Thank you for your interest in the Eastern Legacy Special Resource Study. 

In 1978 Congress established Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail from Wood River, Illinois to the mouth 

of the Columbia River in Oregon and Washington. The National Park Service has been directed by Congress 

to conduct a Special Resource Study to assess the suitability and feasibility of extending the Lewis and Clark 

National Historic Trail to include sites associated with the preparation and return phases of the historic Lewis 

and Clark “Corps of Discovery” expedition. 

The current study area will investigate sites east of Wood River, from the Mississippi and Ohio Rivers to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and will include additional sites and overland routes followed by Meriwether Lewis and 

William Clark, whether independently or together, prior to and after the expedition. 

The planning team will review and consider existing conditions, previous studies that have identified 

significant sites, public input regarding desired conditions for these sites and will the assess the suitability 

and feasibility of extending the Trail to include Eastern Legacy sites. As part of this study, the planning team 

will also assess the methods and means for protection and interpretation of these sites by the National Park 

Service with other federal, state, local, private or non-profit partners following direction provided in the 1968 

National Trails System Act (as amended). 

Public input plays a critical role in this process and we invite you to participate in this study. Your observations, insights and comments are essential as we move through the process, ensuring the study takes into 

account potential opportunities and accurately reflects the concerns of the many communities and interested parties related to this possible Trail extension. Once the study is completed, Congress will make the final 

determination of what, if any, action it will take regarding an extension of the existing Trail. 

The National Park Service will be holding public meetings this fall 2010. Locations, dates and times for these 

meetings have been included in this newsletter. Meeting information and locations will also be publicly 

posted on the project website located at: http://parkplanning.nps.gov/eastern-legacy-srs

We encourage you to visit the website periodically for updates on the study, public meeting announcements 

and to view documents that are open for public comment. There will be multiple opportunities throughout 

the process for the public to provide comments and input on this noteworthy study.

Your input is important for the success of this study. We encourage you to take part in this process and look 

forward to hearing from you. Please join us at one of the upcoming public meetings. 

Lewis and Clark

Eastern Legacy

Special Resource Study

• Historical Significance 2

• Proposed Trail Map

• National Historic Trails 

• How to Participate

• Public Meetings

Fall 2010

Special Resource Study

Lewis and Clark-Eastern Legacy

Newsletter 1 • Fall 2010

National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior
PAGE 2

As early as 1783, Thomas Jefferson had considered 

exploring western North America. Following Jefferson’s election as president, it is generally believed 

that his appointment of Meriwether Lewis as his 

private secretary in 1801 was to prepare Lewis for an 

exploratory expedition across the continent. After 

Jefferson sent a secret message to Congress in early 

1803 asking for an appropriation of $2,500 to pay for 

an expedition up the Missouri River “for the purpose 

of extending the external commerce of the United 

States,” Lewis began preparing for the trip, studying navigation, surveying, botany, paleontology, 

mathematics, field medicine, while at the same time 

assembling and fabricating the necessary supplies in 

several Mid-Atlantic States. Between September and 

November 1803 Lewis travelled down the Ohio River 

from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, meeting William Clark 

in Louisville, Kentucky, recruiting expedition members along the way. Between November and December 1803, the growing team traveled up the Mississippi River to Wood River, Illinois north of St. Louis and 

across from the mouth of the Missouri River where 

they established winter quarters at Camp Dubois. 

The expedition formally began their mission up the 

Missouri River in May 1804 and did not return to St. 

Louis until September 1806. The documentation 

and mapping of a route or passage across North 

America was finally established with the successful 

completion of the Corps of Discovery expedition. 

Upon completion of the trip, Lewis and Clark 

travelled from St. Louis to Louisville, KY from 

September through November 1806. From 

Louisville, Lewis and Clark followed different paths at different times through Kentucky, 

over the Cumberland Gap and on to Virginia and 

Washington, DC. While travelling through Tennessee 

to Washington DC along the Natchez Trace in 1809, 

Lewis died from a gunshot wound. Lewis is buried 

in Lewis County, Tennessee. In 1810, Clark travelled 

to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to seek an editor and 

publisher for the recorded expedition journals. 

