The French Art Colony - Lewis and Clark Trail Experience

Information

Gallery & Office Hours: Tuesday-Friday: 9:00-4:00 Saturday: 10:00 -3:00 Sunday & Monday: Closed

(740) 446-3834

Free Admission

lat: 38.8092673 long: -82.2013673

The French Art Colony, a regional multi-arts center, has served our area for more than 50 years! We offer art exhibitions, classes, community events, educational outreach and rentals of our historic facility for public and private events. We are also home to The Riverby Theatre Guild, featuring an annual schedule of community theatre, children’s theatre and more.

The mission of the French Art Colony is to enhance the quality of life for everyone through the arts, advocating for and supporting education and economic development throughout our tri-state communities and providing a welcome home, where the arts may flourish.

Visit our website to learn more about our events, galleries, and classes.

The pavillion is used for many outdoor events including weddings.

The pavillion is used for many outdoor events including weddings.

The French Art Colony offers a variety of classes for different age groups.

The French Art Colony offers a variety of classes for different age groups.

Nearby Attractions

Distance Unit:

Ariel Opera House

Ariel Opera House

Gallipolis, OH, USA
Distance: 0.07 Away

Galleries and Venues Guided Tours

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Gallia County Genealogical Society, OGS Chapter

Gallia County Genealogical Society, OGS Chapter

Gallia County Genealogical Society, O.G.S. Chapter, Inc., 2nd Avenue, Gallipolis, OH, USA
Distance: 0.11 Away

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Gallia County Convention and Visitors Bureau

Gallia County Convention and Visitors Bureau

Gallia County Convention and Visitors Bureau, 2nd Avenue, Gallipolis, OH, USA
Distance: 0.14 Away

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Our House Tavern Museum

Our House Tavern Museum

Our House Tavern Museum, 1st Avenue, Gallipolis, OH, USA
Distance: 0.15 Away

Museums and Interpretive Centers

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Gallipolis City Park

Gallipolis City Park

Gallipolis City Park, 2nd Avenue, Gallipolis, OH, USA
Distance: 0.29 Away

Outdoor Experiences

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Gallia County Historical Society

Gallia County Historical Society

Gallia County Historical Society, 2nd Avenue, Gallipolis, OH, USA
Distance: 0.29 Away

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BoardRoom46

BoardRoom46

BoardRoom46, 2nd Avenue, Gallipolis, OH, USA
Distance: 0.36 Away

Galleries and Venues Shopping

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John Gee Black Historical Center

John Gee Black Historical Center

John Gee Black Historical Center, Pine Street, Gallipolis, OH, USA
Distance: 0.37 Away

Museums and Interpretive Centers Guided Tours

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Pine Street Cemetery

Pine Street Cemetery

Pine Street Cemetery, Vinton Court, Gallipolis, OH, USA
Distance: 0.54 Away

Guided Tours Outdoor Experiences Other

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Gallipolis Railroad Freight Station Museum

Gallipolis Railroad Freight Station Museum

Gallipolis Railway Freight Station Museum, 3rd Avenue, Gallipolis, OH, USA
Distance: 0.57 Away

Museums and Interpretive Centers

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Mound Hill Cemetery

Mound Hill Cemetery

State Route 141, Gallipolis, OH 45631, USA
Distance: 1.18 Away

Guided Tours Other

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Cliffside Golf Course

Cliffside Golf Course

Cliffside Golf Course, Cliffside Drive, Gallipolis, OH, USA
Distance: 1.68 Away

Outdoor Experiences

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Our bi-weekly newsletter provides news, history, and information for those interested in traveling along along the Lewis & Clark Trail.

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Instagram Feed

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

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.

Site of the Week: Pompey’s Pillar National Monum

Site of the Week: Pompey’s Pillar National Monument

William Clark christened the rock formation “Pompey’s Tower” on July 25, 1806, as he and his party descended the Yellowstone River. Clark gave the huge monolith the nickname that he himself had fondly bestowed upon Sacagawea’s young son, Jean Baptiste Charbonneau. Nicholas Biddle, as he edited the journals upon Lewis and Clark’s return, changed the name to “Pompey’s Pillar.”

Pompey’s Pillar is known for being the only site with visible physical evidence of Lewis and Clark’s journey: Clark carved his name and the date onto the rock’s face. Now covered by a clear panel, the signature is protected from the elements while still being visible to visitors willing to climb up the steps to see it. Visitors can continue up the steps to the top of the rock where they can enjoy a 360-degree view of the landscape surrounding the site. There is also a highly informative and very well-designed visitor’s center at the base of Pompey’s Pillar, along with several outdoor educational structures and hiking trails.

Photos credited to Cait Clark.

#lewisandclark #history #adventure #travel #pompeyspillar #Montana #pompeyspillarnationalmonument

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 a recent video you can find there:

“The phrase "Point of Departure" originates from Captain Meriwether Lewis himself. On May 14, 1804, he wrote in his journal: "The mouth of the River Dubois is to be considered as the point of departure." That spring day, as the Lewis and Clark Expedition set out from what is now Wood River Creek, they embarked on a journey that would reshape the future of the United States.

After more than a year of preparation, the Expedition launched from Camp River Dubois on May 14, 1804. The crew included Captain William Clark, Clark’s enslaved servant York, interpreter George Drouillard, Seaman the dog, 34 enlisted men, and several French engagés—all traveling in a barge and two large pirogues. Their destination: uncharted territory up the Missouri River, starting with a stop in St. Charles where Captain Meriwether Lewis joined them after traveling overland.

Preparation began in December 1803, with winter quarters built at Camp River Dubois, across from the Missouri River’s mouth. Lewis gathered intelligence from St. Louis traders and secured supplies and gifts for diplomacy with Native nations. Meanwhile, the soldiers trained under strict military discipline, preparing for the immense challenges ahead.

A pivotal moment came in March 1804, when Lewis and Clark witnessed the transfer of Upper Louisiana from Spain to France—and then, just one day later, to the United States. This marked the dawn of a new American frontier, and the Expedition was ready to set forth into the unknown.”

(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yvhg1Gs3cvs)

Site of the Week: Knife River Indian Villages Nati

Site of the Week: Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site

The Knife River area, according to archaeological studies, has been inhabited by people for over 11,000 years. For hundreds of years it was a significant place of trade for the local tribes, a characteristic that would eventually be used to the advantage of fur traders starting in 1750. It remained a place of trade and mixing cultures until a smallpox epidemic decimated the population in 1837. Following this, the local Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara moved north and established another village.

During the time of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the Knife River villages were flourishing, providing a booming trading economy in what is modern-day North Dakota. It was from one of these villages that a young woman by the name of Sacagawea would emerge and take her place in the history of the expedition. She was Shoshone and had been taken captive by the Hidatsa during a raid against her tribe before she was won or otherwise purchased by French Canadian fur trader Toussaint Charbonneau.

Today, Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Park has a visitors center as well as a rebuilt earthlodge which holds replica artifacts in the summer months. Knowledgeable park rangers are available for tours, and there are multiple trails of varying lengths that are available to hike. There are birding checklists available in the visitors center, so make sure to pick one up so you can keep an eye out for the various bird varieties that are present at the site.

https://www.nps.gov/knri/index.htm

Photos credited to Cait Clark

#lewisandclark #history #adventure #travel #kniferiver #kniferiverindianvillagesnationhistoricsite #nationalparkservice #northdakota