Call Us At: 636-947-3199
Ending the Year on a Low (River) Note
Just one foot separated the current river level and the record lows of 3.2 feet on Dec. 29. As of this writing, the river is the lowest it has been in 20 years. Want to track river levels? Visit here or go to the front page of our website, at the bottom of the page and click the link.
Above, DESC Board Chairman Jan Donelson, left, congratulates Member of the Year Kenny Berkemeyer, for duties large and small, with a short list of his contributions including transporting our boats and being sound man during videos.
DESC Annual Honors
Highlight Volunteers, Supporters
At the Discovery Expedition of St. Charles Holiday Party, 80 guests from nine states were treated to live music, fine food, a silent auction filled with collectibles and consumables and, of course, the annual awards.

Member of the Year Kenny Berkeyer was recognized for wrangling the boats with an 18-wheeler and pitching in on projects large and small. His talents are indispensible!
Volunteer of the Year Bonnie Dillard, at right, was honored for giving time, donations, spirit to many events throughout the year.
The Award of Merit was presented to Marilyn Geery for keeping the memory of the corps and supporting Geery's Grove, a spot for reflection in the woods near the Boat House.
New Members of the Year Jim & Marty Martin were honored for jumping in as volunteers and re-enactors at Festival of the Little Hills and Boone Home and pitching in wherever needed.
Distinguished Service Award Winner Bob Learned was recognized and thanked for 14 years as Executive Director, leadership and continued donations of time and support with his wife, Pat.

Many thanks to the many, many volunteers who made the weekend special, most notably Brigitte and Norm Bowers, Bonnie Dillard, and staffer Susan Marsh!
New Members of the Year Jim & Marty Martin were honored for jumping in as volunteers and re-enactors at Festival of the Little Hills and Boone Home and pitching in wherever needed.
Distinguished Service Award Bob Learned was recognized and thanked for 14 years as Executive Director, leadership and continued donations of time and support with his wife, Pat.
The Award of Merit was presented to Marilyn Geery for keeping the memory of the corps and supporting Geery's Grove, a spot for reflection in the woods near the Boat House.
St. Louis News Station profiles Boat House:
Anchors can't hide their amazement!
KMOV-TV anchor Matt Chambers visited the museum Nov. 18 and aired this glowing profile of the museum on Dec. 1. With 1,600 likes on Facebook, the four-minute video captures some of the magic and history of our home on the river. We're grateful to our partners at the St.Charles Convention and Visitors Bureau for selecting the Boat House & Museum to highlight. Watch to the very end!
End of Year Grants
Show Investment in Our Mission

The end of the year brought glad tidings from several grantmaking organizations and individuals:
  • The FHC Foundation has awarded us $5,000 for general museum needs (thanks to Nancy for facilitating!)
  • The Lewis & Clark Trail Heritage Foundation has awarded us $5,000 for display and interpretation related to river travel (specifically the Portland Dugout) AND $5,000 toward the Lewis and Clark Film Series. These are funded in part by the Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation from the Lewis and Clark Trail Stewardship Endowment: A National Council of the Lewis and Clark Expedition Bicentennial Legacy Project.
  • We have received the first payment of $33,333.33 toward construction of the Lotsie & Rick Holton Education Center from the Holton Family Foundation. 
  • We've received a donation for lighting improvements inside and outside the museum from the Eller and Brecht families.

To make your end of the year donations, which can go toward Exhibits, Building Renovation, Education, the Film Series, Work on the Boats, and other uses, you can contribute online:
You can also mail a tax-deductible contribution to:
Discovery Expedition of St. Charles, 1050 S. Riverside Drive, Saint Charles, MO 63301.
Shop with Amazon Smile and you support the Discovery Expedition of St. Charles!
One half of a percent on every purchase you make can benefit DESC when you shop through Amazon Smile. It's simple and helps us do good.

To get started, log in to your Amazon account like usual, then click or paste this link:
https://smile.amazon.com/?ref_=smi_ext_ch_43-1699114_dl
Film Series Special Offer:
The first release of our film series capturing key moments in the journals of Lewis & Clark is now available for purchase and viewing. As members of the Discovery Expedition of St. Charles, you can subscribe to the initial introductory release of the Series at a greatly reduced price for a limited time offer of $29.99, a discount of 50 percent for the first six episodes. This offer will only be in effect until Jan. 31, 2023. TO ACCESS AND DOWNLOAD THE VIDEOS, CLICK HERE.
Book your event at the Boat House!
Just this month, we hosted a 60th birthday party, wedding proposal (she said "yes!"), two days of corporate meetings and the return of school visits! We have booked a wedding rehearsal dinner for June 2023 and now have an ordained wedding officiant on staff.
Thanks to our friends and supporters!
Despite our challenges, we close out a very successful 2021 poised for exceptional growth. We were blessed by hundreds who helped along the way, but a special shout out to the following for their financial support!

