Call Us At: 636-947-3199

WHEREAS: For 20 years, the Lewis & Clark Boat House and Museum has shared the history of the epic Expedition in the spot where the famous explorers camped in May 1804;

WHEREAS: The museum traces its roots to 1985, when Mimi and Darold Jackson opened the Lewis & Clark Center, an educational museum telling the story of the Lewis & Clark Expedition on Main Street and to the historical research and craftsmanship of Glen Bishop who created replicas of the explorers’ boats;

WHEREAS: The museum is rated as one of the top attractions in St. Charles, with more than 25,000 annual visitors and status as an official destination on the National Park Service’s Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail. By virtue of its location, the museum is a welcome destination for travelers on the National Trail, the Katy Trail and the Missouri River – including serving as the finish line for canoeists and kayakers paddling from Kansas City in the MR340 each year;

WHEREAS: The museum is a favorite destination for school and senior groups, hosting more than 200 school groups annually, developing a series of films based on key episodes in the Expedition, and using its location on the banks of the Missouri to educate about the history and science behind the life of the river;

WHEREAS: The Boat House was created along the banks of the Missouri River in order to serve as dry dock for three full-size replica historic boats and to be home for the museum’s displays and artifacts and headquarters of the Discovery Expedition of St. Charles, a crew of re-enactors and historians who re-enacted the full journey of Lewis & Clark from 2003-2006;

WHEREAS: This anniversary year, the Museum has embarked on a capital campaign to expand its classroom space and improve exhibits, lighting, garden and event space and celebrating the many volunteers, founders and partners who have contributed along the way;

WHEREAS: The mission of the Lewis & Clark Boat House, Museum and Discovery Expedition of St. Charles is to provide genuine living history and museum experiences that promote education and the study of our national heritage during the period surrounding the historic Lewis & Clark Expedition of 1803-1806;

WHEREAS: The organization strives to educate all people who visit the Boat House and Museum on the challenges faced by the Corps of Discovery, their recordings of new floral and fauna, their encounters with the many indigenous people, and the story of the organization’s Bicentennial re-enactment.

WHEREAS: The Museum is a proud and active partner with the City of St. Charles, the County of St. Charles, our Chamber of Commerce and many festivals and civic organizations.

Visitors to the anniversary celebration learned, from top left, about the life of the Voyageur, firestarting, the skills of Newfoundlands, the travails of author Amanda Hoenes, who canoed from Three Forks to the Gulf of Mexico and from Sue Schneider who spoke at the Anniversary Dinner about the beginnings of the Lewis & Clark Boat House and Museum.

As part of our commitment to enhanced history education, we have added interpretation experiences to our tours on some days. This month, Christian Brungart, a graduate student of history at the University of Missouri - St. Louis (at right) and Leah Webb, an English/Archaeology student at Grinnell College (shown below), have begun offering visitors descriptions of objects and skills that would have been critical in the era of Lewis & Clark.

By offering guests the experience of handling items like beaver pelts or military hats, we hope to instill enthusiasm and further interest in the era of Lewis & Clark in particular and the study of American history in general. The work of Christian and Leah is funded by the Americana Corner, Preserving America Grant Program.

Travelers' Rest, the stopping point of Lewis & Clark, was the destination for 170 Lewis & Clark enthusiasts June 27-30 for the Annual Meeting of the Lewis & Clark Trail Heritage Foundation. Representing DESC at the meeting, Executive Director Bob Foster said, "It was a great opportunity to meet historians, National Park Service staff and researchers alongside the trail in Montana." Among the many presentations, Sadie Peone-Stops, Director of the Séliš-Ql̓ispé Culture Committee, at left, discussed the ways Salish culture and traditions are practiced, and the richness of Salish life before and after the Lewis & Clark Expedition.

When competitors in the world's longest nonstop single-river race finally set down their paddles after 340 miles, you want to be there cheering and bringing them refreshments. We're looking for volunteers to prepare the Boat House for finish line festivities, staff concessions, offer logistical support to the race organizers and help with restoring the museum to pre-race status. Contact Nancy Jackson or Bob Foster at 636-947-3199!

The race begins August 1 at Kaw Point on the Missouri River by Kansas City. Competitors have until sundown August 4 to get to the Boat House aboard their canoe, kayak, paddleboard, dragon boat or other non-powered watercraft. The event is a fundraiser for the important work of both Missouri River Relief and for the Lewis & Clark Boat House and Museum.

Mimi Jackson describes and shares historical items with a group of children and their grandparents as part of the Road Scholars program. The museum is proud to partner with Road Scholar and offer custom programming to audiences of all ages. Learn more here: Educational Travel & Learning Adventures | Road Scholar

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!

This is such a great event and I would like to keep the door open for us in future years. Be thinking about this and if you would like to be one of the members contact me through the boat house or directly. The event is September 22-24. I know it is early but wanted to get it on your calendar. I already have a couple of members committed. While I’m only asking for 4 to 6 members we will be happy to have more and that way if you only can come for a day we will have enough to man the camp throughout the event. Don’t let my request for a small number of men stop you from attending.

You can contact me at tly361@gmail.com or at 573-253-0319.

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.