Lewis and Clark momument celebrated 10 years later

Julie Smith/News Tribune FILE PHOTO
Lewis and Clark Trailhead Monument
Julie Smith/News Tribune FILE PHOTO Lewis and Clark Trailhead Monument

Local officials will celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the Lewis and Clark Trailhead Plaza this week.

Located near the base of the Missouri Capitol, the monument depicts Meriwether Lewis, William Clark, Clark's servant York, French interpreter George Druillard and Lewis' dog, Seaman, looking out over the nearby Missouri River.

Mayor Carrie Tergin, former Mayor John Landwehr and other members of the group that helped build the monument will celebrate the 10th anniversary of its completion with an event from 6-8 p.m. Thursday at the Elizabeth Rozier Art Gallery in the Union Hotel at 101 Jefferson St.

During the event, videos will show the monument's groundbreaking, its dedication and sculpting. Sculptor Sabra Tull Meyer will be on hand to share her recollections of the creation of the statue.

Janet Maurer helped organize the task force that helped build the monument. Maurer said Lewis and Clark expedition members had to invent new technologies to make the trek from St. Louis to the Pacific Ocean on their two-year quest.

When people look at the monument, Maurer said, she hopes they remember the explorers did not know if they would return home.

"You want them to remember that part of history," she said, "how hard it was."

In 2000, Maurer was involved with the Jefferson City Art Club and met Sally Sprague, who chaired a task force that wanted to build a monument to the explorers. The art club donated money used to build a miniature version of the monument to be used in fundraising efforts for the statue.

Serious fundraising efforts started in 2003 and ran through 2007. Money for the monument was raised through fundraising drives at 42 schools across the state.

Since the erection of the monument, Maurer said, she's proud it's become a local landmark near the site where the Lewis and Clark expedition stopped in Jefferson City.

The explorers had a story to tell, she said, and for decades, Jefferson City residents will be able to learn about that story because of the monument.

"It was not easy, but we did make it," Maurer said.