{"id":1872,"date":"2026-03-06T20:09:38","date_gmt":"2026-03-06T20:09:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lewisandclarkboathouse.org\/?page_id=1872"},"modified":"2026-03-06T20:13:24","modified_gmt":"2026-03-06T20:13:24","slug":"2025-report-to-the-community","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/lewisclarkmuseum.org\/?page_id=1872","title":{"rendered":"2025 Report to the Community"},"content":{"rendered":"<h1><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Annual Report to the Community<\/span><\/h1>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2025 marked the 40th Anniversary of the opening of the Lewis and Clark Museum on Main Street.\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We continue to see momentum as we build for the future.\u00a0 Here\u2019s a roundup of 2025 and preview of 2026!<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Record-setting paid attendance<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">River Re-enactments<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Expanded docent program<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Historic Hawken Rifles<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Major building enhancements<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stellar reviews online<\/span><b><br \/>\n<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Connecting Lewis &amp; Clark to the Community<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Lewis &amp; Clark Boat House and Museum welcomed 22,373\u00a0 museum visitors, from all 50 states and more than 40 countries; from tiny Bulgaria to distant Malaysia.\u00a0 We\u2019re at the center of community celebrations, such as the Festival of the Little Hills and the Hawken Classic, the finish line for hundreds of paddlers in the MR-340, a regular partner with the\u00a0 St. Charles Convention and Visitors Bureau and school field trips, senior centers, and tours.\u00a0 We\u2019ve opened the doors to culinary masterpieces, Methodist ministers and ABC 20\/20 producers!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Partnerships and collaborations<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Continuing a year of partnerships with like-minded organizations, we began 2026 with a \u201cFirst Day Hike\u201d with the First Missouri State Capitol Historic Site, for intrepid history buffs.\u00a0 In other meetups, we held a joint educators meeting with the First State Capitol, offered career advice to history classes from the University of Missouri\u2019s St. Louis and Kansas City campuses and Lindenwood University, welcomed St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer during the MR-340, staffed a table at the Gateway Outdoor Expo and judged entries in Missouri\u2019s High School History Day.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>History on Display<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Look for new displays soon, thanks to a $7,000 grant from Lewis and Clark Trail Stewardship Endowment: A National Council of the Lewis &amp; Clark Expedition Bicentennial Legacy Project.\u00a0 We\u2019ll dive into three aspects of the expedition: 1) Lewis &amp; Clark and Missouri Natives, 2) The Expedition and Global Trade and 3) The Weapons Particular to the Expedition.\u00a0 We\u2019re also planning to display pressed plants important to the expedition, thanks to donations from John Fisher.\u00a0 And look for the newest \u2013 and oldest \u2013 addition to our collection: A ring once owned by George Rogers Clark!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Bringing History to Life<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In milestone adventures, we had the keelboat and a full complement of re-enactors on the Missouri River bank for the Lewis &amp; Clark Trail Alliance meeting in Kansas City. \u00a0 We also brought history to life in Natchez, MS, as part of commemorations of Lafayette\u2019s return.\u00a0 Closer to home, thanks to a grant from Conservation Legacy and Americorps we had a full time docent and our second for-college-credit docent.\u00a0 This month, we have our first for-credit Graduate Student docent, from the University of Missouri-St. Louis.\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><b>Hawken Classic: 200 years of history<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">A premier rifle of the early 1800s, the Hawken rifle was made in Missouri and cherished by early settlers and mountain men.\u00a0 In May, our multi-year celebration of the fabled rifle culminated with the bicentennial, bringing more than 1,000 visitors to the Boat House to drool over priceless antique rifles (actual drool not allowed), fire a vintage rifle\u00a0 and learn from expert historians &#8211; and a horse!<\/span><b><br \/>\n<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><b>Changes at the Top<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We welcomed Larry Boschen as Vice Chair and soldiered through a much-needed update of the organizational bylaws,\u00a0 We enter 2026 with a renewed silver certification for transparency and reporting from Candid (Guidestar), the premier non-profit reporting organization.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Gift Shop Goodness<\/b><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Record-setting gift shop sales were a testament to new seasonal items such as custom Seaman Christmas ornaments, greeting cards featuring our fleet on the river by the Museum, locally sourced items such as custom-etched Keelboat models and history books, and a remarkable assortment of educational and National Park-themed items.\u00a0 We hear often that people consider the gift shop a destination on its own!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Home Sweet Home<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We love our riverside location, but as early explorers knew well, the elements can be brutal.\u00a0 We replaced most of our aging HVAC system and are preparing for a full roof replacement.