Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center: A Journey into the Corps of Discovery

The Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center in Sioux City, Iowa, offers an immersive journey into the history of the Corps of Discovery's expedition. The center focuses on the expedition's time in the present-day Sioux City area from late July to early September 1804. A key focus of the exhibits is the death and burial of Sergeant Charles Floyd on August 20, 1804, the only U.S. soldier to die west of the Mississippi River during the expedition. The 20,000-square-foot complex features a range of interactive exhibits, including animatronic figures of Thomas Jefferson, Captains Lewis and Clark, Sergeant Floyd, and Seaman, Lewis's Newfoundland dog. Visitors can explore the Corps of Discovery's Keelboat, a replica of the barge used by the expedition. The adjacent Betty Strong Encounter Center hosts free photo and art exhibitions, programs, and activities exploring the land, rivers, and people of the region. The center also provides a space for dialogue about how diverse people can live together and how to care for the land, the Missouri River, and other natural resources. The outdoor campus features a 30-by-50-foot U.S. flag atop a 150-foot flagpole and a 14-foot-tall bronze sculpture, “Spirit of Discovery,” depicting Lewis, Clark, and Seaman. Visitors can also see bronze statues of animals encountered by the Lewis and Clark Expedition.