Lewis and Clark Trail Museum

Lewis and Clark Trail Museum Lewis and Clark Trail Museum recognizes, honors, and preserves the story of Lewis and Clark and the homesteaders who followed as we look to the future.
(1)

The main museum building was a school in Alexander from 1914 until 1967 when discussions began toward the foundation of a museum. The building itself is an important artifact; it is a beautiful 3 story brick building that still stands out today. The inside of the building is majestic and has the largest and most extensive collection of artifacts in northwestern North Dakota, including many rare an

d unusual items. You are likely to find something "new" to see each time you visit. Much of museum was organized thematically into distinct rooms such as an old general store, schoolroom and saddle shop to name a few. The old Charbonneau Post Office is displayed. There is a room dedicated to the life and career of congressman and governor Art Link who was County Chairman in 1967 and on the original museum committee. Of course there is the recently updated Lewis and Clark room with displays and artifacts to help the visitor understand and appreciate the contributions made by the Corps of Discovery. Lewis and Clark spent more time in this part of ND than any other state. A brochure is available with important information about the expedition. Throughout the museum and property many different pieces of machinery and transportation modes are displayed. In addition to the old school the museum expands to the entire property with many other historic buildings such as an old log cabin, a sheepherders wagon, church and the old local Boy Scout headquarters. On the front lawn petrified tree stumps unearthed when Hwy 85 was redirected are displayed. They are estimated to be 60 million years old and are unique to western North Dakota. Also on site is a coffee and gift shop, James Gang Java, located in the original Charbon Township, one room school house that later became the Township Hall.

Thank you all for a busy start to the season! Over the weekend we surpassed 500 guests thus far in 2026! Are you among...
06/22/2026

Thank you all for a busy start to the season! Over the weekend we surpassed 500 guests thus far in 2026! Are you among them? If not, come find out what you have been missing out on!

Lest We Forget by Hedvig Clausen Svore,1959 McKenzie County man is notable Norwegian writer.Critic in the Minot Daily Ne...
06/21/2026

Lest We Forget by Hedvig Clausen Svore,1959

McKenzie County man is notable Norwegian writer.
Critic in the Minot Daily News Lauds His Work and Books Highly
By Blanche Lynch

Jon Norstog, who, from a McKenzie County farm has sent out through the world books that have won him praise of critics in both Norway and America, is to have another book published this fall.

This latest work, “When Rivers Meet,“ is a romance of present day America and is to be published by a leading firm of publishers in Norway. In this respect it differs from its predecessor which were written, printed and bound in the little prairie farm home by Norstog, a very veritable maker of books.

Norstog once was in Minot with the “Posten,“ a Norse newspaper, and he also was with the“Normanden,“ published at Fargo. He writes for a Norse newspapers and other publications in this country and Norway, on literature, politics, and a variety of topics, and has provoked thoughtful criticism with his poetry and dramas.

Work of Toiler and Thinker

It is 24 years since Norstog left Minot and settled on a claim in McKenzie County to eke out a simple living and to meditate and write. Out of this isolated existence has come some austerely beautiful writing, writing of a marked idealism and rugged individuality – the work of a man who has toiled and thought and lived alone, and found inspiration in a deep rooted faith.

“The gold of genuine poetry lingers over the pages like the early dew on the “Moors“, a leading Norse minister in America could write upon reading the first volume of Norstogs
“Exodus,“ and when the trilogy was finished in 1928, the Rev. Anders Hovden himself a poet and author of distinction, writing for an Oslo daily paper, was moved to say: “Nortstog does not travel along the shore, he always goes on the high seas, out on the deep. He tackles the mysteries of life, the depths of the soul – all in all, ‘Exodus’, this powerful trilogy is a master work in modern Norwegian literature.“

Norstog has been compared to both Ibsen and Knut Hansen, but those who have ventured to write of him have agreed that it is difficult to compare him to any other Norse authors. “Why use any comparisons?“ said a contributor to the “Decorah – Posten,“ published at Decorah, Iowa in his comment on the work, “Exodus.“ “One cannot compare him to anybody else – in this work of prose. He has convincingly approved himself to be a master poet. The book is symbolic – a long series of daring pictures with a deep and somber background.“

Really One – Man Books

It is of interest that “Exodus,” which Norstog describes as a novel of American life, is being translated into English by Chicago friend of the author.

