Lewis and Clark State Historic Site Departure Commemoration May 9-10
Summary
The Illinois Department of Natural Resources announces the annual Point of Departure Commemoration at Lewis and Clark State Historic Site in Madison County, Illinois, scheduled for May 9-10, 2026. The free event will feature military reenactors, historic artisans demonstrating trades such as candle making, leatherworking, blacksmithing and woodworking, and educational programming. An Education Day on May 8 will serve more than 550 students from nine school districts in Illinois and Missouri. The site is managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and supported by the Lewis and Clark Society of America.
What changed
This document is a press release announcing a commemorative event and does not introduce any regulatory changes, compliance obligations, or enforcement actions. The announcement promotes the annual Lewis and Clark Expedition commemoration at the state historic site, including an Education Day for regional students. No regulatory requirements or penalties are imposed on any party.
There are no compliance implications for regulated entities. This announcement is informational only and does not create, modify, or remove any legal obligations. Visitors and event participants are invited to attend a free historical commemoration with no associated regulatory requirements.
Archived snapshot
Apr 20, 2026GovPing captured this document from the original source. If the source has since changed or been removed, this is the text as it existed at that time.
Release Date: 04/20/2026
Visit Lewis and Clark State Historic Site for departure commemoration May 9-10
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Monday, April 20, 2026
Media contact: dnr.pio@illinois.gov
SPRINGFIELD – Visitors are invited to commemorate the 222nd anniversary of the start of the Lewis and Clark Expedition with the annual Point of Departure Commemoration May 9-10 at the Lewis and Clark State Historic Site in Madison County.
The free event will feature military demonstrators, historic artisans and hands-on history displays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both days. Artisans will demonstrate candle making, leatherworking, tanning, gunsmithing, spinning, blacksmithing and woodworking.
Military reenactors will portray soldiers of the Lewis and Clark Expedition’s Corps of Discovery. Interpreting the “White Pirogue” replica of the Expedition’s boat, these reenactors will reveal the grueling task of navigating against the Missouri River. The War of 1812 American 2nd Regiment Artillery will discuss the war in which many Lewis and Clark Expedition members served while demonstrating black powder muskets and firing artillery.
Historian Jeffrey Edison will share York’s role in the Expedition as an enslaved servant to Captain William Clark. This often-overlooked member of the journey played an important role in its success.
Additionally, an Education Day will take place at the site on Friday, May 8, offering a preview of the event for more than 550 students from nine school districts representing Illinois and Missouri. Students will participate in dozens of hands-on learning stations led by presenters from The Nature Institute, Pere Marquette State Park, Fort Kaskaskia State Historic Site, Audubon Center at the Riverlands, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Illinois State Museum.
Education Day is supported by the Phillips 66 Wood River Refinery through financial contributions and volunteer support.
The Lewis and Clark State Historic Site is located at 1 Lewis and Clark Trail in Hartford. The Interpretive Center highlights Illinois’ role in the Corps of Discovery’s preparations as members wintered in the area from December 1803 to May 1804. The site is open daily during the summer from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The site is managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and supported by the Lewis and Clark Society of America.
- Visit Lewis and Clark State Historic Site for departure commemoration May 9-10
Back to top
Stay Informed
Helpful Links
Related changes
Get daily alerts for IL Human Rights Commission
Daily digest delivered to your inbox.
Free. Unsubscribe anytime.
About this page
Every important government, regulator, and court update from around the world. One place. Real-time. Free. Our mission
Source document text, dates, docket IDs, and authority are extracted directly from IL DNR.
The summary, classification, recommended actions, deadlines, and penalty information are AI-generated from the original text and may contain errors. Always verify against the source document.
Classification
Who this affects
Taxonomy
Browse Categories
Get alerts for this source
We'll email you when IL Human Rights Commission publishes new changes.
Subscribed!
Optional. Filters your digest to exactly the updates that matter to you.