Here they come "Arrival at Camp River Dubois" December 9 - 10 at Lewis and Clark State Historic Site commemorates the day the Expedition set up camp in Illinois

HARTFORD, IL - The 203^rd anniversary of the Lewis and Clark Expedition's arrival at their Illinois winter camp will be celebrated during "Arrival at Camp River Dubois" scheduled for Saturday and Sunday, December 9 and 10 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Lewis & Clark State Historic Site in Hartford, Illinois.  The event is free and open to the public. 

 

The reconstructed Camp River Dubois will be center of attention during this fourth annual special event.  Camp River Dubois, the original and the replica built by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, National Park Service, and the Lewis and Clark Society of America, were constructed based on a drawing done by Expedition co-leader William Clark in 1803. 

 

Authentic re-enactors portraying Expedition members will share with visitors the difficulties, harshness, and boredom of living at the camp during the winter of 1803-04.  The men of the Lewis and Clark Expedition were dedicated to the success of the mission, and throughout Lewis and Clark referred to these men as "The Detachment."  The present day "Detachment" is a group of living history enthusiasts who create a window of history with the desire to help visitors see the everyday life of these soldiers.  The "Detachment" will participate in a shooting demonstration, meal preparation, laundry duties, and guard and other "Fatigue Duties."  Visitors are free to roam the camp and talk with these volunteers.

 

Several exhibitors will be located inside the Interpretive Center.  These include Glenn Weaver, whose Native American artifacts were collected throughout Madison and Jersey Counties, including at and around the present location of the Lewis and Clark State Historic Site.  Paul Imes will exhibit the medical tools used by Captain Lewis on the Expedition; David Kuester will exhibit carpenter tools of the late 18^th and early 19^th centuries; Ed Hamburg will discuss the military weapons used during the Expedition and display specimens of the 1795 Springfield Musket, 1792 Contract Rifle, 1799 North Pistol, and a special Kentucky Long Gun he made, all of which were used on the expedition; and Michael Watson will interpret the art of gun cartage assembly.

 

The Lewis and Clark State Historic Site, administered by the Illinois Historic Preservation Agency, marks Site Number One on the National Lewis and Clark Heritage Trail.  It features an Interpretive Center about the Illinois role in the Expedition, as well as an accurate reconstruction of the camp from where the Expedition began.  It is open Wednesday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. for free public tours, and is located along Illinois Route 3 a few miles north of I-270 in Hartford, Illinois.  The site will be closed December 25 and January 1 for the holidays.