Thomas Jefferson had been interested in exploring the west well before the 1803 Louisiana Purchase from France. During the 1780's and 1790's, he championed a few failed attempts at such an exploration. Believing the United States needed to expand west to help ensure its survival and prosperity, he jumped at the chance to buy Louisiana from France’s Napoleon Bonaparte. Plans were immediately made to explore the new acquisition and establish American claims to the vast region, an area which effectively doubled the size of the United States. Aside from obvious political reasons, Jefferson, as a child of the Enlightenment ,was an immensely inquisitive individual. The exploration would provide a wealth of information on everything from flora and fauna to geography to the inhabitants.
Address:
612 East Boulevard Ave.
Bismarck, North Dakota 58505
Get Directions
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
Social Media:
See all social media accounts
