Call Us At: 636-947-3199
The Boat House as seen from a House Boat
It's always a delight when Roger and Barbara Giles stop by on their beautiful sternwheel paddleboat. The Joseph Labarge moored here April 16 and staff had the opportunity to tour the historic and awesome river craft. With the advent of spring, we see the Missouri River come alive with all kinds of watercraft, from working barges, to jet skis, to people's homes.
School Groups return!
Nearly every day in April and May, we are delighted to host school groups, signaling a return to pre-COVID activities and filling the museum with the sounds of learning and exploration. Among the groups are high-school students from France, a group of almost 100 fourth-graders from Hagemann Elementary, home-school organizations and many schools from all over the region. A huge thank you to our education staff, Bill, Mimi, Jan, Jaye and Susan for making the museum a wonderful place for young minds!
Handcrafted history
Thanks to a loan from the Sifford Family of West Branson, MO, the Boat House is delighted to house this remarkably well-preserved dugout canoe. Carbon-dated to approximately 1800, the craft is a testament to the craft of early Americans and the remarkable durability of Osage Orange wood. The display shows the type of craft plying the streams of the Ozarks about the time of Lewis & Clark's expedition. Look for details of the upcoming reception honoring the display in July!
Wedding Bells
Ashla and Adam were looking for a memorable day for their wedding. We were delighted they chose the Boat House and had a great time being a part of their special day. Looking for an historic spot for your special occasion? Give us a holler! We've made changes such as a private dressing room with makeup mirror, activities for kids and, of course, private event space overlooking the river and customizable activities.
Make giving part of your plan!
The Discovery Expedition of St. Charles is proud to join the Community Foundation and hundreds of area nonprofits to celebrate our community. On May 5, please help support our mission by donating through GiveSTLDay.org. You help raise visibility of our organization and make a meaningful contribution to our ongoing work. Learn more at www.givestlday.org/LCBoathouseandMuseum
Coming events

May 20-22: May Muster in St. Charles, volunteers needed! Contact Brigitte Bowers to sign up: brigitteandnorm@gmail.com and 314 304-7877.

May 27-29: New Haven cancelled due historic preservation project on the landing
June 24-26: Film series shooting, Mark Twain Lake
July 20 or 27: Reception honoring historic dugout canoe
August 19-21: Festival of the Little Hills, St. Charles
September 11: Book reading, David and Marti Peck, Authors "So Hard to Die"
September 23-25 Film series shooting, Daniel Boone Home, St. Charles County
December 3: Christmas Party
Make a stampede to the Stamping Station
Thanks to our friends at the National Park Service for sending a stamping station desk pad and other resources our way. The National Park Passport is very popular at the Boat House and we love to help travelers show they've been here. Our gift shop features a wide selection of NPS merchandise, including the passport book and we discount admission for anyone who holds the America the Beautiful pass.                                    
Planning your summer reading list?
We have some outstanding titles in stock!
Do you have a particular, specific interest in the Lewis & Clark Expedition? Chances are, we already have it, or can get the title for you! Check out our selection of more than 150 titles related to the expedition! Do you have a particular, specific interest in the Lewis & Clark Expedition?

Chances are, we already have it, or can get the title for you! Check out our selection of more than 150 titles related to the expedition! We have titles from Adventures Across America: On and Off the Trail Of Lewis & Clark to You Wouldn't Want to Travel with Lewis & Clark. Our selection includes 55 books geared to young readers.
Reenacting Opportunity
The Rotary is hosting an Early Settler/War of 1812 Re-enacting event May 14-15 at Beall Woods State Park near Mt. Carmel, IL Set up Thurs or Friday.  Vendor opportunities are available and fiddler Dennis Stroughmatt (he played Cruzat during the Bicentennial) will play Creole music Saturday afternoon. For more information, contact Patrick Haskell at patrickhaskell68@yahoo.com or 618 384 8341
Thanks to our friends and supporters in 2021!
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. 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
Friends of Sue Schneider
Mr. Mark McKenzie
Paric Construction

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
Mr. Tom Young

In Honor of
Donations in Memory of Jay Coble
Donation in Honor of Gene Glandt
Donations in Honor of the Wedding of Lynette Trotter and Gaylen Medders
Donation in Honor of Gene Olson
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. 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
May 2, 1805 – "At day break it began to snow; and the wind continued so high, we could not proceed until the afternoon. While we lay here our hunters went out and killed some buffaloe and deer. They found some red cloth at an old Indian camp, which we supposed had been offered and left as a sacrifice; the Indians having some knowledge of a supreme being and this their mode of worship. The snow did not fall more than an inch deep. At four we set out, went six miles, and encamped on the North side. --Patrick Gass