Good morning Facebook Friends and Followers! Another beautiful day it appears to be along parts of the Virginia Lewis and Clark Legacy Trail today!
We are happy to share photos of a few examples of Lewis and Clark-themed Virginia Historical Markers with Lewis and Clark supplemental plaques that were installed throughout the state along trail routes the week of September 18 through September 22. Here is a brief summary of why and how they were installed.
The Virginia Lewis & Clark Legacy Trail (VLCLT) initiative began thirteen years ago. It has been developed and implemented with collaboration and assistance from Virginia state departments, local governments, historical societies, and civic organizations. Today, there are fifteen counties, six cities and many towns on the trail’s pathway which are actively participating on the trail. Volunteer VLCLT-designated County/City Chairs coordinate Lewis & Clark-related activities at the local level.
The trail route is dotted with historical sites and locations many of which have already been proven and officially authorized as Lewis and /or Clark-connected by standards of the Virginia Department of Historic Resources’ (DHR) Historical Highway Marker Program. In 2022, the Virginia General Assembly approved funding for Lewis and Clark signage that included both an approved Virginia Historical Marker and Lewis and Clark Plaque attached below the marker’s panel. Del. Terry Austin and other state legislators are to be thanked for their roles and support of this trail project that is enlightening Virginia citizens and traveling guests about the amazing history of both Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to and in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
At the time the VLCLT’s signage project began, the Virginia Department of Historic Resources had already awarded twelve historical Lewis & Clark-related markers to eight localities: Caroline County (3); Spotsylvania County (1); Albemarle (2) and Augusta (1) Counties; Botetourt (1) and Montgomery Counties (1); as well as the Cities of Bristol (1) and Charlottesville (2). These existing historical markers as well as all future Lewis & Clark-related historical markers will have the Lewis & Clark supplemental plaque attached.
During the week of September 18 th., nine of the following historical markers had the Lewis and Clark Plaque attached. The following is a list of those markers and their respective county or city:
1. William Clark Birthplace/E-100_2 (Caroline)
2. Clark Family Farm/E-99 (Caroline)
3. Spotsylvania County/Caroline County
4. Birthplace of Meriwether Lewis/W-161 (Albemarle)
5. Birthplace of George Rogers Clark/W-199 (Albemarle)
6. John Colter/JD-15 (Augusta)
7. Santillane/D-32 (Botetourt)
8. Fotheringay/K-67 (Montgomery)
9. Walnut Grove Plantation/K-123 (Bristol)
The other three historical markers receiving plaques include two in Charlottesville, The Farm/Q-27, and the Stone Tavern and Central Hotel/Q-20. The 12 th. plaque will be placed on a replacement marker in the near future with new text recently approved by Virginia’s DHR for York, William Clark’s slave who made extraordinary contributions to the Expedition. This historical marker and plaque is located in Caroline County.
The Virginia Lewis and Clark Legacy Trail, Inc. wishes to thank VDOT’s contracted partners for installing the nine plaques, the City of Charlottesville for installing their plaques, and all VLCLT County/City Chairs for their coordination of this special activity, as needed, at the local levels.
Applications to the Virginia DHR for other historical markers with Lewis and Clark plaques are in the works or have been approved. We will keep you apprised about when and where these educational markers are installed along the Virginia Lewis and Clark Legacy Trail. All historical markers will also be added to the trail ‘s website in the future. In the meantime, if you are traveling in the State of Virginia and see a marker with plaque, know that you are either on the Virginia Lewis and Clark Trail or traveling along one of its side routes.
Thank you for being a faithful follower of the Virginia Lewis and Clark Legacy Trail.
