Call Us At: 636-947-3199
Touch the Trail, learn in Braille
Thanks to our friends at the National Park Service, the Boat House has a tactile map that lets people with low or no vision follow the trail with their fingertips. Braille information adds to the resource. We are excited to have the new feature, and look forward to sharing with a class from Missouri School for the Blind next month.
Awesome "silent" auction items worth hollering about
With the DESC Holiday party less than a month away (see details below), we wanted to preview some of the beautiful items up for bid. At right is a Charles Fritz print called "Mapping the Missouri" donated by Anna Laughlin. Below are two prints donated by Jerry Garrett, one depicting Indians on the prairie, the other a framed map of the expedition's route presented by the National Imagery and Mapping Agency. There's still time to make a donation of goods or services (send a note to Director@lewisandclarkboathouse) and look for dozens of other drool-worthy items available on Dec. 11.
Our video series gets TV coverage;
preview of the series premieres
We were delighted to have Randy Schwentker, of St. Louis NBC-affillate KSDK, join us for a film shoot at Sioux Passage Park last month. His coverage helps show why our work to keep the legacy of Lewis and Clark alive is so important and lets people know about the forthcoming series of short educational videos about the Expedition. Speaking of our films...check out the new "trailer" for the series below!
Explorers' Club Plants Flag at the Boat House
Highlighting the spirit of exploration, past, present and future, the Boat House hosted the St. Louis Chapter of the Explorers' Club last month. Education Director Bill Brecht led the program for about 30 well-traveled club members, including Clark descendant Lotsie Holton and Tom and Ulrike Schlafly, owners of the brewpubs, including Bankside, that bear their name.

You can learn more about the Club and the event at the Boat House, in the coverage published on the front page of St Charles County Community News.
Holidays are almost here!

Christmas in St. Charles, Dec. 10-11
In just a month, we will have our annual DESC Christmas Dinner dance in St. Charles. The date is Dec. 11. 

Before you get busy with your Thanksgiving plans be sure to take a minute and make your reservations by mailing a check to Brigitte Bowers, 13635 Amiot Drive, St. Louis, Mo. 63146. Please make your check out to DESC. The cost per person is $37.50 which includes dinner, beer and wine. Bar drinks will be available for purchase. 


The event will be held at the All Occasion Banquet Center, 111 Compass Drive, St. Charles, Mo. The location is about 6 miles west of the Boat House. 

Planned is our usual receiving line and cocktails starting at 6 PM. Dinner will be served at 7 PM. We will be entertained by the Booneslick Strings, with dancing after dinner. The Hampton Inn is directly in front of the venue. We have arranged for rooms at the cost of $95.00 per room. We will have a direct link for members to sign up to be in our block at that rate and one of the taxes will be set aside also. Contact Brigitte for the link!

On Friday night, Dec. 10 we will have our hospitality evening starting at 5:00 PM at the Boat House. Chili and drinks will be provided. If you care to bring your favorite snack please do so. We hope to be able to show our completed film series, as many of you have only seen bits and pieces. We plan to have a membership meeting on Saturday morning, place to be determined. The meeting should be over by noon. 

Afterward you will be able to enjoy Christmas in St. Charles, go shopping, visit with friends or take a nap – until we meet again at the dinner dance that evening. In the meantime we need your “yes” to attend the festivities and your check to hold your reservations.  

We plan to hold a silent auction as we have done in the past. Items may be donated or consigned for a 20% fee to DESC. Payments will be made at close of the auction for consigned items. If you have any questions please e-mail brigitteandnorm@gmail.com or call 314 304 7877. We are looking forward to a great time! If you have items to contribute to the auction (goods, services or experiences), send a note to Director@lewisandclarkboathouse.org

New this year: We want to record your memories of the 2003-06 expedition. Watch for details!

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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.
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. We've just completed the 2020 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
November 19, 18045 – "I arose early this morning from under a wet blanket caused by a Shower of rain which fell in the latter part of the last night and Sent two men on a head with directions to proceed on near the Sea Coast and Kill Something for brackfast." - William Clark)