Sacagawea’s Club ($10,000 and over)
Mr. and Mrs. Barbara and Ed Eller
FHC Foundation
Ms. Marilyn Geery
Ms. Carlota (Lotsie) Clark Hermann Holton
Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation (Lewis and Clark Trail Stewardship Endowment: A National Council of the Lewis and Clark Expedition Bicentennial Legacy Program)
Ron Lowery and family
National Park Service
Mr. and Mrs. Sue and Lynn Schneider

Jefferson’s Club ($1,000 and over)
Audrain County Historical Society
Mr. Bryant Boswell
Mr & Mrs. Bill and Teri Brecht
City of St. Charles
The Explorer’s Club, St. Louis Chapter
Fort Massac State Park
Mr. Duane Parker
Mr. & Mrs. Tom and Karen Ronk
Friends of Sue Schneider
Mr. & Mrs. Mack and Charleen Thornton
Paric Construction
Mr. & Mrs. Tom and Joy Young

Captain’s Club ($500 and over)
Mr. John Fisher
Mr. Jerry Garrett
Ms. Anna Laughlin
Mr. Bob Learned
Kluesner Kreations
Lewis and Clark Indiana Foundation
Lewis and Clark Trust
Ms. Janise Manchester
Mr. Richard Prestholdt

In Honor of
Donations in Memory of Jay Coble
Donations in Memory of Barb Eller
Donation in Honor of Gene Glandt
Donations in Honor of Bob Kilmer
Donation in Honor of Marita Ulhaas Parker
Donations in Honor of the Wedding of Lynette Trotter and Gaylen Medders
Donation in Honor of Gene Olson
Donation in Honor of William J. Wolf
Donation in Memory of Donna Whitton, from her Knit-Wit Group
Donations in Memory of Bob Anderson
Donations in Memory of All DESC members who have passed: Presented by Bob & Pat Learned

The list is updated continually on our website! Visit and learn more about how you can get involved. And a special shout out to our Board and Staff for giving selflessly all year long.
You can be involved in many different ways:
  • Become a member or consider making an extra donation!
  • Volunteer at the Museum.
  • Consider adopting a part of the museum, such as a new display or upgrade.
  • Consider sponsoring an educational program or video series.
  • Does your company have services or products to donate? From cleaning services/supplies to printing to items for our raffle, we are always interested in partnerships.
  • Adopt a part of the museum, such as a new display. Consider sponsoring an educational program or a film in our mini series.

Just as the Corps of Discovery depended on teamwork, dedication and perseverance, so does your Museum and Discovery Expedition. We are incredibly proud to be recognized as an official site on the Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail. We have the only fleet of river-worthy replica boats in the United States. And most importantly, we are proud to be a living, working Museum! Thank you for being part of our journey.
Information about your Corps

Form 990, Annual Tax Filing As a 501(c)3 non-profit, the Discovery Expedition of St. Charles is required to file an annual statement for public viewing. The 2021 report and it's published here for your reference.

Guidestar Listing We have Silver Certification from Guidestar, a trusted directory of all U.S. nonprofits (free log-in may be required)
Interested in Qualified Charitable Distributions? We can help!
We're glad to accept gifts of cash via our online portal and we are a 501(c), with donations eligible for tax deductions. We hold Silver Certification from Guidestar, so you can feel comfortable donating.
Our mailing address is 1050 S. Riverside Dr., St. Charles, MO 63301.

Seeking a tax-advantaged way to handle your retirement plan's Required Minimum Distribution? Consider a Qualified Charitable Distribution, with our helpful IRS resources here.

Also, we are in the midst of a major renovation of the museum. We'd love to make a new home for your gently used office equipment including:
  • Bookshelves
  • Large flatscreen monitors (Smart TVs)
  • Patio Furniture
Corp of Discovery from the Journals

December 31, 1803 – "I issued certain orders & prohibited a Certain [blank] Ramey from Selling Liquer to the Party....Colter, Willard Leakens, Hall & Collins Drunk." (Clark)
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