On December 12, 1803, Captain William Clark wrote, “opposit the Missouries I came to in the mouth of a little River called Wood River, about 2 oClock ...” The next day he and his men would begin setting up their winter encampment at this site for the winter of 1803-1804.
Located at the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, just several miles south of the current mouth of the Wood River (River Dubois) is Camp River Dubois. This facility, operated by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, is designated as Site #1 on the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail and features the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center and a replica of the 1803-04 winter encampment. Every year in early May visitors are able to relive the departure of the Lewis and Clark Expedition as reenactors set up at the site to recreate the preparations for that historic journey. On the grounds are craft exhibitors demonstrating early American skills such as woodworking and candle making and there will be recreations of marching drills, cooking and shooting demonstrations.
The Interpretive Center is one of six major historical Lewis & Clark sites in southwestern Illinois. This 15,000 square foot brick and cedar building tells the story of how the Corps of Discovery assembled equipment, supplies and men at Camp River Dubois. There are five public areas that make up the Interpretive Center including four galleries, a theater, and the gift shop. The centerpiece of the Interpretive Center – the “Cutaway Keelboat.” This 55 foot long replica of the keelboat (top left photo) Lewis had built in Elizabethtown, Ohio has been cut in half revealing how it was filled with “Tools of every Description &c &c.”
Times: 10 am - 4 pm
Free
For more information call 618-251-5811
or visit the venue's website
