Volume 12, Issue 3 September 2011 Newsletter Worthy of Notice

WASHINGTON STATE CHA PTER, LCTHF

Chapter Fall Meeting and 2 0 1 1 D U E S : Field trip - S e p t . 2 4 - 25 S T I L L O N L Y $ 1 5 . 0 0 ! The Fall meeting of the There is a great deal of Following the meeting, Chapter of business to discuss. attendees will have the Just a reminder to send in your 2011 the LCTHF will coincide The location of the opportunity to explore dues. If your mail- with the annual Saca- meeting will be in the Heritage Days displays ing or email address jawea Heritage Days vicinity of the Interpre- and activities (more de- has changed, please fill out the form on event at Sacajawea State tive Center and the tails about the event are page 7 and mail it Park in Pasco, on page 6). along with your WA. There will check. Your mem- also be two field Sunday morning bership helps sup- port the activities of trips to nearby we will meet at the Washington Lewis and Clark 9:00 A.M., at the Chapter throughout sites during the historic marker the year. weekend. turnout near the Wallula town Saturday morn- site, at Mile INSIDE THIS ing, we will meet ISSUE: marker 305.6 on at the Post Office National Flag of the Corps of Discovery Hwy 12 . This will on 3rd Ave. in Ply- President’s Message 2 Maya Lin Story Circles; give us a great view of mouth, WA at 10:00 look for our 15-star, 15 and we Columbia REA to maintain A.M. for a hike to the 3 stripe flag. can discuss the area fea- Patit Creek April 26, 1806 campsite tures. From there it is a near present-day Ply- Barb and Rennie Kubik Lewis and Clark Rifle? 4 short drive to a ½ mile mouth, where Capt. will provide light re- hike, with 400 feet in Clark described a young freshments for the meet- elevation gain, up the Fort Mandan closed 5 Walla Walla boy and his ing. They request that northern side of Wallula fishing techniques. attendees will please Gap, with a great view Heritage Days 6 RSVP to Barb to the south and west. The Chapter meeting [[email protected]] no NPS volunteers needed 7 will be at 1:00 P.M. on later than September Heritage Days will also Saturday, at Sacajawea 19th, so that they may continue on Sunday. Dates to Remember 8 State Park in Pasco. plan accordingly. P a g e 2 Worthy of Notice President’s Message By Barb Kubik

Dear Chapter Members,

Let me begin this column with a ―thank you‖—a thank you to all of you who voted for me, electing me to the Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation’s Board of Directors. The Foundation is facing chal- lenging times, and I am honored so many of you believe I can help move the organization forward into this, our third century!

For 40+ years, the Board of Directors of the Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation has held the best interests of the Foundation in their hearts, and I believe they continue to do so. In those forty years, the board has faced many challenging situations, and in the end, they have tried to make the best decision they could at that time, to move the Foundation forward in the direction the organization needed to go. To do that, the board:

- considered all the information before them - asked hard and thoughtful questions - listened respectfully to differing opinions and ideas - and carefully weighed the financial obligations associated with an issue.

I know each of you can think of some of those decisions:

- the first issue of We Proceeded On in the winter of 1974-1975 - the hiring of our first executive director, Jay Vogt of Pierre, South Dakota - the creation of our office in Great Falls, and our partnership with the Forest Service to do that - our partnership with the National Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Council, and the Council’s affiliates - the grants we gave to Dayton Duncan and Ken Burns for their PBS masterpiece, and to Ron Craig for his outstanding 30-minute OPB show about York - the subventions we provided the University of Nebraska Press to reprint Dr. Gary Moulton’s Volume I—The Atlas, to the Colorado Associated University Press to reprint Bob Betts’ In Search of York

Each decision was a new one for the Foundation; some were certainly risky, and others were definitely challenging. But—each one helped the Foundation grow in membership and national prominence, and reaffirmed our commitment as ―stewards of the trail and keepers of the story.‖ Each step of the way, Foundation members, scholars, and trail aficionados from the State of Washington have helped lead the way:

- The Blue Mountain Chapter [southeast Washington and northeast Oregon] was one of the Foundation’s earliest chapters. - The Foundation’s first woman president was Hazel Bain from Longview, WA. - Numerous Washington residents have served the Foundation well—as officers and board members, committee chairs, and staff. - At one time, there were three Washington State Parks-owned and operated interpretive centers telling the story of the Corps of Discovery, and that of the tribes who welcomed the Corps into their homelands. Today, from Clarkston to Long Beach, there are 75+ interpretive markers and kiosks, and numerous state -, local-, and tribal-owned interpretive centers telling that story. Volume 12, Issue 3 P a g e 3

President’s Message (Continued)

- With the help of chapter members, the Governor’s [Washington State] Lewis and Clark Trail Commit- tee has hosted four annual meetings!

