539 - Lewis and Clark
Interpretive Center

Welcome to the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center. One of the major themes of our museum centers around Thomas Jefferson and the Enlightenment. Jefferson was immensely inquisitive and had a thirst for knowledge. Because of this, he aimed to send an expedition out west to explore and interact with the inhabitants, flora, fauna, weather, and geography. A letter from Jefferson to Meriwether Lewis captures that theme as he sets out the goal of the expedition, saying, “The object of your mission is to explore the Missouri River, & such principle stream of it, as, by its course and communication with the water of the Pacific Ocean may offer the most direct and practicable water communication across this continent, for the purposes of commerce.”

Jefferson believed to make commerce successful, that accurate information about Indians was essential in order to shape a peaceful environment for both peoples. His optimism proved to be based more on Enlightenment faith than American reality. But his instructions to make a lasting contribution toward the scientific understanding of North America were clearly received by his young secretary, Merriwether Lewis. The Corps of Discovery embarked on their journey “to gather material for another empire--the empire of the mind, the kingdom of knowledge.”

This journey would inspire others to follow suit, including ethnologist Prince Maximilian and artist Karl Bodmer—who are both featured within the museum. The expedition also proved successful in paving way for industry to blossom, especially fur trade, which is also featured here at the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center.