Missouri First Lady, Archaeologists share reactions to historic dugout canoe

A dugout canoe that plied the streams of the Midwest hundreds of years ago drew 80 people to the museum on July 20, most notably Missouri First Lady Teresa Parson and archaeologists Jack Ray and Neil Lopinot. Radio-carbon dating shows the canoe to be more than 200 years old, and the archaeologists believe the craft was hewn from an Osage Orange tree that was hollowed out by nature. The wood is remarkably hard to cut and resilient. Highlighted as one of six prominent historic canoes in Missouri by the Missouri Archaeological Society in this month’s newsletter, the owners are Larry and Judy Sifford of Branson West, Missouri.
Earlier in the day, Missouri First Lady Teresa Parson visited the museum for the first time, learning about our educational programs, commitment to telling the story of St. Charles and Lewis & Clark, and seeing the canoe firsthand.