Lewis and Clark left an extraordinary record of their quest in the journal writings they kept. These 4" x 6" field notebooks, most covered in red Moroccan leather, have since become etched into American history. Their prose is still accessible and engaging two centuries later, offering Americans the opportunity to reflect on a time when the country was experiencing dramatic change. Printings of the journals are available for everyone to enjoy; yet there is no more appreciated reader than the teacher who reads with purpose, delighting in the transmission of U.S. history and culture to the next generation.

As a topic for intellectual curiosity and analysis, events surrounding the expedition, and the journey itself reach across the curriculum. The connecting theme on this site is natural history as it was 200 years ago, and as witnessed and recorded by Lewis and Clark; however, U.S. and world history, geography, ethnography, and literature are each entangled with nearly every facet of the story. The lesson plans below are provided as support for teachers that are passing on the national heritage of the time.

These vignettes provide additional perspective on some of the plants that were described in the journals of the expedition members.

The web resources listed extend the information on this site in ways that may help the reader access complementary information. These sites do not belong to the Smithsonian Institution; therefore, we cannot vouch for the information on these sites.