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Kittens
don't usually
travel in packs,
but these little visitors to the museum sure did
K ittens need cultural opportunities: it’s a known fact. We promote the museum as dog-friendly but people, find your feline and make a beeline to the museum!
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Registration deadline for Boat House Birthday
Evening ends tomorrow, June 15
Highlighting the day-long celebration of the Boat House's 20th birthday is a buffet dinner in the museum. You'll be among the first to see our new classroom space and enjoy dinner, dessert and live Cajun/Creole music by the Dennis Stroughmatt Trio. The doors open at 6:30 and music starts at 7:00.
Dinner features Baked Chicken in Parsley Butter and Herb Encrusted Pork Loin, accompanied with Creamy Scalloped Potatoes and Parsley Butter New Potatoes, Smoked Gouda Mac & Cheese, Green Beans Almondine and Corn O’Brien with Italian Lettuce Salad and Tossed Garden Salad.
The celebration will include museum tours, dessert reception, beer and wine and some surprises! Casual dress or historical attire is welcomed!
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For more about our celebration, read on:
LEWIS & CLARK BOATHOUSE & MUSEUM CELEBRATES
20 YEARS IN HISTORIC SAINT CHARLES WITH JULY 1 FESTIVITIES
SAINT CHARLES, MO – For 20 years, the Lewis & Clark Boat House and Museum has shared the history of the famed expedition in the spot where the explorers camped in May 1804.
On July 1, the public is invited to join a celebration marking 20 years since the dedication.
From 11 am to 4 p.m., visitors will see the full-size replica Keelboat – a faithful reproduction of the flagship of Lewis & Clark – with its mast raised and crew of re-enactors. Museum guests will be treated to a full day of events including:
- Taking part in demonstrations of traditional skills such as fire-starting and rope-making
- Meeting and greeting Captain, a Newfoundland dog, similar to Lewis’ companion from 1804-1806.
- Listening to the Lewis & Clark Fife and Drum Corps herald cannon firings at 2 p.m. and 3 p.m. and performing at 2:00 p.m.
- Hearing author Amanda Hoenes tell the story of traveling in a canoe, solo, from Three Forks, MT to the Gulf of Mexico (3 p.m.)
- Enjoying food and drink from TreauX Cajun BBQ and Scoops of Joy Food Trucks starting at noon.
In the evening, the museum opens its doors at 6:30 to dining and live music in the museum with the Dennis Stroughmatt Trio, who play traditional Creole tunes. Learn more and get tickets here: https://BoathouseBirthday.eventbrite.com
“We’re proud to be 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,” said Executive Director Bob Foster.
“This milestone year we’ve expanding our education space, opened up for social events, and seeing exceptional growth in visitors and interest.”
Originally a museum and nature center housed on Main Street, 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. The Discovery Expedition of St. Charles, a crew of re-enactors and historians, is headquartered in the location.
Current projects of the organization include 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.
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Two looks at the museum as we celebrate 20 years: At left, the recent view of the Lotsie & Rick Holton Education Center as construction continues. At right, the place settings for Nicole & Zach's rehearsal dinner June 9, as catered by Novellus.
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Rolling on the River:
Watch a Bird's Eye View
of the Keelboat on a Shakedown Cruise
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Thanks to the diligent attentions of a dedicated cadre, the Keelboat took to the Mississippi River May 20 for a shakedown cruise of staff and equipment. Check out our aerial view of the trip! |
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Other events
August 18-20 Festival of the Little Hills, St. Charles
October 21-22 Fort Massac Encampment, Metropolis, IL
December 2-3 Holiday Celebration, St. Charles
At left, with April and May, we celebrated the return of school groups, with at least one class per day!
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Renew your membership dues now!
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!
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Re-enactors wanted:
Walk Back in Time in Mexico, MO Sept 22-24.
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Dear DESC members,
Several of you attended the Mexico Missouri Walk Back in Time event in 2021. In discussions with the planners they don’t feel that they will be able to raise the funds to have the boats back for this year's event. This is one of the three events that I felt was worth keeping (along with Festival of the Little Hills in St. Charles and Fort Massac in Metropolis, IL). I’m afraid that if we don’t keep the door open we won’t be invited back.
Initially the Cadre elected not to attend this event due to the lack of funding. After relaying this decision to the WBIT planners they were very disappointed. They asked if we could show up with a small contingent of men and a small camp. After meeting with the Cadre and informing them that the planners could provide a $1,000 stipend, it was approved that I could offer a small camp.
My thoughts are a group of 4-6 Corps members and a small camp consisting of 3 or 4 tents. I think this would be an opportunity to do a lean and mean camp that may serve us well going forward if there is a lack of manpower. If any of the volunteers could bring their own camp setup that would be great. No kitchen tent or food. There are food vendors of all kinds on site, a inexpensive fish fry on Friday night, plus they put on a reenactors dinner on Saturday night that is free. We will not have to attend on Friday which is the school kids day but we can set up camp on Friday afternoon.
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.
For the good of the Corps, Tom Young -- Pvt. Patrick Gass
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Attention reenactors
Hawken Rifle event in St. Charles County
looking for volunteers
The second event is the Hawken Classic Rendezvous which is August 25-27th. This event is building up to the commemoration of the bicentennial of the Hawken Brothers opening their shop in St. Louis. They talk a lot about Missouri River Fur Trade and exploration during the event and there are some good tie-ins with the Corps of Discovery.
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Annual Report to the Community
We welcomed 23,500 museum visitors last year, but our impact on the community is so much greater. We’re at the center of community celebrations, such as the Festival of the Little Hills and Fort Massac Encampment, the finish line for hundreds of paddlers in the MR-340, a regular partner with the St. Charles Convention and Visitors Bureau and destination for school groups, senior centers, and tour groups.
To learn about all we do, and plan to do, check out our
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You can also mail a tax-deductible contribution to:
Discovery Expedition of St. Charles, 1050 S. Riverside Drive, Saint Charles, MO 63301.
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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 March 1, 2023. TO ACCESS AND DOWNLOAD THE VIDEOS, CLICK HERE.
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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.
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Thanks to our friends and supporters!
Despite our challenges, we close out a very successful 2022 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
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
Ms. Connie Tesson
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.
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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.
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Information about your Corps
Guidestar Listing We have Silver Certification from Guidestar, a trusted directory of all U.S. nonprofits (free log-in may be required)
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Interested in Qualified Charitable Distributions? We can help! |
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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.
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
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Corp of Discovery from the Journals
June 23, 1805 – "The men has to haul with all their Strength wate & art, maney times every man (an) all catching the grass & knobes & Stones with their hands to give them more force in drawing on the Canoes & Loads, and notwithstanding the Coolness of the air in high presperation and every halt, those not employed in reparing the Couse; are asleep in a moment, maney limping from the Soreness of their feet Some become fant for a fiew moments, but no man Complains --all go Chearfully on." (Clark)
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Bishop's Landing
1050 S. Riverside Drive
St. Charles, MO 63301
Phone: 636-947-3199
Text KEELBOAT to 44-321 to donate
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