Ten wall panels designed to be viewed sequentially. The Archaeology of Pike's Fort. Tells the story of U.S. military expedition led by Zebulon Pike to the Mississippi Headwaters in 1804-05, concurrent with the Lewis and Clark expedition to the Pacific. Pike and his party wintered in a small fort built near Little Falls. The remains of Pike's Fort were found and excavated by the IMA in 1984-85.
Exhibit combines the historical and archaeological records.
Two flags are included. Tells the story of how archaeologists have studied the rich archaeological heritage in the Red Wing locality during the last 140 years. Underlying theme is that although materials and data do not change, perceptions of the past conveyed by them do change. The story of Pike's journey to the Mississippi headwaters has been known only from his journal, his maps, and local folklore surrounding his Minnesota wintering quarters, Pike's Fort. In 1984 the lowering of a reservoir created by the modern Blanchard Dam exposed the site and led IMA archaeologist Douglas A. Birk to find and excavate it.