The Lewis and Clark State Historic Site in Madison County is set to commemorate the 221st anniversary of the explorers' arrival at their Illinois winter encampment. The event, titled "Arrival at Camp River Dubois," will take place on December 14-15, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., inside the site's interpretive center.
The public can attend this free event where reenactors and demonstrators will depict life for the Lewis and Clark Expedition soldiers during their time at Camp River Dubois between December 1803 and May 1804. Visitors will gain insight into how the training and preparation at the camp equipped the Corps of Discovery for their journey.
Attendees will see soldiers dressed in period uniforms, including those of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, with demonstrators featuring the White Pirogue boat. Additionally, a War of 1812 artillery unit will be present to display and explain their cannon and equipment—a nod to some Expedition soldiers who later served in that conflict.
Exhibitors will highlight unique aspects of both the Expedition and early 19th-century life. Mark West is set to discuss historic tools essential for building and repairing expedition gear, while Jeffrey Edison will focus on York's role as the only enslaved member of the expedition. Steve Bollini plans to talk about hunting and fishing activities at Camp River Dubois.
St. Nicholas is also scheduled to appear during the event, offering children a chance to have their pictures taken with him while learning about gift-giving traditions from early French communities in Illinois. St. Nicholas will be available from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. each day.
Located in Hartford within Madison County, the Lewis and Clark State Historic Site features an interpretive center alongside a reconstructed Camp River Dubois that illustrates Illinois' crucial role in preparing for the Corps' expedition from December 1803 to May 1804. The site operates under winter hours from Wednesday through Sunday, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources with support from the Lewis and Clark Society of America.
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