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Nebraska Lewis & Clark Commission's Legacy Inventory Project

Dear Bicentennial Friends and Colleagues:

The Nebraska Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Commission was created in 2000 and charged with responsibilities for hosting the bicentennial commemoration of a great American adventure story, the epic journey of Meriwether Lewis, William Clark and their dedicated Corps of Discovery.  During the past 6 years we have shared an enjoyable experience with many great partners, and together achieved many great goals.  Cheers to each of you for a job very well done.  However, the mission is not yet completed.  With the Nebraska Commission’s term set to expire on December 31, 2007 there is a very important objective that remains unfulfilled.  That objective is to develop a thorough inventory and data base of trail assets, infrastructure, resources, activities, publications, etc. currently existing or produced during the commemoration; as well as a list of individuals, organizations and partners that generously contributed to the cause and will likely continue as stewards of the story. 

Meriwether Lewis and William Clark invested great effort into selecting a dedicated Corps.   In similar fashion the Bicentennial Commission is looking to enlist the expertise and energy of interested volunteers who would like to help us achieve this very important objective.  Volunteers will be asked to donate some time to “hit the trail,” on both sides of the river, and help gather or document information for the inventory.  Recruitment meetings were held in January and February, and those interested in this endeavor are invited to one of three, 6 hour, training sessions during which they will learn how to research and record information into the inventory program and database.  Scheduled training dates/locations are Omaha March 5th, Ponca State Park March 13th and Nebraska City March 16th.  Noon lunch will be provided.  Agenda and specific meeting location information will be posted on our website and the reverse side of this flyer. 

The inventory process is scheduled to begin in April andand culminate by the end of summer, so that pertinent information can be incorporated into a final inventory and legacy report that will serve as an educational and archival resource well into the future, and a tool for anyone seeking information about the bicentennial effort in Nebraska.  The inventory will also call attention to those resources and events along the trail that will remain available to future travelers along the historic trail, and will be a useful resource for the National Park Service, Missouri River corridor state’s tourism departments and many others as each works to preserve and promote the historic trail.

Isn’t it interesting how Thomas Jefferson’s mandate to Captain Lewis; to document experiences and communications along the trail still resonates today?  Perhaps Jefferson’s orders to us would have been…. “Much like the waters of the great Missouri River, the highly anticipated bicentennial commemoration has both arrived and drifted beyond.  The myriads of ripples and reflections produced in its passing are but a lingering legacy that will surely fade with passing days.  Incumbent upon each of us is a responsibility to remain keepers of the story and proliferate the spirit of rediscovery within the awakening minds of countless future explorers.  We must challenge ourselves to fulfill this mission by dutifully recording for prosperity the efforts, tribulations and rewards of that great endeavor each has so heartily invested towards.” 

It was the intriguing adventure of Lewis and Clark’s great expedition that captured our interest and it is consequence of our own desires to rekindle their journey that we have drafted our own chapter within this historic story.  The responsibility to journal bicentennial accomplishments is ours. 

Thanks for your interest in this effort.

Jim Swenson, Executive Director
Nebraska Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Commission
P.O. Box 98401
Lincoln, Nebraska 68509-4801
jim.swenson@ngpc.ne.gov/ 402-471-5499