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| Lewis & Clark Fort Mandan Foundation |
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Formed in 1991 as a committee, eventually
becoming a 501(C)(3) non-profit corporation. |
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Secured state and federal
funding, with local match, to construct North Dakota Lewis & Clark
Interpretive Center, which opened June 1, 1997. Nearly 25,000 visitors
the first summer and fall, coming from all 50 states, every Canadian
province and 22 countries. |
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Conducted a successful $2 million capital
campaign in 2000-2001 to double the size of the Interpretive Center
to 11,000 square feet; furnish the rooms of Fort Mandan; establish
an endowment trust; and begin new programming at both the Center and
Fort Mandan. |
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Constructed a $1 million
"Headwaters Fort Mandan Visitor Center," opening June 1, 2002.
This 5,400 square foot facility was built with assistance from the
area's energy industry, and constructed almost entirely of "coal
combustion products." (Fort Mandan below.) |
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Overseen by a volunteer Board of Directors,
chaired by Al Christianson.
President is David Borlaug, Vice President is Wendy Spenser. |
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| North Dakota Lewis & Clark Interpretive
Center |
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Opened in 1997 and expanded
in 2001. A world-class facility, devoted to telling the story of the
Lewis & Clark Expedition, with special emphasis on the time spent
at Fort Mandan. |
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Over 1,000 square foot
exhibit area includes interpretive panels; American Indian artifacts
from many various tribes encountered by Lewis & Clark; a "try
me" buffalo robe; 30-foot long hand-hewn dugout canoe; replica
of Sakakawea's cradleboard; piece of a clasp from one of the Captains
field journals; and impressive display of mounted wildlife. |
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"Bergquist Gallery" displays
the aquatints of Swiss artist Karl Bodmer. The center is one of four
institutions in the world to house a complete collection of these
prints. Bronzes and other art are also on display. |
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"Sheldon Gallery,"
the newest addition to the Center, tells the story of Fort Clark,
the "next chapter" after Lewis & Clark, featuring the
fur trade and steamboat era, with strong emphasis on the relationship
with the Mandan Indians at the adjacent village, Mih-tutta-hang-kusch.
Original artifacts from Fort Clark and the village are displayed. |
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Orientation film runs throughout the day,
narrated by best-selling historian/author Stephen E. Ambrose. |
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"The Cottonwoods"
gift shop features an incredible array of books on Lewis & Clark,
American Indians and regional history, plus many other related items. |
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Open seven days a week. Memorial Day through
Labor Day, 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. CST; remainder of year 9:00 a.m.
to 5:00 p.m. CST. |
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Admission to Fort Mandan and the
Interpretive Center: adults $7.50, students, K-college, $5. Members free. |
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| Fort Mandan and Headwaters Fort Mandan Visitor Center |
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Full scale replica of Lewis & Clark's
wintering post of 1804-05, constructed several miles downstream of
original site, by the McLean County Historical Society in 1971. |
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Set among a pristine
environment of cottonwood trees, along the free-flowing Missouri River.
Wildlife is abundant in the area, which includes the adjacent Fahlgren
Memorial Park. Picnic facilities are available. |
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Operated by the Foundation since 1997,
which has refurbished the Fort, making it more historically accurate
by adding fireplaces and chimneys, wooden floors and a new roof. |
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Each of the rooms is
furnished as if the Expedition were still present, including buffalo
robes and trade blankets on the bunks; guns and other weapons; clothing
and uniforms; utensils and a working blacksmith shop. |
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Interpreters on site daily, year round,
escorting visitors through the Fort and telling the story of the time
at Fort Mandan. |
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Headwaters Fort Mandan Visitor Center, opened in 2002, is constructed entirely of "coal combustion
products,"through a unique partnership with the region‚s
energy industry. Flyash is the primary ingredient in everything from
concrete to"Flex Crete"building blocks, mortar, ceramic
tile, carpeting and shingles. Wallboard is made from synthetic gypsum,
derived from power plant sludge. |
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"The Cottonwoods" gift shop is
among the largest on the entire Lewis & Clark Trail, with fascinating
gift selections, from books to crafts and more. |
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Open seven days a week.
Memorial Day through Labor Day, 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. CST; remainder
of year 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CST. |
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Admission to Fort Mandan and the Interpretive Center:
adults $7.50, students, K-college, $5. Members free |
