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Okay, we're in North Dakota now! The Corps of Discovery spent more time in this state than any other. Kicking things off is the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center, located in Washburn, North Dakota. (To get your bearings, that's about 40 miles northwest of Bismarck.) It's easy to find, lying at the intersection of US 83 and State Road 200. We stopped here on our way westward to spend several nights at the Little Missouri National Grassland and Theodore Roosevelt National Park. This was part of our astounding Little Bighorn Battlefield trip of May 2002. A Gem in the West |
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Overlooking the Missouri River, the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center is right on the original trail. Despite its out-of-the-way location in the hinterlands of western North Dakota, this is a world class museum displaying a number of artifacts on loan from the Library of Congress and other galleries. It's difficult to find words to describe the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center, but perhaps the best is "regal." This gorgeous, multimillion dollar affair is a huge structure characterized by exotic windows and massive beams. The rich color and texture of the timber used throughout is breathtaking. One step inside and you'll realize that no pains were spared to make this a real work of architectural art. |
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Karl Bodmer: Western Artist Par ExcellenceI've been very fortunate in my ten years of travels out west to have seen some truly remarkable art depicting and commemorating the frontier, the people who lived there originally, and the explorers who came later. I've enjoyed such 19th century artists as George Catlin, W. H. Jackson, Alfred Jacob Miller and others. I'm not a snob, and I'm certainly not an art critic. But from the outset I've always felt that Karl Bodmer was the king of the western artists. His technical skill was perhaps the most advanced of the various men I've just mentioned, and his choice of human subjects was always impeccable. But don't take my word for it; go see his work yourself in the Bergquist Gallery of the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center. I think you'll be enchanted! Karl Bodmer came to this neck of the woods in 1833, a 23 old member of the Prince Maximilian scientific expedition. A Swiss artist, it was his duty to faithfully record the sights and people he met. I love his landscapes, but am especially fond of his paintings of various Mandan Indians. He captured many of them in very lifelike positions participating in rituals and day-to-day activities. And Bodmer's attention to detail with regard to the clothing is spectacular. Like I say, this guy really had the knack — you owe it to yourself to visit here and see this works first hand. An Afternoon in the Museum |
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Also to be found here are wonderful exhibits interpreting the Lewis & Clark Trail. There are dioramas, artifact displays, a gigantic rough hewn canoe and (of course) an observation window from which one can look down on the river. There's also a nice book shop with a wide selection of literature on the West. All in all, you can spend a pleasant afternoon here, as we did, and come away with a greater appreciation of not only the Corps of Discovery but of the artist Bodmer. |
A Great Rest Stop Since you may pass by Bismarck on your way here, I would be remiss if I didn't call your attention to the beautiful and newish Bismarck/Mandan Visitor Center. You'll find tons of tourist information as well as restrooms and drinking water. Located on I-94, it's right off of exit 157. |
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North Dakota Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center P.O. Box 607 Washburn, ND 58577-0607 Phone: (877) 462-8535 (toll free!) Email: info@fortmandan.org |
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All photography by Thomas Henry unless otherwise noted.
Entire contents © 2001-2005 Thomas Henry