Lewis and Clark Exploratory Center of Virginia Inc.

MISSION: Located on the banks of the Rivanna River in Darden Towe Park in Charlottesville, Virginia, the Lewis & Clark Exploratory Center is a hands-on center focusing on the historic expedition as a gateway for learning about exploration, transportation, the arts, science, the natural environment, and native cultures.

EXPEDITION: Conceived by Thomas Jefferson, the Lewis & Clark Expedition (1804-1806) was led by Meriwether Lewis, who was born in Albemarle County, and by William Clark, whose family lived for years in Albemarle County on land adjacent to the Lewis & Clark Exploratory Center site.

We lead art projects for both children and adults as a way to interpret history, the environment, and science, using the Lewis and Clark journals as inspiration, journals that included drawings, written accounts, and mapmaking. Art that involves carpentry is also a focus. Carpentry projects have included boats as art installations and 3-D mapmaking.