\u00a0 We continued upgrading to energy-efficient lighting, and refined the spaces to better host events such as the Missouri Conservation Heritage Foundation, Ozark Land Trust, Missouri State Parks Cultural Resource Officers, Business Owners International, Les Amis St. Louis French Heritage Society, Ameristar Employees, and the Missouri Methodist Church<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Special requests for 2026<\/strong><b><br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Calling history enthusiasts, riverfolk and adventurers \u2013 if you are interested in getting hands-on in telling history aboard and around our magnificent boats, we\u2019d love to talk to you.\u00a0 We\u2019re seeking volunteers to (literally) learn the ropes and dress the part as we get the boats onto the river and expand our educational mission.\u00a0 To get involved, call 636-947-3199 or email <\/span><a href=\"mailto:director@lewisandclarkboathouse.org\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">director@lewisandclarkboathouse.org<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><b>Chairman\u2019s Report to the Membership: By Jan Donelson<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>2026<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is here, the America 250 milestone.\u00a0 This is just the reason to be proactive!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><\/b><b>Steamboat Treasures:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0 The Mayor of St. Charles has a vision to make an area across the parking lot from the Boathouse a museum of \u201csteamboat treasures\u201d. \u00a0 The facility would have artifacts from all over, with exhibits and displays, becoming a major tourist destination. We should know by the end of summer what the verdict will be on his vision for the \u201cSteamboat Treasures of America\u201d educational center.\u00a0 Wouldn\u2019t it go nicely with a Lewis &amp; Clark National Interpretive Center next door?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Partners:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0 Last week, I reconnected with my contacts at Bass Pro about 2026.\u00a0 I can say it was a very positive discussion with some promising leads.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Film Series:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> With the right publication, use, and distribution I believe we could expand our influence in the Lewis &amp; Clark community and certainly beyond. \u00a0 We have 12 episodes with loads of content to promote.\u00a0 This year is the prime time to use multi-media to the fullest extent.\u00a0 <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><b>On the Road:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> For that reason I will be traveling to my hometown community of Palmyra to give presentations later this month.\u00a0 It\u2019s not only the burial site of George Shannon, with a monument in the courthouse yard, but home to members like Gary Stulhman, my sister\u2019s women\u2019s group and others. I really want to use this opportunity as something of a beta test for the films and market test on presenting.\u00a0 Other events that are in discussions are Atchison, KS, Pittsburgh, PA and home base in St. Charles.\u00a0 Stay tuned as we work on details.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Patrons: \u00a0 <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Additionally, Lotsie Holton is a wonderful force to reckon with.\u00a0 Her enthusiasm is contagious.\u00a0 Discussions have focused on another addition\/renovation to the Boathouse, increasing space that would involve a capital campaign with matching grant for funding.\u00a0 We\u2019ll share more details as we progress.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Co-Chair: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Larry Boschen has agreed to serve in the Vice Chair position.\u00a0 Larry\u2019s dedication has certainly proven his worth and ability for this position and I look forward to his help.\u00a0 Most know he is immensely talented.\u00a0 Later this month, our board will have a Strategic Planning meeting and we will seek ways to build and reach new audiences.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As you can see this could be a banner year for the living history portion of the organization. Don\u2019t forget we host the MR-340 Canoe and Kayak Race July 28-31 and expect to be called back for Festival of the Little Hills\u00a0 August\u00a0 21-23.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Thank you all for what you do.\u00a0 As \u201cWe Proceed On!\u201d<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Jan Paul Donelson, Chairman<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Annual Report to the Community 2025 marked the 40th Anniversary of the opening of the Lewis and Clark Museum on Main Street.\u00a0 We continue to see momentum as we build for the future.\u00a0 Here\u2019s a roundup of 2025 and preview of 2026! Record-setting paid attendance River Re-enactments Expanded docent program [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":29,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_uf_show_specific_survey":0,"_uf_disable_surveys":false,"spay_email":""},"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lewisclarkmuseum.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1872"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lewisclarkmuseum.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lewisclarkmuseum.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lewisclarkmuseum.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lewisclarkmuseum.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1872"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/lewisclarkmuseum.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1872\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1875,"href":"https:\/\/lewisclarkmuseum.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1872\/revisions\/1875"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lewisclarkmuseum.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/29"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lewisclarkmuseum.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1872"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}