University of Montana professor Harry Fritz suggested to a fledgling group of aficionados in western Montana that they form a chapter of the Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation.
Nine people were at the first meeting, on May 8, 1987. Bill Reich was elected president. Fritz became the first vice president.
The Travelers' Rest chapter, some 160 members strong, commemorates its 20th anniversary Thursday night at 7 p.m. at the Lolo Community Center - not far from Travelers' Rest State Park on Lolo Creek, the only scientifically documented campsite on the Lewis and Clark Expedition's route.
It will be a celebration of success, said current president Mike Wallace.
“We are the only chapter to discover and scientifically authenticate a Lewis and Clark campsite, to move a national historic landmark, to host Corps II three times and to find the grave of Lolo. Is that not success?” Wallace said. “We are an absolute model for community service and how to get things done.”
The Lewis and Clark Expedition's bicentennial, which wrapped up last year, was in the distant future when Fritz gave the keynote address at the first meeting 20 years ago. He'll do it again Thursday, speaking about the legacy of the bicentennial at 7:45 p.m.
Three others who played big parts in the nationwide celebration will be on hand. Hal Stearns, a retired Missoula history teacher and brigadier general in the Montana Army National Guard, will touch on military aspects of the expedition.
Stephanie Ambrose Tubbs will give her recollections of the Lewis and Clark trail. An author and member of the national heritage foundation board, Tubbs is the daughter of the late Stephen Ambrose, perhaps the best-known modern Lewis and Clark researcher.
Bob Bergantino, a Montana Tech professor, will receive special recognition and an award. Bergantino, who spent more than three decades mapping the Lewis and Clark route, was the first to suggest that the Travelers' Rest landmark had been placed too close to the mouth of Lolo Creek on the Bitterroot River.
Starting in 1999, an archaeological team led by Dan Hall worked with the Travelers' Rest chapter and others to establish the exact site 2 1/2 miles up the creek. Last year, the national landmark was moved to Travelers' Rest State Park.
“It was Bob Bergantino 20 or so years ago who said Travelers' Rest should be here, and he was right,” Wallace said. “I don't feel Bob has ever been given his due for that. So we're going to give Bob some really nice things and a nice acknowledgement.”
Reporter Kim Briggeman can be reached at 523-5266 or at kbriggeman@missoulian.com.
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