The Lewis & Clark Trust, in collaboration with the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail and the City of West Point, Kentucky, is developing a new Lewis and Clark Education and Interpretive Center in one of the most significant but often overlooked locations on the expedition’s route.
Historical Significance
On October 26–27, 1803, Meriwether Lewis arrived at West Point, Kentucky during his journey down the Ohio River. It was here that several critical members of the Corps of Discovery were recruited, including:
- John Shields — The expedition’s blacksmith and gunsmith, a West Point native whose skills proved essential throughout the journey
- Joseph and Reuben Field — Brothers and skilled hunters who became indispensable members of the Corps
West Point sits at the confluence of the Salt River and the Ohio River, a strategic location that made it a natural gathering point for frontier commerce and travel.
The Interpretive Center
The planned Education and Interpretive Center will:
- Promote sustainable, community-engaged tourism in the Ohio Valley
- Provide storytelling and educational enrichment about the eastern origins of the expedition
- Interpret West Point’s role in recruiting expedition members and supplying the Corps
- Connect to the broader Eastern Legacy Trail Initiative, which documents the often-overlooked eastern portion of the Lewis and Clark story
West Point has been recognized as a Preserve America Community by the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation for its commitment to Lewis and Clark heritage preservation.
Veterans Memorial Park
Veterans Memorial Park in West Point, located on the Ohio River, marks the stretch traveled by Lewis, Clark, and the Corps of Discovery. The park serves as both a community gathering space and a memorial to the area’s deep connections to American exploration and military service.