Visit Historic Locust Grove’:

“This c.1792 Georgian mansion tells the story of its owners, William and Lucy Clark Croghan, and the story of American beginnings. William and Lucy Clark Croghan and Lucy’s brother, General George Rogers Clark, welcomed a generation of American luminaries to their home to rest, dialogue, campaign, and duel. Presidents James Monroe and Andrew Jackson, John James Audubon, Cassius Marcellus C, and Lewis and Clark—among others—all passed through Locust Grove. Now a National Historic Landmark, Locust Grove is a unique example of early Kentucky architecture, craftsmanship, and history.

Director of Interpretation Kaitlyn Tisdale takes us on a virtual tour of this historic location.

Learn more about Louisville history at https://lewis-clark.org/?s=locust+grove”

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y1kfBtR17m8)

Park of the Week: Harpers Ferry National Historica

Park of the Week: Harpers Ferry National Historical Park

Positioned at the meeting place of three states (Virginia, West Virginia, and Maryland) and the confluence of two major rivers (the Potomac and the Shenandiah), it is not surprising that Harpers Ferry National Historical Park has seen quite a bit of history. The town was the site of John Brown’s Raid and changed hands between the North and the South eight times throughout the course of the Civil War. It was also visited by George Washington in 1785 as he gauged the need for canals and sluices on the Potomac River.

Many visitors are shocked to find that Harpers Ferry also claims a major role in the success of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. In 1803, Meriwether Lewis stopped at Harpers Ferry as he prepared for his famous journey to the Pacific Ocean. At the time of his visit, Harpers Ferry was the home of the United States Armory and Arsenal. Resultantly, Lewis ordered the production of 15 powder horns, 30 bullet molds, 30 ball screws, extra rifle and musket locks, gunsmith's repair tools, several dozen tomahawks, 24 large knives, and a collapsible iron boat frame. These weapons and tools were used by the members of the expedition as they braved the great wilderness of western North America.

Today, the buildings of Harpers Ferry Historical Park are home to a series of small museums, artisan boutiques, and restaurants. Though the United States Armory and Arsenal itself was burnt down during the Civil War, visitors can still read about Meriwether Lewis’s time in Harpers Ferry on informational signs and inside one of the small onsite museums dedicated to the armaments of the expedition. Tours dedicated to the history of Harpers Ferry also detail Lewis’s time and lodgings as he stayed in town.

Photos credited to Mitchell Pence and Cait Clark, 2024

#lewisandclark #history #adventure #travel #westvirginia #maryland #virginia #potomacriver #harpersferry #shenandiahriver

Our new APP is now available! Check it out if you

Our new APP is now available! Check it out if you haven’t yet to bring the adventure and magic of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail on your mobile device. Scan the QR code here or find it on your app store.