Dianne Moran-Historic Voices

Voices From the Lewis and Clark Trail: “Meriwether Lewis, Soldier in the Mist”

Performance - Social Studies GLEs 3, 5, & 7
“Come trek with me, I’ll tell you about my son as we walk here among the trees.”  From the words of Lucy Lewis Marks, Meriwether Lewis’ mother we will be ushered into the past of over 200 years ago and glimpse the personal life of her famous son.  Listen as Lucy leads us on the forest path of his Virginia childhood, through his school years and into the office of President Thomas Jefferson as his personal secretary.  She’ll share her son’s journal highlights as he and William Clark lead the Corps of Discovery to the West…a place where dragons lie and the world acclaim he receives on their return.  A darker Meriwether emerges as Lucy laments his deep personal problems upon reentry to the civilized world.  A soldier and true Patriot to his untimely end in 1809, we listen as Lucy celebrates the incredible legacy of her son…Captain Meriwether Lewis, of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.  An expedition reproduction display is included as well as a live snake of the type encountered and written about by Lewis in Nebraska in 1804.
4th – Adults/Customized to Curriculum, Character Education/Team Building, Critical Thinking/Problem Solving, History/Social Studies, Science/Ecology, Missouri/St. Louis History, Multiculturalism, Theater.

Workshop - Social Studies GLEs 3, 5, & 7
The 60 minute workshop begins with a first person portrayal of a St. Louis woman who wonders what has happened to Captain Lewis after his return from the West.  Two students will dress as Lewis and Sacagawea while volunteers help identify expedition soldier accoutrements and Plains Indian cultural items.  The program concludes with a live snake, the same species Lewis wrote about in his journal in 1804.
4th – Adults/Character Education/Team Building, Critical Thinking/Problem Solving, Science/Ecology, Missouri/St. Louis History, Multiculturalism, Theater, Customized to Curriculum.

Residency - Social Studies GLEs 3, 5, & 7
During these three sessions Dianne shares information on the expedition plus an intimate look into the life of Captain Meriwether Lewis.  Students dress each day as Lewis and the key people in his life and keep their own “Expedition” journals.  Day 1 begins with Lewis’ mother recollecting her son’s childhood and students portray Lewis’ friends and family in authentic dress.  Day 2 finds Lewis a grown man and soldier.  He meets Lt. William Clark and is asked to become President Jefferson’s personal secretary.  Jefferson and Lewis begin plans for the Expedition.  Day 3  highlights the expedition and Lewis’ return to St. Louis as a hero and the events leading to his death.  Students are left with a question to ponder as they judge how Lewis met his death.  The residency concludes on a high note as students see a demonstration of primitive fire making and a live snake, like the one Lewis writes about in his 1804 journal.
4th – Adults/Character Education and Team Building, Communication Arts, Critical Thinking/Problem Solving, Science/Ecology, MO/St. Louis History, Multiculturalism, Theater, Customized to Curriculum.

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