Annual Report to the Community

2024 marked the 21st Anniversary of the Lewis and Clark Boat House & Museum. 
We continue to see momentum as we build for the future.  Here’s a roundup of 2024 and preview of 2025!

• Record-setting paid attendance
• River Re-enactments
• Expanded docent program
• Historic Hawken Rifles
• Major building enhancements
• Stellar reviews online
  

Connecting Lewis & Clark to the Community
The Lewis & Clark Boat House and Museum welcomed 24,387 museum visitors, from all 50 states and more than 40 countries; from remote Kazakhstan to distant Nepal.  We’re at the center of community celebrations, such as the Festival of the Little Hills and the Hawken Classic, the finish line for hundreds of paddlers in the MR-340, a regular partner with the  St. Charles Convention and Visitors Bureau and school field trips, senior centers, and tours.  We’ve opened the doors to culinary masterpieces, Methodist ministers and ABC 20/20 producers!

Bringing History to Life
In milestone adventures, we had all three boats and a full complement of re-enactors on the Missouri River bank by the Boat House in late May.  Part of our in-production film series, the scenes depicted the arrival and departure of the Corps of Discovery from St. Charles in May 1804.  In October, the Keelboat journeyed by land and river to spots from Omaha, NE, to Kaw Point, MO.  The partnership with the National Park Service, Atchison, KS, Friends of the River, the Lewis & Clark Trust and others, was a remarkable example of the interest in living history.  Closer to home, thanks to a grant from Americana Corner and the Lewis & Clark Trail Alliance, we expanded our docent program at the Museum.  For the first time, one student earned 3 hours of college credit (at Lindenwood University) for interpreting history here.  His successor, another Lindenwood credit student will be interpreting at the museum this spring.  In March, we’ll add a temporary Steward funded by Conservation Legacy and Americorps.

Hawken Classic: 200 years of history
A premiere rifle of the early 1800s, the Hawken rifle was made in Missouri and cherished by early settlers and mountain men.  In May, more than 1,000 visitors gathered at the Boat House to drool over priceless antique rifles (actual drool not allowed), fire a vintage rifle  and learn from expert historians.  Mark your calendar for the 200th anniversary May 16-18, 2025.

Changes at the Top
We welcomed new Officers and Board Members in November, including Vice Chair Marty Martin, Treasurer Chris Collier and Board Member Josh Bennett.  The infusion of energy and expertise speaks well for the future of our organization!

Gift Shop Goodness
Record-setting gift shop sales were a testament to new seasonal items such as custom Seaman Christmas ornaments, greeting cards featuring our fleet on the river by the Museum, locally sourced items such as custom-etched Keelboat models and history books, and a remarkable assortment of educational and National Park-themed items.  We hear often that people consider the gift shop a destination on its own!

Fresh displays make fascinating glimpses of history
With special thanks to John Fisher, we added handmade tools and colorful inks and tints to our display.  A “secret trigger” flintlock pistol, dating to the early 1800s, is now on display, very similar to the one Lewis is believed to have carried.   Our displays are funded, thanks to a grant from the Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation from the Lewis & Clark Trail Stewardship Endowment: A National Council of the Lewis & Clark Expedition Bicentennial Legacy Project.   There’s always something new to discover.

Home Sweet Home
We love our riverside location, but as early explorers knew well, the elements can be brutal.  Rising waters forced a July 4 move to higher ground. We completed a mold-remediation project thanks to the Harmon Foundation, continued upgrading to energy-efficient lighting, and refined the spaces to better host events such as the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation, Richard Greeves Art Exhibition and Veterans Administration meetings.

Special requests for 2025

Be Part of History with the Discovery Expedition!
Calling history enthusiasts, riverfolk and adventurers – if you are interested in getting hands-on in telling history aboard and around our magnificent boats, we’d love to talk to you.  We’re seeking volunteers to (literally) learn the ropes and dress the part as we get the boats onto the river and expand our educational mission.  To get involved, call 636-947-3199 or email director@lewisandclarkboathouse.org.

