EXPLORING THE EXPLORERS: LEWIS AND CLARK’S ADVENTURES COME TO LIFE
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA (Sept. 20, 2010) — Meriwether Lewis and William Clark set out in May 1804 to explore and map the American West. They initially were accompanied by a crew of men, and later, by the Shoshone Indian guide and interpreter, Sacajawea, and her infant son. Lewis and Clark travelled by river and by land from St. Louis, Mo. to the Oregon coast, and back again.
Lewis and Clark’s remarkable adventure can be examined and revisited at Mission San Juan Capistrano’s temporary museum exhibit “Lewis & Clark Expedition Across America,” starting with the public opening of the exhibit on Nov. 1 from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. The exhibit will be open until March of 2011.
The new exhibit also features a special added photography exhibit, “Lewis and Clark Revisited: A Trail in Modern Day.” This secondary exhibit was organized by Greg MacGregor and the California Exhibition Resources Alliance (CERA), and is an immersive educational experience, offering visitors a chance to become the original corpsmen of the Lewis & Clark Expedition.
Visitors of all ages will find something in the exhibit to enjoy whether it is the photo exhibit for adults or more interactive stations for the students. The engaging stations will bring students along the trail’s highlights allowing them to explore animal and plant life of the prairies, Native American Nations, and leave with an understanding of the challenges the Corps of Discovery met on their journey.
“There’s something for everyone in this exhibit,” said Mechelle Lawrence-Adams, Executive Director of the Mission. “Children will enjoy experiencing some of the trials Lewis and Clark encountered along the trails, and parents will enjoy the photography exhibit of the trails as they appear today.”
The press are welcomed to a private showing of the exhibit on Friday, Oct. 29 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. A preview for Mission members will be held on Saturday, Oct. 30 from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
The “Lewis and Clark Revisited: A Trail in Modern Day” exhibition tour was organized by Greg MacGregor and the California Exhibition Resources Alliance (CERA). CERA is a network of professionally operated museums and cultural organizations that collaborate to create and tour smaller, affordable high quality exhibitions that enhance civic engagement and human understanding. CERA is supported by generous grants from The James Irvine Foundation and The William Randolph Hearst Foundation.
About Mission San Juan Capistrano:
Known as the “Jewel of the Missions,” Mission San Juan Capistrano is a historic landmark and museum that boasts of quality permanent exhibits featuring original artifacts as well as traveling and temporary exhibits on a wide variety of topics.
The site itself serves as a living outdoor museum with original buildings constructed by Native Americans in the 18th century including the Serra Chapel, Great Stone Church, and the original padres’ quarters of the South Wing.
The Mission was founded on November 1, 1776 by Padre Junipero Serra as the seventh in the chain of the twenty-one California missions established by Spain, and is Orange County’s only mission. Every year, over 50,000 students visit the Mission and engage in an inspirational learning experience via the Mission Matters programming, as part of their State required California history studies.
Mission San Juan Capistrano is owned by the Diocese of Orange and is supported by the Mission Preservation Foundation, which is comprised of business and community leaders committed to ensuring the long term preservation and viability of Orange County’s only Mission. The Mission receives no funding from either the Church or the State of California and charges admission funds as a means of providing public access.
Mission San Juan Capistrano is located at 26801 Ortega Highway, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675. Open Daily 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Good Friday afternoon. Admission is $9 adults; $8 seniors (60 years or over); $5 children (ages 4 to 11); and children ages 3 and under are admitted free. Free audio guide with senior and adult admission. For more information, call (949) 234-1300 or visit www.missionsjc.com