This man with the soul of a poet worked in print shops after he came to America in 1902, and that experience stood him in good stead when his first book was completed in his prairie workshop. Funds were low, so the usual method of publication could not be considered. Therefore, the poet would not only write his books. He’d print and publish them.

A small printing press, some type, and equipment for binding the paper covered volumes were installed, and thus Norstog books became entirely a one-man venture.

To be continued…

We want to wish a Happy Father’s Day to all the wonderful men in our lives! If you are still looking for that perfect g...
06/21/2026

We want to wish a Happy Father’s Day to all the wonderful men in our lives! If you are still looking for that perfect gift, we have 10% off all T-shirts in our gift shop or you could purchase tickets to this Friday’s escape room! Stop in and see us on this rainy day!

06/20/2026

Come out and support a good cause!

The movie is rolling, the popcorn is popped, the pizza is hot! Come out and support a good cause!
06/20/2026

The movie is rolling, the popcorn is popped, the pizza is hot! Come out and support a good cause!

Lest We Forget, Hedvig Clausen Svore,1959 1934February 15 – Last Saturday, Frances Rhodes and Miss Blan...
06/20/2026

Lest We Forget, Hedvig Clausen Svore,1959

1934

February 15 – Last Saturday, Frances Rhodes and Miss Blanche Pesek, popular young couple, were united in marriage by Father Dougherty. The bride is the daughter of Mrs. James Pesek and the groom is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Rhodes of Charbon Township. Blanche and Francis lived since childhood on neighboring farms and their marriage is the combination of what developed during their long acquaintance.

May 3 – Keeping the event secret for five months, Mr. and Mrs. Art Lanz this week announced their marriage, which was solemnized at Sidney, Montana, November 26, 1933. The announcement came as a surprise even to close relatives. Mrs. Lanz was formally Miss Nora Nelson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Anton Nelson. She graduated from Williston High School and Mayville Normal School, and has taught school in this vicinity for the past few years. The husband is the son of Mrs. Edith Lanz. He is a graduate from Alexander High School and attended State University at Grand Forks, where for a time he was assistant boxing coach. He is engaged in farming near Alexander, specializing in purebred turkeys. The young couple has the best wishes of many friends.

May 17 – Teachers of Alred School District received some actual salary money last week. Mrs. Inga Norstog, County Superintendent, distributed $3000 among teachers of this district. The funds were provided by the federal government.

– Happy and active and apparently in good health Sunday evening, little Arlene, seven-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Larson Lee died about 5 o’clock Monday morning. She died following a series of convulsions. Death was pronounced due to pulmonary hemorrhage.

May 24 – Little Benny, three year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred James, died Saturday in a Williston hospital after a two day battle for his life. Last Thursday, the child accidentally backed into and sat in a pail of scalding water which had been placed temporarily on the floor while the family washing was underway at the James home in Alex Township. He was at once rushed to the Williston hospital. Physicians held out little hope at the time for saving the child’s life, but in the following day has improved condition caused hope for his recovery to grow brighter. About noon Saturday, however, it was seen that the little fellow was losing the struggle and he passed away about 6 PM. Benny Edward James was born March 4, 1931. He was a sturdy child, always bright and happy, a veritable ray of sunshine in the home. His tragic death leaves an aching void in the hearts of his parents, sisters and brother who have the deepest sympathy of a large circle of friends. Funeral service services conducted by Rev. O. R. Svore, were held at the home Monday at one o’clock and at the Lutheran Church in Alexander at two o’clock. The services were largely attended.

– Art Hett, Jack Carlson and Lloyd Sathre, with their violin, accordion and banjo have been in demand at various places of amusement in Williston.

June 7 – Attorney Robert Norheim has accepted a position in the Federal Land Bank in St. Paul. Bob writes that he doesn’t know how long the job will last, but he is temporarily employed in the title attorney’s division of the bank.

