Call Us At: 636-947-3199

To access those hard-to-reach places, we've called on lifts to bring a dugout canoe into the museum and to re-caulk the highest windows in the museum and also do roof work. Thanks to member donations, we're adding to our collections and constantly upgrading the museum!

When a group of friends arrived in St. Charles on a 1989 pontoon boat from Ponca State Park, South Dakota earlier this month, they had no plans for the "Floating Floyd" as they called it. After touring the Boat House and learning about the history of DESC, they group decided to donate the boat -- after all, the tragic story of Sgt. Charles Floyd was its inspiration. Our team, led by Larry Boschen and Tom Ronk, with assistance from a trailer lent by Sue Schneider, brought the boat on dry land and prepared it for its next project. Expect the boat to be transformed into an 1804 landing platform and appear in our film series.

Speaking of donations: Thanks to John Fisher, for donating two adzes, likely used to shape canoes in the 1800s. One has a handle made of whale bone. The other has a copper blade. Both will be used to help tell the story of canoe building in the era of Lewis & Clark. John Fisher also recently donated 5 historic prints of Newfoundlands that were used to illustrate his monography describing the history of Seaman and the breed.

Director of Education Bill Brecht was interviewed about the construction, history and features of our full-size replica keelboat as part of C-Span's Books That Shaped America series. The episode covering History of the Expedition Under the Command of Captains Lewis and Clark by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark (1814) premiered on the network Oct. 2. The 90-minute show featured a live interview with Stephenie Ambrose Tubbs, author of The Lewis and Clark Companion and Why Sacagawea Deserves the Day Off and Other Lessons from the Lewis and Clark Trail.

Standing atop the 55-foot keelboat, Brecht explained to videographer Jen Garrott how the boat was custom-fitted for the expedition and its crew of 22 would row, pole or even drag the boat by ropes as they labored against the Missouri River current. He notes a hinged mast for capturing the wind when conditions allowed and storage platforms which allowed the crew to stand higher for poling, or to be raised in defense.

Visitors to the Lewis & Clark Boat House and Museum in St. Charles, MO can see the keelboat and two other full-size boat replicas, called pirogues, and learn much more about the expedition, which left St. Charles in May 1804 and returned in Sept. 1806.

I would remiss not to include my lovely assistant Joy Young who did not dress period but was invaluable in providing support for the event.

On Sunday morning DESC was to take the Frontier Stage to talk about our favorite subject. I started the presentation describing our organization and what we accomplished during the Bicentennial and finished by talking about the Star Spangled Banner. Mike Baker did an excellent presentation on George Droulliard and Davy Cain spoke about John Colter. Scott did a great job with his poem that we all love so much and really captured the audience. I could listen to Scott do that every day. 

We enjoyed a fish fry on Friday evening and Joy brought breakfast casserole on Saturday morning. Saturday night was the free dinner for reenactors and biscuits and gravy was served by the Boy Scouts Sunday morning. Brigette came through as usual with some delicious baked goods on Saturday. We had no lack of nourishment for sure.

The campers were Tom Young, Davy Cain and Steve Meyer. The weather was perfect and we had some good campfire conversations just like the old days. I would not be surprised to see us back in two years with the keelboat. We will see. I am deeply grateful for the fantastic crew that we had and thank everyone for making this event a resounding success! Tom Young, phase leader

Dues are paid by the calendar year: You can renew online, call 636-947-3199 or send a check to DESC, 1050 S. Riverside Drive, Saint Charles, MO 63301. Thank you for your support and for being a member!

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 March 1, 2023. TO ACCESS AND DOWNLOAD THE VIDEOS, CLICK HERE.

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.

Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation (Lewis and Clark Trail Stewardship Endowment: A National Council of the Lewis and Clark Expedition Bicentennial Legacy Program)

Mr. & Mrs. Jan Donelson

University of Missouri-St. Louis Graduate Program in Museums, Heritage and Public History

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.

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)

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.

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.