We checked out a Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center and Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site and got a taste of the Midwest perspective on 1800ish history.  Both places tell the stories of interaction and treatment of First nations Peoples, fur trading times, and the Lewis and Clark journey.  The InterpretiveCenter has a great collection of items actually carried by the Lewis and Clark exploration party.  There is lots of talk of the scientific method of the note taking and sketching.  It is well done.

A reproduction of Fort Mandan is nearby along the Knife River.  The Fort was originally built next to Hidatsa and Mandan Indian villages and is where Lewis and Clark spent the winter on their journey West.   Historians (at least some of them) say Sakakwea was Hidatsa and joined the expedition here.  Our interpretive ranger did a great job painting a picture of life at Mandan that winter.

Seaman, Lewis’s Newfoundland

There is a wonderful statue of the faithful companion, Seaman.