Is a national organization with approximately 1700-1900 members from all across the country and abroad in over 37 Chapters. The Foundation is an outgrowth of a 1960s presidential commission to assess whether the accomplishments of the Corps of Discovery warranted establishment of a National Historic Trail – their conclusion: a recommendation that Congress designate the trail. In 1969, the Commission concluded that their work would best be continued through the hands of a private organization. As originally charted, the Foundation consisted of people in the eleven trail states. Now there are members in most states and in several foreign countries. Their stated purpose, “to stimulate nationally public interest in matters relating to the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the contributions to American history made by the Expedition members and events of time and place concerning and following the Expedition which are historically important to our nation.”
The Foundation publishes a quarterly magazine, We Proceeded On referred to as WPO. The organization has a board of directors from all over the country. Their national headquarters are in Great Falls, MT. Their archives library and librarian is stationed at the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center.
Is one of the oldest local chapters affiliated with the national Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation. The PRC is headquartered in Great Falls and has a membership of approximately 100 - 125. It is the largest and longest sustaining chapter of the Foundation; although new chapters are rapidly growing in other locations across the country. Other Montana Chapters are located in Dillon, Billings, Three Forks/Bozeman, Missoula/Lolo, Helena, Cascade, Townsend, Chester, Cut Bank, Kalispell, Seeley Lake, and Hamilton. The PRC’s objectives are to educate the public and its members about the Expedition and its accomplishments. The PRC prides itself on presenting accurate programs in cooperation with the Interpretive Center and offering field trips to sites along the LC Trail. In June 2000, the PRC sponsored the first “Scholar in Residence” at the Interpretive Center with funds provided by the National Park Service and the Montana Committee for the Humanities. In 2004, Jay Buckley from Brigham Young University was the guest Scholar in Residence. The PRC publishes a quarterly newsletter, the Portage Chronicles. The organization is all-volunteer.
Is a non-profit organization Montana corporation. Members research and dress as Lewis and Clark expedition members and conduct demonstrations, flag ceremonies, and daily life skills of the Expedition. They are known for their accuracy on a national basis and are considered by authorities like Ken Burns and Stephen Ambrose as premier first-person interpreters and demonstrators of the dress, equipment, and life skills of the Corps of Discovery. They have been the focal point for media, photographers, and the annual Lewis and Clark Festival. They conduct demonstrations at the Interpretive Center and participate in other Festivals, parades, and activities across Montana. They are an all-volunteer organization.
Was established under Public Law 100-552 to provide educational and interpretive materials and programs in association with the Forest Service at the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center, Great Falls. The LCIA has a formal agreement with the Forest Service to provide materials for sale at the Interpretive Center. All items are reviewed by the federal agency and approved before sold in the store. Proceeds from the profits of these sale items are provided to the Forest Service to enhance the educational and interpretive programming at the Facility. The LCIA sponsors the annual L&C Festival, participates in cooperation with the Western Heritage Artists Association with their March art exhibition; underwrites many special speakers and temporary exhibits for the Center; and takes a personal interest in the school programs and camps provided at the Center. The Lewis and Clark Institute is a growing function of the LCIA – through the Institute, students can gain college credit and teachers can receive re-certification credit.