Historical Significance

City of Washington, 1801

Lewis and Clark Map

LEWIS AND CLARK EASTERN LEGACY SPECIAL RESOURCE STUDY NEWSLETTER 1 • FALL 2010
PAGE 3

Above: Capitol Building in Washington, 1800 Inset: President Jefferson, 1801

The journals were officially published in 1814, nearly 8 years 

after the completion of the expedition. Clark died in 1838 

and is buried in St. Louis, Missouri.

The contemporary Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail 

commemorates the official expedition from Wood River, 

Illinois and points west to 

the mouth of the Columbia 

River in Oregon, but does 

not include paths and travel 

routes taken by expedition 

members as part of the 

preparation and conclusion 

of the expedition. The Eastern Legacy Special Resource 

Study will assess and evaluate the eligibility of these 

resources. Above: Falls of the Ohio

LEWIS AND CLARK EASTERN LEGACY SPECIAL RESOURCE STUDY NEWSLETTER 1 • FALL 2010
PAGE 4

Feasibility is determined on the basis of an evaluation of 

whether or not it is physically possible to develop [or establish 

in the case of a water trail] a trail along the route being studied 

and whether such development would be financially feasible. 

The Eastern Legacy Special Resource Study will provide a 

conceptual delineation of the Lewis and Clark historic trail 

routes and will inventory currently known associated resources 

and public access sites. This study will evaluate alternatives for 

the protection and interpretation of associated sites along the 

study routes by the National Park Service, other federal, state, 

or local government agencies, or private or non-profit organizations. The final determination will be made by the Director of 

the National Park Service, who will forward the determination 

to the Secretary of the Interior for transmittal to Congress. Congress will then establish a final decision by vote as to whether 

or not the Trail should or will be extended. 

National Historic Trails

The National Trails System Act of 1968 provides a national system of scenic, historic and recreation trails. The Act states that 

“In order to provide for the ever-increasing outdoor recreation 

needs of an expanding population and in order to promote 

the preservation of, public access to, travel within, and enjoyment and appreciation of the open-air, outdoor areas and 

historic resources of the Nation, trails should be established (i) 

primarily, near the urban areas of the Nation, and (ii) secondarily, within scenic areas and along historic travel routes of the 

Nation which are often more remotely located”. 

National Historic Trails have as their purpose the identification 

and protection of historic routes, trail segments, associated 

historic remnant sites and artifacts for public use and enjoyment. National Historic Trails must be nationally significant, 

and they must offer interpretive or recreational opportunities to the public. National Historic Trails are not necessarily 

continuous. 

To qualify as a National Historic Trail, a Trail must meet three 

specific criteria outlined in the National Trail System Act. 

1. The trail must be an established and documented route following as closely as possible the historic route, 

2. It must be of national significance with respect to any of 

several broad facets of American history and have had a far 

reaching effect on broad patterns of American culture, 

3.It must have significant potential for public recreational use 

or historical interest based on historic interpretation and appreciation. 

Historic Pittsburgh

Clark Cabin near Louisville, Kentucky

Historic compass

LEWIS AND CLARK EASTERN LEGACY SPECIAL RESOURCE STUDY NEWSLETTER 1 • FALL 2010
The National Park Service (NPS) places a high value on 

public participation and strives to encourage participation 

in all aspects of decision-making. 

There will be several opportunities throughout the study 

process to provide comments, information, and opinions. 

Formal public comment opportunities will be during the 

public start-up, alternatives development, and when the 

formal Special Resource Study/Environmental Assessment 

is released for public review. Your ideas will be combined 

with resource analysis and NPS criteria to develop the 

study’s findings and recommendations.

We are now at the first stage of the study process, known 

as “scoping” and the public comment period for this stage 

of the study will be open through December 31, 2010. During this period, public meetings will be held throughout 

the study area. See below for dates, times, and locations. 

