On May 16, 1804, the Lewis & Clark Expedition began its journey west with a five-day stay in St. Charles. Then the last established settlement before venturing into the vast Louisiana Purchase territory, they gathered their final provisions and made last-minute adjustments to their journey. On the fifth day, they left in three large boats with hearty “Huzzahs” and firing of the guns.
The Departure Day Celebration marks the 222nd anniversary of the Lewis & Clark Expedition’s launch and is part of the nationwide America 250 commemoration. Join the festivities in St. Charles on May 16, 2026, from 11 AM to 5 PM at the Lewis & Clark Boat House and Museum. Enjoy discounted museum admission, interactive activities, and immersive experiences that bring the story of Lewis & Clark, and their connection to the region, to life.
Activities at the Departure Day Celebration
There are plenty of things to do in St. Charles, MO at the Departure Day Celebration. A full-sized replica of the expedition’s keelboat greets visitors outside the museum along with a historic camp of re-enactors that demonstrate essential 19th-century skills while showcasing period weapons used during the era. Enjoy music from the American Revolution performed by the Lewis & Clark Fife and Drum Corps as you explore.
“So much of history can feel abstract or distant,” Bob Foster, Executive Director of the Lewis and Clark Discovery Expedition and Boat House said. “Events like the Departure Day Celebration help bear witness to historic events and inspire people to imagine themselves in past eras.”
Continue to walk, or rather, paddle, in Lewis & Clark’s shoes and head out onto the Missouri River with Big Muddy Adventures, where you can climb aboard a voyageur-style canoe and experience the Mighty Mo for yourself. Experienced fishermen will be on shore to share tips on how to catch catfish from the river for your next adventure.
Back on shore, learn more about St. Charles history with insights from the local Daughters of the American Revolution chapter. Then watch the expedition’s story come to life on screen with a special showing of “The Journey Continues”, a short film based on the journals of the expedition’s captains and members, followed by a discussion with the director.
“We’re very proud to be located right on the Missouri River where the expedition began and to help people envision what the river and its people were like 250 years ago,” Foster said. “We want to use this as an opportunity to open our doors to the community, especially those who haven’t heard of the museum before or have always wondered what the big building on the riverfront was.”
Participate in museum scavenger hunts throughout the day, attend a conversation and book signing with author, Jeffrey S. Ton, and watch the Exploring for Laughs history-themed improv show, in addition to exploring the Lewis & Clark Boat House and Museum’s exhibits and gift shop.
How to Celebrate America 250 in St. Charles
Get a head start on celebrating America 250 in St. Charles at the Departure Day Celebration. “The Lewis and Clark Expedition was the brainchild and dream of Thomas Jefferson, a Founding Father and author of the Declaration of Independence. We are celebrating the achievement of his dream and the history of St. Charles,” Foster said.
Enjoy a taste of history with samples of various spirits from StilL 630 Distillery. Each spirit is America 250 themed and uniformed re-enactors will demonstrate how whiskey was rationed to the men of the expedition.
This St. Charles event connects the past to the present through immersive experiences, educational programming, and interactive exhibits. Visit and feel a renewed sense of pride in St. Charles’ role in this defining chapter of American history.