Festivals to celebrate bicentennial of Lewis and Clark expedition
PITTSBURGH – As the nation celebrates the bicentennial of the famed Lewis and Clark expedition, Pittsburgh’s role as the journey’s preparation site will be commemorated this year with a number of exhibits, festivals and an historic re-enactments that will pass through Fayette County. Officials from throughout the region gathered at the Sen. John Heinz Pittsburgh Regional History Center in the city’s Strip District on Thursday to announce plans for the region’s celebration of the bicentennial.
“A lot of people in this country don’t appreciate the significance of Pittsburgh’s role in the Lewis and Clark expedition,’ said Andy Masich of the history center. “Over the next six months, you’ll be hearing a lot about Lewis and Clark and the Corps of Discovery.’
Masich even noted that Capt. Merriwether Lewis had asked Lt. Moses Hooke of Pittsburgh to fill in as co-captain, should Captain William Clark not be available. But, at the last minute, Lewis received a message from Clark that he could make the trip.
The bicentennial celebration will include a number of events that take place in Pittsburgh, including the Aug. 31 re-enactment of the expedition’s launch on the Ohio River. But prior to that, re-enactor Scott Mandrell of the Lewis and Clark Center in St. Charles, Mo., will travel through Fayette County along the National Road as he portrays Lewis and his journey to Pittsburgh from Monticello, President Thomas Jefferson’s home in Virginia.
Major Edward Mead, Susan Kline and Mike Cummings of the U.S. Army Corps in Pittsburgh said Mandrell is expected to leave Monticello on horseback July 5. Kline told the Herald-Standard that Mandrell, who will be accompanied by a support staff, will arrive at Fort Necessity National Battlefield sometime between July 12-15.
“He plans on camping at Fort Necessity and doing an interpretative program. He’ll go back and forth between Fort Necessity and the Youghiogheny Lake,’ Kline said.
Brian Reedy of Fort Necessity National Battlefield on Thursday afternoon confirmed Mandrell’s appearance in Farmington.
“Fort Necessity will be involved because Meriwether Lewis used Braddock Road when he traveled to Pittsburgh,’ said Reedy.
Reedy said Mandrell will use the National Road because he’s not able to travel safely on the original Braddock’s Road.
Officials expect a good turnout for the re-enactments.
“I’ve been told Monticello event that occurred this past weekend had a big kick-off regardless of the bad weather. This was the weekend that Jefferson asked for Congress for appropriations for the expedition,’ Reedy said.
Reedy said July 5-12 Corps of Discovery II, the national traveling exhibit, will be at Friendship Hill National Historic Site in Springhill Township. This is because Albert Gallatin served as Secretary of the Treasury under Jefferson. He arranged the finances for the journey and helped with the planning.
Kline said that Mandrell will also pass through Brownsville on his way to Pittsburgh.
History center officials said that Lewis arrived in Pittsburgh with instructions from Jefferson to supervise keelboat construction, planning and recruitment for the expedition. The Corps of Discovery launched its journey on the Ohio River on Aug. 31, 1803.
Highlights of the bicentennial celebration locally include:
– Rediscovering Lewis & Clark and & Journey with the Rooney Family: Steelers’ President Dan Rooney and his family will recreate the journey with the Rooney Corps of Rediscovery trip and send exhibits back to the history center for a show that begins July 15.
– The Aug. 31 re-enactment will include the world’s largest paddling event, sponsored by the Saltsburg River & Trail Co.
– “On the Trail with Lewis & Clark’ will show what America was like in 1803 and how it has changed. This show open in July at the Carnegie Museum of Natural History.
– The Carnegie Science Center will offer the National Geographic’s “Lewis and Clark: The Great Journey West’ at the Omnimax. They will also present a Bulh Plantarium show “Navigating with Lewis & Clark.’ Both shows are available June through December.
Phipps Conservatory will transform its Serpentine Room into a Lewis & Clark experience.
For more information, check the local Website http://lewisandclarkpghhistory.org