I would encourage each of you to continue to offer your support. Make sure your own membership in the chapter and the Foundation is up-to-date. Make a donation to the Foundation to help support your favorite program — Camp Pomp, We Proceeded On, the staff and the office, the archives and the li- brary. Share We Proceeded On and membership brochures with your local historical society, your friends, your library, and with museums and cultural centers in your area. Consider purchasing a gift membership.

Now, more than ever, we need to continue that work, and I would ask each of you to join me in helping the Board of Directors and our staff make those same kinds of decisions in that same careful way today.

Proceeding on, Barb

Columbia REA Provides Maintenance for Patit Creek Campsite

The Columbia Rural Electric members of the Corps, as well scures the iron silhouettes! The Association has volunteered to as Indian visitors, horses, tents efforts of the Columbia REA provide routine maintenance of and other objects, representing will mitigate that problem, and the Patit Creek Campsite near how the camp might have keep the "iron men" of Patit Dayton, WA. looked. Creek fully visible.

The site, just east of Dayton, is The maintenance of the site has The Washington Chapter where the Corps of Discovery been a concern for the Wash- wishes to express a heartfelt camped on May 2, 1806. It is ington Chapter. If the grass is thanks to the Columbia REA for now the home of 78 life-size not cut regularly, it tends to helping to preserve the trail in iron silhouettes depicting all the grow to a height where it ob- Washington State.

Current Officers

President: Barb Kubik Vice President: Steve Wang Secretary: Robert Heacock Treasurer: Nick Giovanni Patit Creek Campsite

P a g e 4 Worthy of Notice

A Lewis and Clark Rifle? A Member of the Travelers' Rest Chapter Finds a Piece of History

A June 30 article by Kim Lewis had obtained 15 of were destroyed during the Briggeman in the Missoulian what he described as "short Civil War, and the debate newspaper reports how rifles" from the Harpers Ferry over what kind of rifles were George Knapp, a longtime arsenal in 1803. For many carried by the Corps contin- member of the Travelers' Rest years, it was widely believed ues. Chapter of the Lewis and that those rifles were the Clark Heritage Foundation, Model 1803. In recent years, George had the rifle exam- acquired an original Harpers however, research has re- ined by experts on antique Ferry Model 1803 rifle that vealed that the Model 1803 firearms, who confirmed that he believes might is an authentic early just have been Harpers Ferry rifle. carried west by It has been ap- the Lewis and praised at $25,000 Clark Expedition. for insurance pur- poses. In 2008 George purchased an Harpers Ferry Model 1803 Rifle old gun at auction for $2,500. Travelers' Rest State Park, It was a Harpers Ferry Model did not go into production near Lolo, MT., opened a new 1803, but it was in rough con- until after Lewis had gone exhibit on July 1st featuring dition. It had also been west with all of the arms and George Knapp's Harpers greatly modified over its ser- equipment that he acquired at Ferry Model 1803 rifle. vice life, converted from a Harpers Ferry. Therefore, flintlock to a percussion (cap) Lewis may have ordered 15 "It adds to the authenticity of lock, and bored out to a larger of the 1792 contract rifles al- the place quite a bit, which is caliber. But George was only ready on hand at the arsenal, something we strive for," said looking for "an old clunker" which were then shortened Loren Flynn, manager of to use in Lewis and Clark re- and otherwise modified to his Travelers' Rest State Park. enactments as a member of specifications. The debate "To have something that sig- the Travelers' Rest Brigade. continues, however, as some nificant here is a real good George was aware that the still advocate that the 15 addition and a nice attraction. first 4,000 Harpers Ferry ri- Lewis guns could have been We can't make any claims fles had serial numbers. prototypes for the Model that it was with Lewis and When he cleaned up the rusty 1803. Clark, but we can tell that gun, he found the serial num- story." ber: 12. It was then that he Could George Knapp's rifle wondered if he had found be no. 12 out of the first 15 We may never know if what he called "the Holy Model 1803 rifles made at George Knapp's Harpers Grail of rifles." The rifle had Harpers Ferry? Could it be Ferry rifle might have also been drilled for sling one of the rifles used by the brought down a grizzly bear swivels - unusual for that Corps of Discovery? Unfor- in the hands of John Shields type, but a modification spe- tunately, it may be impossible or one of the Fields brothers, cifically listed by Meriwether to verify. The early records but it is certainly a fascinating of the Harpers Ferry arsenal Lewis. piece of history. J.O.

