In the year 1803, Thomas Jefferson bought a large expanse of new land from France, called the Louisiana Purchase. Thomas Jefferson needed explorers to go explore this new part of America.

He chose his personal secretary, Meriwether Lewis, to lead an expedition to map out the new West, and find a trade route to the Pacific Ocean.

Although a great artist and writer, Lewis knew little about surviving in the wilderness, so he needed the help of an experienced explorer.

He chose William Clark, a childhood friend, and an experienced frontiersman, and a small team of explorers to help in his travels.

After meeting in St. Louis, Missouri, Lewis, Clark and their men, traveled in three boats on the Missouri River to the West.

Along the way, Lewis frequently drew detailed pictures of new plants, locations and wildlife. Before the expedition, most colonial people had never seen a buffalo, grizzly bear or certain types of fish.

At times, some of their 45 men traveled back to East, in order to deliver the new discoveries to Thomas Jefferson. They even brought back a prairie dog, or as Lewis called it, a barking squirrel! What a gift!

Lewis and Clark's expedition took 2 years, 4 months and 10 days. They covered over 8,000 miles and created about 140 maps. Most of the maps were created by William Clark, who was an excellent and detailed mapmaker. They also collected 30 maps from Native Americans, and fur traders, along their travels.