Lewis and Clark Education and Research Center

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Official page of the Lewis and Clark Education and Research Center in West Point, KY

09/28/2026

HIGHLIGHTED MOMENTS: Despite being an exceptional blacksmith, John Shields was also a remarkable hunter. On September 14, 1804, Shields managed to kill the first recorded white-tailed jackrabbit of the expedition, about 1,100 miles up the Missouri River in present-day South Dakota. Originally called the “large Hare of America” by Lewis, it is now most commonly called the jackrabbit, a name given to it around the middle of the 19th century.

Lewis recorded its measurements as well as an in-depth description from its eyes to the length of its ears, based on observations during the expedition and with the help of Shields’ specimen. “the eye is large and prominent the sight [pupil] is circular, deep sea green, and occupyes one third of the width of the eye … the front outer foald of the year is a redis brown…the belly and brest are white with a shad of lead colour— the furr is long and fine— the tale is white round and blounty pointed …it resorts the open plains, is extreemly fleet and never burrows ot takes shelter in the ground when pursued… they appear to run with more ease and to bound with greater agility than any anamall I ever saw. this anamal is usually single seldom associating in any considerable numbers.”
Native to western North America, the white-tailed jackrabbit is a generally solitary animal, most commonly found in the plains and prairies.

Sources:
https://lewis-clark.org/sciences/mammals/hares-and-jackrabbits/
https://lewis-clark.org/members/john-shields/
https://lewis-clark.org/day-by-day/14-sep-1804/

08/23/2026

Come visit the 9th stop of the Lewis and Clark Education and Research Center Walking Trail!

Starving after crossing the Bitterroot Mountains, Lewis and Clark were fed this plant by the Nez Perce. The root of this herb was a staple food of many West Coast Tribes’ diets and continues to be cultivated and harvested. With striking purplish-blue flowers, camas blooms each spring and was once abundant across vast wet meadows from California to Canada. It can be eaten raw, roasted, or as bread.

Starting at the West Point History Museum or vice versa, the walking trail takes visitors through the city with ten numbered panels along the way detailing the various flora the expedition discovered along their journey.

07/31/2026

ON THIS DAY: The American Badger (taxidea taxus), is native to North America, found in open grasslands. On July 30 1804, Joseph Field killed the second badger of the expedition north of Omaha. Clark recorded it in his journal, describing its habits and size. “This Anamale Burrows in the Ground…His Shape & Size is like that of a Beaver, his head mouth &c. is like a Dogs”. The first animal Lewis preserved for scientific study and identification, he sent the skin back to Jefferson in April of 1805.

07/15/2026

HIGHLIGHTED MOMENTS: Rattlesnakes, while frightening, are rarely deadly. Unfortunately for the Expedition, that did not make the bites any less painful. On July 4, 1804, while traveling west of the Mississippi, Joseph Field got an unpleasant surprise. Clark reported “a Snake bit Jo: Fields on the Side of his foot which Swelled much… which was quickly doctered with Bark by Cap Lewis”. Most likely bitten on the ankle by a prairie rattlesnake, he was treated with an application of Peruvian bark, which we now know is uneffective against rattlesnake bites. Field was lucky enough to come out unscathed, making a full recovery.

Peruvian bark, also known as cinchona bark, was used for the cure of malaria, having no documented effect on rattlesnake venom.

https://lewis-clark.org/day-by-day/4-jul-1804/

06/24/2026

Come visit the 8th stop of the Lewis and Clark Education and Research Center Walking Trail!

Named after William Clark, Clarkia pulchella is a delicate wildflower from the Pacific Northwest and Midwest. It is also commonly named the elkhorn, deerhorn, pink fairy, or ragged robin in some regions. Clark admired this flower for its graceful and colorful appearance. Its bright flowers add to the beauty of open fields throughout the spring and summer.

Starting at the West Point History Museum or vice versa, the walking trail takes visitors through the city with ten numbered panels along the way detailing the various flora the expedition discovered along their journey.

06/04/2026

ON THIS DAY: Joseph Field was one of the men unlucky enough to come face to face with a bear on the expedition. On June 4, 1805, he was out hunting alone as the other men set up camp, when they witnessed two grizzlies chase after him. Clark wrote “the bear was So near that it Struck his foot, and we were not in a Situation to give him assistance.” The rest of the party fired at the bear and it eventually left Joseph Field without injury.

He truly had unfortunate luck, as about a month later, Lewis recorded his second encounter, where he came across three more bears while hunting elk. In order to escape, he leapt down the riverbank and hid until they went away.

Grizzly bears were a new species for the expedition, and they were far larger and more dangerous than the black bears the explorers were familiar with.

05/25/2026

ON THIS DAY:
William Bratton suffered from severe back pain for several months in early 1806. Fortunately, he was eventually treated with a sweat bath created by John Shields. On May 24, 1806, Lewis wrote, “the patient was furnished with a vessell of water which he sprinkles on the bottom and sides of the hole and by that means creates as much steam or v***r as he could possibly bear, in this situation he was kept about 20 minutes after which he was taken out and suddonly plunged in cold water twise and was then immediately returned to the sweat hole” while drinking “copious draughts of a strong tea of horse mint”. Much like a modern day sauna treatment, he was able to almost fully recover in the coming weeks.

The plant featured in the photograph above is Bee Balm, most likely referred to as Horsemint in the journals of Lewis and Clark.

Learn more about the contributions of John Shields and the rest of the West Point members at the Lewis and Clark Education and Research Center.

05/18/2026

Come visit the seventh stop of the Lewis and Clark Education and Research Center Walking Trail!

Towering up to 205 feet, the western redcedar is prized for its strong, fragrant wood. It holds cultural significance among the First Nations of the Pacific Northwest, such as the Chinook and Tillamook Tribes. Expedition members’ journals document over 30 uses for redcedar. Its resinous wood serves for heating and cooking, while the bark, roots, and branches are woven into baskets, clothing, and more.

Starting at the West Point History Museum or vice versa, the walking trail takes visitors through the city with ten numbered panels along the way detailing the various flora the expedition discovered along their journey.

05/03/2026

Welcome to the Lewis and Clark Education and Research Center Walking Trail!

Follow the map to learn about ten of the plant species that Lewis and Clark encountered on their journey westward. A leisurely one-mile walk, the walking trail takes visitors from the West Point History Museum to the Lewis and Clark Education and Research Center or vice versa.

The map is also available on our website at the link in our bio! Come experience this unique outing!

04/27/2026

ON THIS DAY: While Lewis explored the confluence of the Yellowstone River with the Missouri River, Joseph Field was sent to scout the lower Yellowstone. On April 26, 1805, Clark reported, "Joseph Fields discovered a large Creek falling into the Yellowstone River on the S E Side 8 miles up," likely referring to the same location.

Learn more about Joseph Field and the rest of the West Point members at the Lewis and Clark Education and Research Center.

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