Volume 12, Issue 3 P a g e 5

Jennifer Kilmer to Succeed David Nicandri at Washington State Historical Society

The Washington State Chapter David Nicandri, to continue the and in his future endeavors. It would like to offer its congratu- chapter's work as "stewards of has been a pleasure to work lations to Jennifer Kilmer upon the trail" and "keepers of the with David on so many projects her selection as the Washington story" throughout the state of to protect and interpret the State Historical Society's new Washington. Lewis and Clark National His- executive director. The chapter toric Trail through the state of looks forward to working with The chapter also wishes David Washington. Ms. Kilmer, as they did with Nicandri well in his retirement, Fort Mandan Closed by Flooding

From fortmandan.com The facilities are safe, for now, ble exhibits to see and great in- but the historic site has lost the terpretive programs to take in, Fort Mandan and the Headwa- year at Fort Mandan, hitting including the rare view of Sea- ters Fort Mandan Visitor Center summer revenues hard. It is man's statue reunited with his are closed indefinitely due to uncertain how soon the Fort master, Captain Lewis! flooding. will re-open next year, with floodwaters expected to remain The Fort Mandan Foundation is Record breaking snow and rain- in place through August. Fort now asking for contributions to falls coupled with mountain Mandan was about to launch the help it through a very difficult snow melt in Montana have re- public phase of a $6 million period. Please consider a gift at sulted in major flooding along capital campaign, and this ca- this time, in whatever amount the Missouri River. The flood- tastrophe could not have come you care to give. ing forced the closure of Fort at a worse time. Mandan and its visitor center as The North Dakota Lewis & Clark In- well as cancelling all summer Luckily the Lewis & Clark In- terpretive Center PO Box 607 events. Staff members and terpretive Center is on higher Washburn, ND 58577-0607 many volunteers worked end- ground and is not in danger of Phone: (701) 462-8535 less hours sandbagging and flooding. Although it is under Fax: (701) 462-3316 building a dike to protect the construction, it still has incredi- Toll-free (877) 462-8535 Headwaters Fort Mandan Visi- Email: [email protected] tor Center and reconstructed Chapter Name Badges Fort Mandan. The flood also resulted in the evacuation of the Members of the Washington Chapter 2) Mail checks to: 6 foot plus metal sculpture of can still order name badges. The Tim Underwood Captain Lewis' Newfoundland badges are of the same design as the 128 Galaxie Rd dog, Seaman. The rising waters Chapter logo. The price for one Chehalis, WA 98532 have badly damaged the walk- name badge is $12.50; the price for 3) Print your name the way you ing trails and areas of Fahlgren two or more is $10.50. Park. At this point in time there want it to appear on your name is no clear time line of when the To order, please do the following: badge waters will recede so clean up 1) Make checks payable to 4) Specify whether you want a pin can begin. Awards West - PrintWares, back or magnetic back. Inc P a g e 6 Worthy of Notice Traveling the Washington Trail & Sacajawea Heritage Days

"towards evening we arived at the forks of the river which came from a northly direction and is larger than this Columa. R. the country around these forks is level Smooth barron plains not even a tree to be Seen as far as our eyes could extend a fiew willows along the Shores. we found about 2 hundred or upwards Camped on the point between the two Rivers. a verry pleasant place. we Camped near them on the point. the natives Sold us eight dogs and Some fresh Sammon. the whole band came in a body Singing in their form to our fires and Smoaked with us and appeared friendly." - Joseph Whitehouse - October 16, 1805

