Make fun and money

The United States became a country from sea to sea because of the foresight of Thomas Jefferson and of the heroism and undaunted courage of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. The story was forgotten for the first century and retold to rally the citizens around heroic deeds in 1905. People like to celebrate. And there are lots of people who can figure out how to prosper from a celebration.
Tourism in cities along the Lewis and Clark trail has been fostering celebrations of the Journey of Discovery for twenty years. It has built up to such a crescendo that international tourism is encouraging visits to areas where scenes can be acted in “living history” events with authentic props.
There is a State Park named after the Shosone woman, Sacajawea, in the approximate area where the Corps landed along the Snake river as it flows into the Columbia river. At that park living history takes place on a weekly basis. Gary Lentz, playing the part of Sargent Gass of the Corps, illustrates parts of the journey by focusing on various features. On weapons he demonstrated loading and firing of the rifles after he showed the versatility of each part.
The audiences for the talks include folks from far away because all tours focus on the "hot" thing. We had Australians who never heard of the Corps and never before had time or inclination to learn. But learn they did. We think it’s neat and hope the community benefits.
Washington State area could have been claimed by British or Russians or even Spanish if not for locations taken and maps made by Clark for use by statesmen in political debate and diplomatic demands.
For good or ill we are a nation spanning the continent between two oceans.
Naomi Sherer