More than 1,100 people celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Missouri River Basin Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center this past weekend.

On Friday, August 25, almost 600 students, teachers and chaperones participated in a special Living History Day that focused on activities at the Center’s new fort, which is still under construction.

Students could explore 12 different sites and visit with 15 re-enactors, said Center Executive Director Doug Friedli, including boatmen, buckskinners, trappers, hide skinners, woodworkers, blacksmiths, soldiers, rope makers, and mountain men.

On Saturday and Sunday, August 26 and 27, visitors could pet a large black Newfoundland dog, very similar to the dog Meriwether Lewis had with him on the Expedition in 1803-1806, said Friedli.

“We are very pleased that over 1,100 people were able to visit the Lewis & Clark Center during the four days of our 20th Anniversary Celebration!” he said. “It was by far the largest attendance since our grand opening in July 2004.”

Four more schools are scheduled to come on Friday, September 20, for a similar event, because they could not be accommodated during the anniversary celebration.