We look forward to hearing your ideas throughout the 

study process.

Public Meetings

PAGE 5

Get involved!

There are several ways to be involved in the proposed 

Trail extension, share your ideas, and provide us with 

pertinent information.

Here are some ways to do so:

• Visit the study web site:

http://parkplanning.nps.gov/eastern-legacy-srs 

• Sign-up for the study mailing list and/or e-mail list

• Send us your thoughts, comments, and information 

by letter, e-mail (mwroeastern_legacysrs@nps.gov), 

or through the study website.

• Attend public meetings to share information, discuss 

issues, concerns, and potential outcomes

Public Scoping comment period is open through 

December 31, 2010.

How to Participate in this Study

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

5:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Independence National Historical Park 

Independence Visitor Center

Liberty View Ballroom

One North Independence Mall West (6th St)

Philadelphia, PA 19106

(800) 537-7676 or (215) 597-8787

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. 

Sumner School Museum and Archives 

Great Hall 

1201 17th Street, N.W. 

Washington, D.C. 

(202) 730-0478

Thursday, December 9, 2010

5:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Lewis & Clark Exploratory Center 

Keel Boat Barn at Darden Towe Park 

Charlottesville, Virginia 22911 

(434) 979-2425

Thursday, November 4, 2010

5:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Campus Martius Museum 

601 Second Street 

Marietta, OH 45750 

(740) 373-3750 or

1-800-860-0145

Saturday, November 6, 2010

3:00 PM to 5:00 PM

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park 

Visitor Center

PO Box 1848 

Middlesboro, KY 40965 

(606) 248-2817

Monday, December 6, 2010

5:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Elizabeth Senior Citizens Center

206 3rd Street

Elizabeth, PA 15037

(412) 751-2880

Monday, November 1, 2010

5:00 PM to 7:00 PM 

The National Quilt Museum

215 Jefferson Street

Paducah, KY 42001

(270) 442-8856 

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

1:00 PM to 3:00 PM

Falls of the Ohio

State Park Interpretive Center

201 West Riverside Dr. 

Clarksville, IN 47129 

(812) 280-9970 

Wednesday, November 3, 2010

5:00 PM to 7:00 PM

Locust Grove

561 Blankenbaker Lane

Louisville, KY 40207

(502) 897-9845 

LEWIS AND CLARK EASTERN LEGACY SPECIAL RESOURCE STUDY NEWSLETTER 1 • FALL 2010
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

LEWIS AND CLARK NATIONAL HISTORIC TRAIL EXTENSION

601 RIVERFRONT DRIVE

OMAHA, NE 68102-4226

OFFICIAL BUSINESS

PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE $300

FIRST CLASS MAIL

POSTAGE AND FEES

P A I D

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE

PERMIT NO. G-83

TIME FRAME PLANNING ACTIVITY PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT

Summer-Fall 2010 Begin the Study

Assemble planning team, hold public meetings, 

gather project information and begin identifying 

associated sites

Attend the public meeting and share your thoughts and 

ideas. You can also use the comment form in this newsletter or provide comments directly through the project 

website at:

http://parkplanning.nps.gov/eastern-legacy-srs

Winter- Fall 2011 Develop Alternatives

Conduct preliminary significance, suitability, and 

feasibility evaluations. Draft preliminary management alternatives.

Attend the public meeting to share your comments on 

alternatives. You will receive another newsletter that 

describes the alternatives and includes a comment form.

Winter-Summer 2012 Analyze Alternatives and Produce Draft Study

Using feedback from the public on alternatives, 

analyze benefits, cost, and impact to identify the 

most desirable alternative. The result will be a 

draft of the study, including an environmental 

assessment.

Provide comments on the draft study/ environmental 

assessment.

Special Resource Study

Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Extension

Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania,

Maryland, Delaware, Washington D.C., Virginia, Tennessee

Newsletter 1 Fall 2010

National Park Service

U.S. Department of the Interior