Lewis and Clark make a return journey through Northern Kentucky

BURLINGTON, Ky. - History enthusiasts will get the chance to go back in time and learn about two of America's most famous explorers.

See a piece of history as it unfolded for Lewis and Clark, as a traveling exhibition stops off at the Boone County Library in July.

The exhibition, “Lewis and Clark and the Indian Country: 200 Years of American History” starts with an opening reception at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, July 1 at the Main Branch of the Boone County Public Library at 1786 Burlington Pike in Burlington, Ky.

Guests will be able to view the exhibit in the library’s art gallery and watch a film about Lewis and Clark's stop in the Cincinnnati area. After the movie, the audience will discuss the expedition.

What makes the exhibit unique is its focus on the American Indian's point of view. Lewis and Clark encountered more than 50 tribes on their journey and the exhibit examines the effects the expedition had on their cultures.

“What often gets lost in the story is that Lewis and Clark did not explore a wilderness—they traveled through an inhabited homeland,” said Frederick E. Hoxie, the exhibit’s curator.

Collin Taylor, the library's program director, said the exhibit focuses more on the overall story of the explorers' journey rather than being specific to the Kentucky area. There is little involvement from local tribes because there are not really any resident tribes in the area anymore, he said. In fact, when Lewis and Clark came through the area there were actually very few resident Native Americans left.

Lewis and Clark were told by President Thomas Jefferson to stop in the area on their journey, specifically at Big Bone Lick State Park, said Taylor. The area is commonly known as the birthplace of paleontology and the president felt it was an important stop. 

The exhibition was organized by the Newberry Library, Chicago and the American Library Association Public Programs Office. It has been traveling across the country since 2007 and will visit 23 libraries and four American Indian sites.

“We are pleased to have been selected as a site for this exhibition,” said Greta Southard, the Boone County Public Library's director.

Many Americans are familiar with the story of Lewis and Clark, Southard said, but people do not know about the Native American perspective of the voyage. She said it is important to know that even though the journey expanded the nation it also dramatically changed Native American cultures.

The exhibition draws upon original documents from the Newberry Library as well as other institutions and includes photographs of handwritten documents, maps, paintings and drawings.

Throughout its stay, the exhibit will play host to other events including a chance to meet an actor who portrays Meriwether Lewis, a Native American day and a discussion led by author Stanley Hedeen, Ph.D., who wrote a book about Big Bone Lick State Park.  According to Taylor, this will be the first year for the Native American day and members of tribes from Ohio will participate.

The exhibition will be on display until Aug. 13. More information can be found at www.bcpl.org/media/pdf/newsletters/books-beyond-new.pdf .