"The object of your mission is to explore the
Missouri river, & such principal stream of it, as, by it's course
& communication with the water of the Pacific ocean may offer the
most direct & practicable water communication across this continent,
for the purposes of commerce."
"Given under my hand at the city of Washington, this 20th. day
of June 1803."
Th:Jefferson, Pr. U.S. of America
Letter to Merriwether Lewis
What were Jefferson’s reasons for wanting to explore the West?
How and why did the United States obtain the Louisiana Purchase?
Were there other American attempts–before and after–to explore the west?
How active was the fur trade in North Dakota before Lewis and Clark?
Address:
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Bismarck, North Dakota 58505
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Hours:
State Museum and Store: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. M-F; Sat. & Sun. 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
We are closed New Year's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving Day, and Christmas Day. We are closed at noon Christmas Eve if it falls on Mon.-Thurs. and are closed all day if it falls on Fri.-Sun.
State Archives: 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. M-F, except state holidays; 2nd Sat. of each month, 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Appointments are recommended. To schedule an appointment, please contact us at 701.328.2091 or archives@nd.gov.
State Historical Society offices: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. M-F, except state holidays.
Contact Us:
phone: 701.328.2666
email: history@nd.gov
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