– Fred James returned last Thursday from St. Paul, where he marketed his and Van Allen‘s cattle at a fair price. Luther Svore accompanied him on the trip.

July 5 – We can’t tell you the exact time or place the event occurred, but sometime last Thursday, probably at Shafer or Watford City, or it might have been at Sidney, Montana, someone or other pronounced the mystic words which united and matrimonial harness, Ralph Overstreet and Miss Julia Monson, both of Randolph Township. Ralph has been a tiller of the soil in this community for – perhaps we had better not say how many years. He is still a young man, however, and a real guy, but if there was such a person as a real confirmed bachelor “Fogerty“ Overstreet was it, at least this is the way his many friends looked at the situation which goes to show that people don’t always understand all they know. The charming bride is a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Math Monson, pioneer residents of this community. Mr. and Mrs. Overstreet have undertaken the joys of home making on the husband‘s farm where no doubt Ralph thinks he has graduated from the job of making sourdough biscuits and flapjacks. Just a word of advice, Ralph, from one who has been through the mill – you may still have many a meal to prepare, and maybe a button to sew on your clothes, but here are best wishes to the newly weds.

July 5 – Mrs. Mary Horton suffered a fall one day last week from the hay mow in her barn in Patent Gate Township and her injuries have since confined her to her home.

July 12 – A killing frost in July is one of the novelties old John Weather has added to his strange bag of tricks. Last Saturday morning gardens hereabouts showed plentiful evidence that the temperature had dropped below the freezing point during the previous night. Some grain fields were slightly damaged.

July 26 – Looked like early days here last Thursday when a bunch of cowpunchers from the south part of the county, outfitted in ten gallon hats, boots, and spurs, helped John Leaky bring in a load of about 400 head of cattle.

September 6 – Residents of southern Missouri and northern Arkansas are being terrorized by the wild cows from North Dakota recently shipped into that area by the government. Butler County, Missouri farmers have appealed to the sheriff to protect their lives and property from these “wild cows.“ “These cows are wild. They do not know the purpose of fences and the sight of human beings just burn them up,“ declared a committee of farmers who called upon the sheriff.

To be continued …

FUNDRAISER TONIGHT! It’s 90s night at the museum to help Lindy Collins fund her oral surgery! Come watch the Iron Giant,...
06/20/2026

FUNDRAISER TONIGHT! It’s 90s night at the museum to help Lindy Collins fund her oral surgery! Come watch the Iron Giant, eat snacks, and pizza by the slice and it’s all GOOD WILL DONATION!

Lest We Forget, Hedvig Clausen Svore,1959 – G. A. Nygaard was in town Sunday from Antelope Creek Township. Gus and the M...
06/19/2026

Lest We Forget, Hedvig Clausen Svore,1959

– G. A. Nygaard was in town Sunday from Antelope Creek Township. Gus and the Mrs. expect to leave soon for California where they have gotten into the habit of spending the winters.

– Mrs. Annie Millhouse and Mrs. Wm. Knickerbocker were honored Saturday evening at the home of the former by members of the local Methodist Ladies Aid in observance of the fact that these two ladies hold the oldest memberships in the Aid. Lunch was provided and served by the members, games were played and gifts were presented to Mesdames Millhouse and Knickerbocker.

– Lloyd Powel parted with his appendix at the Williston hospital one day last week, and is reported to be recovering satisfactorily from the operation.

– Rev. H. B. Gibbins and Geo. Hoehn return Tuesday from Carpio and brought home with them the former’s cow in the latter‘s truck.

– Mrs. Fred Eckert of Poe Township is in a hospital in Glendive, Montana, and her condition is reported to be serious. She was injured internally besides suffering cuts and bruises when the auto in which she and Mr. Eckert were riding, overturned near the city. Mr. Eckert suffered minor injuries. The accident occurred Tuesday of last week. Mr. and Mrs. Eckert left their home that morning for Los Angeles, California, where they planned on spending the winter. They were riding in a new car which Mr. Eckert had recently purchased. It is believed the free – wheeling feature with which Mr. Eckert had not become thoroughly familiar, may have been responsible for the accident. The Chronicle did not learn how badly the car was damaged.