We cordially invite you to join or renew for 2025, and enjoy the privileges of your membership, including our monthly newsletter, free admission to the Boat House, discount at the Gift Shop and access to member-only events and notices!   Don’t be left behind on the dock, join or renew today.  We always welcome additional donations! 

Thank you for your support!

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Chairman’s Report to the Membership:

Review of 2024:

What an exciting year we experienced!   Just to mention a few 2024 highlights: There was our Muster to organize all that had to be done.   The next big event was the Hawken Annual Classic which was a great first time success that meshed well with what we do.  Then the St. Charles Filming captured some wonderful content which is being edited as you are reading this note.  Along the way we recruited some talented people and had an awesome time preparing and filming.  We had the total fleet on the river, an inspiring sight that captivated visitors.  Many stories to be published later.

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention the MR340 or the Festival of the Little Hills.  Both events are great to have for the public & PR exposure.  Thanks to the volunteers who are generous with their time.  We can’t possibly carry out our mission without the sacrifice of our members.

Our biggest adventure was the October trip from Omaha to Kansas City.  We had some challenges but with an average of 25 participants and the passing of the baton from Tom Ronk to Dewayne Knott as phase leader with John Meyers help, it all went as smoothly as could be expected.  We renewed old friendships and presented our message to communities and hundreds of students.  Thanks to the communities and to our donors for funding that made our trip possible!
  
Looking to 2025: We need volunteers for every event listed.

Looking forward, this year looks just as busy. Some details are yet to be worked out, so schedule your time accordingly.  The first big event is happening at Natchez, MS the last weekend in March.  You won’t want to miss what Bryant Boswell has planned.  September will be active for Living History, many details are still pending, but we hope to launch the Keelboat.

To update you about any Arabia News that you may have heard about moving to St. Charles:  Nothing has happened except the commitment by the St. Charles Mayor to establish a National Steamboat Museum.  Word is, it would be across the parking lot from the Boathouse using a part of the south end of Frontier Park.  It’s just discussions at this point with or without the Arabia Museum from Kansas City.  The Arabia Museum has to move by the end of 2026 because Kansas City revoked their lease.  No one knows anything for certain.

Without you, our membership, we would be unable to proceed with our mission fueled by your commitment of valued time & treasure.  No words can describe what every member means to this organization.

Thank You,   Jan P. Donelson, Chairman

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Mark Your Calendars for 2025!

March 27-30 “Follow the Frenchman through Natchez”  The Farewell Tour of Lafayette in Natchez, Mississippi.  For information, visit Mississippi Society Sons of the American Revolution,   https://www.msssar.org    Click onto the blue square reading “116th Annual Meeting of the MS SAR.”   The Fife and Drum and several DESC members are staying at the Hampton Inn.  If you have questions, please email Bryant Boswell at mtcreeklodge@aol.com or call 601-966-0670. 

May 10th – New Haven Heritage Days,  Phase leader: Larry Boschen
June 14-15  – Muster at the Boat House (Jim Martin)

Late June – Possible river trip from Jefferson City to St. Louis Arch (Josh Bennett)Hawken Classic Rifle Weekend, May 16-18, Lewis & Clark Boat House and Museum
The Hawken Classic, presented by the Gemmer Muzzleloader Association, will take history forward a few decades, to the era of the Mountain Man and the age of the St. Louis-made Hawken rifle. (Phase Leader: Larry Boschen)

July 7-11 Missouri American Water MR340 Canoe & Kayak Race (Nancy Jackson)
Aug, 15-17 Festival of the Little Hills, Frontier Park St. Charles (Jan Donelson)
Sept. 14-17 Lewis & Clark Alliance Annual Meeting, Kansas City (Pending)
Sept. 26-28 Walk Back in Time, Mexico MO (Tom Young)
Dec. 5-7       Holiday Celebration, Boat House, St. Charles (Bob Foster)

We’d love to host your event!
Each year we host dozens of special events from baby showers to memorial services to corporate meetings and everything in between.  With a large classroom, balcony overlooking the river, museum space and park-like setting, we can make your event memorable and unique.  DESC members get a discount on their rental!