CLARKSTON, Wash. — The Washington State Society Daughters of the American Revolution will rededicate a historical marker this month to commemorate the 220th anniversary of the Lewis and Clark Expedition’s entry into present-day Washington — an event made possible through the generosity of the Nimiipuu (Nez Perce) people.
The ceremony is set for Sunday, Sept. 28, at Granite Lake Park on the south bank of the Snake River in Clarkston, near the spot where the Corps of Discovery camped in 1805. The event begins at 8:45 a.m. and will feature historical reflections, a wreath-laying ceremony, and readings from the journals of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark.
Organizers say the marker is meant to honor both the expedition and the Nimiipuu, whose aid proved vital to the explorers’ survival.
“This marker is a tribute not just to exploration, but to cooperation and shared history,” said Carrie Venable Byrd, state historian for the Washington State DAR. “The compassion and knowledge offered by the Nimiipuu to the exhausted Corps of Discovery in October 1805 made the continued westward journey to the Pacific Ocean possible.”
After crossing the Bitterroot Mountains, the Corps arrived at the confluence of the Clearwater and Snake Rivers weak and malnourished. The Nimiipuu welcomed them with food, healing, and critical guidance on the route ahead. Just over a month later, the explorers reached the Pacific Ocean.
The DAR says the rededication not only preserves history but also underscores the enduring role of Indigenous peoples in shaping America’s story.
The ceremony will take place rain or shine and is open to the public.
