SPRINGFIELD — Secretary of State and State Librarian Jesse White announced today that the Illinois State Library has received a planning grant for a collaborative statewide program observing the cultural and historical significance of the Lewis and Clark expedition.
The Lewis and Clark expedition began 200 years ago with the creation of a camp near what is now known as Wood River in Madison County. "Setting Forth: The Lewis and Clark Expedition in Illinois Libraries and Museums" will be funded by a $35,750 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, with an additional $29,447 provided by the State Library. The Lewis and Clark expedition began in the Illinois Country in 1803, and White said the program would focus on the Illinois aspect of the historic journey.
"The expedition of Meriwether Lewis, William Clark and their Corps of Discovery was the first great adventure in our nation's history, opening America to westward expansion," White said. "The Lewis and Clark Bicentennial affords us the chance to remember one of the most significant events in American history, and to celebrate Illinois' role in this historic achievement. I am especially excited about the opportunity to use this program to educate our children about this momentous event."
White said the centerpiece of the program would be a single book about Lewis and Clark that will be selected to be read and discussed throughout Illinois. Book talks will be held in Illinois libraries, museums and other venues, and a bibliography of Lewis and Clark materials for individuals of varying ages will be developed. A traveling exhibit and an exhibit that will posted on the Internet will also be developed to complement the program. The Internet exhibit will be designed to contain a strong educational component. The program will run from May 2003 to April 2004.
White thanked the Illinois State Museum, the Lewis and Clark Library System and the Illinois Center for the Book for serving with the Illinois State Library as partners in the planning of the program. Also participating on the project team are representatives of Illinois Read (I-READ), the statewide children and young adult reading initiative; the Illinois State Library Talking Book and Braille Service; the Newberry Library; the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; and the Illinois Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Commission.
PROGRAMS