The place where the Corps of Heritage Days runs for three is located on a plain of the Discovery landed that day is days, Friday through Sunday. great floods now the home of Sacajawea Friday's focus will be on pro- which swept through the area State Park, named in honor of viding interactive displays for 12,000 years ago. It features the famous Lemhi Shoshone the local schools. Saturday 9,100 feet of freshwater shore- woman. The park is located and Sunday will focus more line with the park's lands be- five miles southeast of Pasco, on the general public. ing sand dunes interspersed WA, at the confluence of the with wetland ponds. The prop- Columbia and Snake Rivers. On Saturday night there is a erty was deeded to Washing- Campfire Program. The peo- ton State Parks in 1931. Sacajawea State Park will host ple who are encamped at the the 2011 Sacajawea Heritage park join with visitors around A recent addition to the park Days on September 23 – 25. the bonfire to play music, is artwork by Maya Lin: seven This event is free to the pub- sing, tell stories, and just have ―story circles‖ which tell the lic, so the $10 access fee will tales of the people, the be waived. This is a living place and the connection history event, its purpose is to between them. educate through re-enactment. The event will display the The park has an Interpre- lives and skills of early tive Center, many outdoor American explorers, the Na- self-guided interpretive tive American cultures they displays and framework found along the way, and the representations of Native lives of the early settlers. American dwellings. Guided tours by a park in- There are Lewis & Clark re- terpretive specialist are Wanapum Village recreated at Saca- enactors, members of the jawea State Park also available. Call the park Umatilla and Yakama Na- for times and dates (509) 545- tions, as well as the a good time. The campfire 2361. Wanapums. You may also program starts at around 7:00 interact with mountain man PM, and is open to the public. Information in this article has encampments, local museum been excerpted and adapted exhibits, and people who en- Sacajawea State Park is a 284- from the websites of Washing- joy sharing their skills and acre marine, day-use park lo- ton State Parks and the Mid- knowledge about what life cated in Pasco, Washington, Columbia Traditional Arts was like nearly two centuries where the merges and Music Association. ago. with the Columbia. The park

Volume 12, Issue 3 P a g e 7

National Park Service Needs Volunteers for Study

The is and assessing views in one of For more information or to field-testing a visual quality three areas along the Colum- express interest, contact Suz- assessment process developed bia River. anne Gucciardo at the Omaha by staff of the Lewis and Headquarters of the L&C Na- Clark National Historic Trail. Specific Lewis & Clark tional Historic Trail: NPS wants to test the process knowledge is not required at in the Pacific Cascades before all--in fact, this test is NOT L. Suzanne Gucciardo applying this process along focused on L&C sites. Natural Resource Specialist the entire Trail. Rather, the teams will be test- Lewis and Clark National ing the assessment process on Historic Trail NPS staff is looking for vol- a variety of sites, so that that 601 Riverfront Drive unteers among the LCTHF it can later be applied across Omaha, NE 68102 membership to participate in a the L&C Trail. NPS is espe- 402-661-1874 two-day workshop on the cially interested in getting FAX 402-661-1875 weekend of 17-18 September people who will do the areas [email protected] 2011, which involves training toward the coast and east of and then going into the field The Dalles.

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION / RENEWAL Chapter Membership $15.00 per year (Jan - Dec) for any person, Name(s) ______family, firm, association, or corporation. Please make check payable to: Washington State Chapter LCTHF, inc Street ______Mail to: Rob Heacock, Membership chair 13908 E. 27th Ct. City ______Veradale, WA 99037 Dues are kept as low as possible to State ______Zip ______encourage wide membership. Please consider making supplemental donations to Phone*(H) ______(W) ______help support the organization.

E-mail * ______ Please mark if address has changed.

*Optional –will be included with membership roster

Note: If you have recently renewed your membership, thank you. Please disregard this notice.

The above dues are for the Washington State Chapter only. Bylaws recommend that Chapter members be current members of the National Foundation. Annual dues are: Individual: $49.00 per year, Family: $65.00 per year. Membership includes the quarterly magazine WE PROCEEDED ON. Submit dues to LCTHF, inc. P.O. box 3434, Great Falls, MT 59403 DATES TO REMEMBER

September 14 -18: Astoria Fur Trade Encampment and re-enactment. Fort Stevens, Warrenton, Oregon

September 17-18: National Park Service assessment (see page 7)

September 23-25: Heritage Days at Sacajawea State Park (see page 6)

September 22-25: The Clark Event 2011. Long Beach, Washington. A weekend of Lewis & Clark History, Chinook Indian Nation History and an unprecedented reparation ceremony of the Canoe stolen by Lewis & Clark in 1806 to the Chinook Indian Nation. For more information go to www.theclarkevent2011.com or write to: The Clark Event 2011 P. O. BOX 306 Foristell, MO 63348

October 14: Last day to submit articles for inclusion in the November Worthy of Notice.

The Washington Chapter of the LCTHF can be found on the web at…

www.wa-lcthf.org

Washington State Chapter Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation 19033 102nd Ave SE Renton WA 98055

September 2011 Newsletter

The mission of the LCTHF is to stimulate appreciation of the Lewis and Clark Expedition’s contribution to America’s heritage and to support education, research, development and preservation of the Lewis and Clark experience.