Initial Planning Activities
Memorandum of Understanding: A Memorandum of Understanding was signed by 5 departments (Agriculture, Army, Education, Interior, and Transportation) and 10 agencies (Forest Service, COE, Office of Intergovernmental and Interagency Affairs, BIA, BLM, BOR, FWS, NPS, USGS and Federal Highways) along with the Bicentennial Council on October 1, 1998.
The Chief of Engineers was a signatory to this document. The MOU is an agreement by all agencies to collaborate and coordinate on various activities being planned for the Bicentennial Commemoration.
National Coordinator: A national coordinator has been appointed to define and coordinate the implementation of the Director of Civil Works' decision for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to participate in the national bicentennial commemoration.
Division and District POC's: The Division and District POC's that have been appointed nationwide are coordinating projects within their respective commands as well as obtaining information for and disseminating information from the National Coordinator.
National Council for the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial: Contacts have been made with the Executive Director of the National Council for the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial. Coordination of Corps and other Federal agency events as well as events planned by State, Tribal, and local entities during the entire bicentennial commemoration will be in conjunction with the National Council.
Federal Interagency Coordinating committee: A Federal Interagency Committee (FIC) composed of representatives from all of the Federal agencies that had signed the 1 October 1998 MOU has been formed. The Corps' National Coordinator is an integral part of this Planning Committee. This committee is working together to ensure that similar activities are not being planned by another agencies and to foster partnership opportunities among the various agencies.
Army Lewis and Clark Advisory Group: A committee of members from various commands and agencies within the U.S. Army is forming to develop a coordinated approach to the Army's efforts during the bicentennial. The Corps' National Coordinator is a member of this committee.
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Bicentennial Projects
The national coordinator, assistant coordinator and the project delivery team, which is made up of the district coordinators and several task forces, directs the activities of the Corps. The Information Task Force was charged with developing information for a single map/brochure, which covers the entire trail. This publication, entitled “Discovering the Legacy of Lewis and Clark,” is an interagency effort and is available at the present time. The Mapping Task Force was charged with developing a database of all available federal map products. These products are made available to all agencies to minimize duplication of effort. The Army Brochure Task Force was charged with developing a companion brochure to the recently published “U.S. Army and the Lewis and Clark Expedition.” This piece is interpretive in nature and discusses the many overlooked stories that took place during the Expedition. The Discovery Box Task Force was charged with developing an educational box, which functions as an interpretive tool for the Corps park ranger staff to use in campground and school programs, and special events. The distribution of the Discovery Box to field offices has been completed. In addition to these products, the PDT has undertaken a number of other educational products that are listed below.
1. Regional maps and publications: Missouri River Travelers Guide and Journal, Lower Missouri River Map and Guide (“A Guide to Recreation and Visitor Safety”), Eastern Legacy map (“The Beginning of the Great Expedition”), Columbia River Boaters Map and Guide (“Great River of the West”).
2. Lewis and Clark video: This video, "Lewis and Clark - A Confluence of Time and Courage" was coordinated by the NWD L&C PDT, tells the story of the Expedition from the Army and Native American perspective and will be marketed to public television and schools. There is also a video that has been developed by LRD that discusses the recruitment of Expedition members during Lewis and Clark's journey down the Ohio River.
3. American Rivers exhibit: The Army sponsored part of this exhibit and the Corps administered the contract. It has been touring major cities along the trail for the past year.
4. Car-tours audiotapes: These tapes are designed to assist travelers of the trail and provide narrations, which are keyed to specific locations. They were sponsored in part by the Corps and will be distributed through a non-profit organization
5. Lewis and Clark Training Academy: The academy is sponsored by the Corps and is open to other organizations and individuals. Its purpose is to provide high quality training for personnel who will be involved in working the Signature Events and giving educational programs. This academy is offered at several locations throughout the nation each year.
6. Corps of Discovery II: This traveling exhibit was developed by the National Park Service in cooperation with the other federal agency signatories of the L&C MOU. It will travel the trail during 2003-2006. Stops will correspond with the dates of the original Expedition. Corps park rangers will be active in helping to staff the exhibit and providing speakers for the Tent of Many Voices.
7. Support of Signature Events: The Corps will be present at all Signature Events by participating in the Corps II display as well as sponsoring or partnering on other exhibits and educational activities.
8. Michael Haynes paintings: The Corps commissioned five painting of original scenes from the Expedition. The scenes will depict the daily military life of the Expedition and will be on display at the various Signature Events and used in the Corps educational products.
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Signature Event Activities
COE Exhibit: The Corps is part of a contingent of Federal, state, and local agencies that sponsor exhibits at the Signature Events. The Corps exhibit has five parts - (1) one backdrop of the historic aspect of Lewis and Clark and one backdrop of the modern army connection; (2) a display of the Discovery Box; (3) prints of the Michael Haynes painting commissioned by the Corps; (4) a “trading center” and (5) an information table that contained a variety of COE brochures. The exhibit is staffed by COE Park Rangers that have applied and have been accepted to work the Signature Events.
Corps Encampment: Members of the Corps’ Captain Lewis’ Company as well as members of the Frontier Army Living History Association provide costumed interpretation (1803 Army) at the event site. The reenactors either set up an encampment or walk around the event grounds engaging visitors one-on-one. The encampment consists of one common tent and three small shelter tents along with the many accoutrements that would have been taken by the expedition. When in camp, Capt. Lewis’ Company posts front and rear guards, perform daily tasks around the camp (cleaning guns, repairing leather goods, etc), and finish off each day with a “whiskey” ration (water) and a dance reel.
School Programming: There are times where schools are not able to attend the Signature Events. At these times, the COE sends groups of rangers out to the schools to do a variety of programming. This way, all of the children in the area can participate in the Lewis and Clark Bicentennial whether or not they actually make it to the event site.
Tent Of Many Voices (TOMV): The Tent of Many Voices is the speaker venue for the Corps of Discovery II - 200 Years to the Future project headed by the National Park Service and supported by the other Federal Agencies. During the Signature Events and any time Corps II is on COE project lands, the COE provides speakers for the TOMV. TOMV has a small stage for presentations and seating capacity of 150.
“Lewis and Clark: A Confluence of Time and Courage” Video Presentation: During the Signature Events, the 30-minute education version of the video produced by the NWD L&C team is shown. At times, a PowerPoint presentation about the making of the film is given. The film highlights the Army aspect of the expedition and the men's interaction with the Indians encountered. At each presentation the COE has received many very positive comments.
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