Falls of the Ohio Interpretive Center holds temp exhibit

Erik Hackman, The Evening News and the Tribune, Jeffersonville, Ind.
·2 min read

Jan. 3—CLARKSVILLE — In May of 1804, Lewis and Clark started their expedition to explore and map out the land that the country obtained in the Louisiana Purchase.

Over two years they journeyed with their team and faced harsh weather conditions, starvation, disease, friendly and hostile Native Americans and more.

To show how America looked before and after the journey the group went on.

The Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation has now created "Reimagining America: The Maps of Lewis and Clark."

It is a traveling exhibit that will go all over the country to share the story of Lewis and Clark. The most recent stop for the exhibit is at the Falls of the Ohio Interpretive Center, 201 W. Riverside Drive, Clarksville.

Until Jan. 31, the exhibit will be at the interpretive center. Hours for the interpretive center are Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from 1 to 5 p.m.

"(The exhibit helps people) understand what an amazing feat that Lewis and Clark achieved without any modern technology," said Candace Hilderbrand, Falls of the Ohio Foundation's office and program associate.

In the hall near the river viewing room, 16 canvas panels cover the maps created by Lewis and Clark, how they found their way, how they made their maps and more.

This stop is one of the first stops the exhibit will make this year, the interpretive center is also one of the stops on the Lewis and Clark trail.

"We brought the exhibit in so that it complements our temporary exhibit here that celebrates the 20th anniversary of the dedication of the handshake statute in the front of the interpretive center," Hilderbrand said.

After the interpretive center completed its remodel in October, it added a display case this year to show off temporary exhibits throughout the year.

Until the first week of February, the display case will have the dedication of the handshake statue. Then it will be replaced with a geode exhibit. The goal is four displays this year.

"I encourage people to come spend time here and really get a feel for what an amazing expedition Lewis and Clark went on and to know that this is really where they started," Hilderbrand said.