1. The Lewis and Clark Expedition Artifacts from the Journey West
Carrie Voelker
April 19, 2011
EDUC 3570
Dr. Ted D. R. Green

2. Blunderbuss
One of the many firearms brought on the expedition, but only two were brought along.
Not gracefully made, the blunderbuss was stout and intimidating.
Why might Lewis and Clark have brought this weapon on their expedition, knowing it was heavy and did not travel well?
Rivers, Edens, Empires: Lewis & Clark and the Revealing of America. The Library of Congress

3. Jefferson’s Instructions for Lewis
Thomas Jefferson wrote a letter to Meriwether Lewis giving instructions for the expedition.
Jefferson sketched out plans for territorial expansion and many other objectives for the crew.
What do you think some of the other objectives might have been?
Rivers, Edens, Empires: Lewis & Clark and the Revealing of America. The Library of Congress

4. Pipe Tomahawk
One end of the pipe meant peace, while the other meant war.
They were created by Europeans and exchanged as diplomatic symbols with the Native Americans.
Can you tell which end meant war and which meant peace?
What factors do you think determined which end of the pipe was presented at new meetings?
Rivers, Edens, Empires: Lewis & Clark and the Revealing of America. The Library of Congress

5. Jefferson’s Secret Message
Jefferson wrote a secret letter to Congress requesting
funding before the expedition.
He originally planned to include a request for funding in his general address, but his Secretary of State suggested he do it in secret.
Why do you think this was?
Rivers, Edens, Empires: Lewis & Clark and the Revealing of America. The Library of Congress

6. William Clark’s Compass
This is a photograph of
Clark’s compass that he
carried on the expedition.
It was contained in a hinged box to protect the compass’ face.
Can you tell what the dial was made of?
How does it compare to today’s compasses?
Discovering William and Clark. The Lewis and Clark Fort Mandan Foundation

7. Jefferson’s Cipher
Jefferson knew that there would not be a way for him to stay in touch with Lewis & Clark and devised this cipher.
It was never used on the actual trip, but Lewis was to communicate with Jefferson using this cipher and the assistance of Indians and fur traders.
Can you decode the word “explore” using the cipher?
Why do you think this tool was not used?
Rivers, Edens, Empires: Lewis & Clark and the Revealing of America. The Library of Congress

8. Jefferson Peace Medal
America started giving these out during the Washington
Administration.
Lewis and Clark brought at least 89 medals in 5 sizes to appoint 5 levels or “ranks”
of chief.
How do you think the medals were used with the Native Americans?
Rivers, Edens, Empires: Lewis & Clark and the Revealing of America. The Library of Congress

9. Lewis’ Animal Journal
Meriwether Lewis kept an extensive journal of animals the crew encountered.
On occasion he and Clark would sketch pictures of the animals they had never seen before.
Can you tell which animals these are?
How might they have helped Lewis and Clark?
Rivers, Edens, Empires: Lewis & Clark and the Revealing of America. The Library of Congress
American Sabbatical: A Song of the American Road for Two Voices

10. Pipe Bowl & Stem
Most tribes depended upon kinship as a legal system—if you had no kin, you were considered an outlaw.
The Plains Indians used a pipe ceremony to adopt Lewis and Clark into their society.
What do you think the pipe ritual symbolized in this case?
Rivers, Edens, Empires: Lewis & Clark and the Revealing of America. The Library of Congress
Rivers, Edens, Empires: Lewis & Clark and the Revealing of America. The Library of Congress

11. 1st Published Map of Expedition’s Track
This was the first semi-accurate map of land across the Mississippi.
Jefferson was astonished to see the diversity of the land west of the river.
What foundations of modern day maps of the U.S. can you see from this one?
Rivers, Edens, Empires: Lewis & Clark and the Revealing of America. The Library of Congress

12. Sources
American Sabbatical: A Song of the American Road for Two Voices
Discovering William and Clark. The Lewis and Clark Fort Mandan Foundation
Rivers, Edens, Empires: Lewis & Clark and the Revealing of America. The Library of Congress