The Corps of Volunteers for North West Discovery was far more than a scientific expedition. The disciplines of science and arts often merged, as when singing and dancing was used as tools of trail diplomacy. Other arts such as languages, literature, and linguistics provided the means to record the story of the expedition itself, as did the visual arts and artists who interpreted the Lewis and Clark story—and continue to interpret it to this day.
Illustrating the Expedition
Nineteenth century tools and methods utilized engraving, lithography, the physiognotrace, and early photography processes. The artists themselves, interpreted the Lewis and Clark Expedition within the historical frameworks of their times.
L&C in Literature
The “writingest” American expedition was entangled in the contemporary literature of its time and their successes eventually led to a large literary response.
L&C Artists
Interpreters of the trail
Due to the relative paucity of illustrations in the journals, Lewis and Clark storytellers rely on the drawings, paintings, engravings, statuary, and photographs of early travelers and modern interpreters alike. Listed here are early travelers and modern interpreters with indexes of their artwork used on this site.
Song and Dance
The journals of the Lewis and Clark expedition contain references to some two dozen occasions when the men turned to music for recreation and to celebrate holidays. It also served an important function in some of their diplomatic negotiations with Indian tribes.
Experience the Lewis and Clark Trail
The Lewis and Clark Trail Experience—our sister site at lewisandclark.travel—connects the world to people and places on the Lewis and Clark Trail.
Discover More
- The Lewis and Clark Expedition: Day by Day by Gary E. Moulton (University of Nebraska Press, 2018). The story in prose, 14 May 1804–23 September 1806.
- The Lewis and Clark Journals: An American Epic of Discovery (abridged) by Gary E. Moulton (University of Nebraska Press, 2003). Selected journal excerpts, 14 May 1804–23 September 1806.
- The Lewis and Clark Journals. by Gary E. Moulton (University of Nebraska Press, 1983–2001). The complete story in 13 volumes.
This site is provided as a public service by the
Lewis and Clark Trail Alliance
with cooperation and funding from the following organizations:
- Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail
- Montana Committee for the Humanities
- Idaho Governor's Lewis and Clark Trail Committee
- The Capital Gallery (Lewis and Clark Fort Mandan Foundation)
- Yellowstone Public Radio
Unless otherwise noted, journal excerpts are from The Journals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, edited by Gary E. Moulton, 13 vols. (Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1983-2001).