Documents Relating to the History of

the Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation

In 2014, we will observe the 50th anniversary of the establishment by Congress of the Lewis and Clark Trail Commission.  The Commission worked for five years to identify and mark the Lewis and Clark Trail, advance public awareness of the significance of the expedition, and encourage conservation and outdoor recreation objectives along the expedition route.  In 1969, the Commission issued its final report with a number of far-reaching objectives, including the establishment of one or more groups “to further the broad program developed by the Commission.”  In that same year, individuals who had served on the Commission and its state committees established the Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation as the main group to succeed the Commission.

Given the 50-year history of the two groups, it seems an appropriate time to consider the people who made these things happen.  Thus, I have gathered a number of documents that illuminate those efforts.  I hope a historian can use them to craft an interesting and comprehensive account of the Commission and especially the Foundation.

Bob Gatten,

August 2011