– Paul Berge, Jr., stayed overnight at the A. Sundby home.

– Wednesday evening, Albert Sanders and Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Sanders returned from the Century of Progress at Chicago and the Fair. All reported a wonderful time.

Boy and Girl Scouts have been organized in Rawson. The Boy Scouts are Herman and Arthur Hermanson, John Stannard, Jr., F. Arnold Halquist, Raymond Hall, Arthur Kerr, Jr., Carl Sundby, and Paul Berge. Mr. H. F. Fursteneau is acting as a scout master. They probably will meet this coming Saturday.

– Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Burke returned yesterday from Grand Forks where they headquartered for a couple of weeks while Mr. Burke visited I.O.O.F. lodges in that section of the state in his official capacity as State Grand Master.

THURLOW SCHOOL– – Teacher, Miss Rogers

We are preparing for our Armistice Day program this week and think it is so much fun to do it all by ourselves. This will be our first program this year. For grammar class, we are writing letters to our parents inviting them to our program which we are to give Friday at 3:30.

Each month, our spelling classes compete for the most stars, which means 100 every day. At the end of the month, Miss Rogers awards prize to the winner, providing he gives a satisfactory talk in front of the rest of the group. The prize winners for the first two months were Florence Gajewski and Vincent Rettig.

In art class everyone is working hard to make the most attractive cover for a book for our visitors to sign their names in. We are to use our own ideas in making our booklets. – By the Y. C. L.

To be continued…

06/19/2026

Escape Room TEST!!!

Lest We Forget, Hedvig Clausen Svore,1959 October 19 – Grace Weber, oldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Weber, passed ...
06/19/2026

Lest We Forget, Hedvig Clausen Svore,1959

October 19 – Grace Weber, oldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Weber, passed away last Thursday at the home of her parents 1 1/2 miles southeast of Alexander. Death was due to heart trouble and complications. Grace was born 20 years ago last March on the farm where she died and had lived there all her life. She graduated from Alexander High School in 1932. Never very rugged, the past few years she suffered with heart trouble. She bore up bravely under her affliction and was always of a kindly and cheerful disposition. She was confined to bed, but a few days before her demise. Death was not unexpected. The departed is survived by her parents, brothers and several sisters. Her older sister, Marie, proceeded her in death three years ago.

October 26 – Some ten self invited guests called at the Berge home and helped Alice celebrate her birthday.

– Joe Kunselman suffered an injured leg yesterday when a truckload of coal he was hauling, upset on slippery roads. He was taken to a Williston physician and will be unable to personally attend to his coal.

November 2 – George Ball, 48, prominent farmer of Randolph Township died Sunday in a hospital in Minot, where he was taken one day this week. Death was caused by pneumonia heart disease from which he had been troubled for several years. During the past few months, his health failed rapidly. George Ball was born March 25, 1885 in Gedney Drove End, Lincolnshire, England. He immigrated to Canada in 1905. The following year he came to McKenzie County and homesteaded the land in Randolph Township, which has been his home. In 1914 he was married to Miss Frances Mencl and to this union one son, Charles, now 14 years old, was born. Mr. Ball had been clerk of Randolph Township for the past 16 years. He was always active in community and civil affairs, was progressive in politics and was a foremost member of the Non-partisan League and the Farmers Union. He was a beloved husband and father, a good citizen and an excellent citizen.

November 2 – Sivert Moe and Lyman Fallon drove to Grand Forks Friday afternoon and attended annual homecoming game between the University and Agricultural College of Fargo.

December 14 – Helga Louise Peterson was born in Randers, Denmark, July 7, 1894, migrated from the country in 1911 to Oaks, North Dakota, where her brother Soren then resided. In 1920 she came to Alexander with her brothers, Soren and Bud and her future husband. On April 11, 1923. She was married to Anton Nelson. Mr. and Mrs. Nelson had been childhood friends and school mates in Denmark. Mr. Nelson and Bud Peterson came from Denmark to Oaks in 1915. Mrs. Nelson was a woman of a cheerful and sunny nature and although she suffered much, she bore her afflictions with patience and christian resignation and counted her friends by her acquaintances.

November 9 – Leland Amundson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Amundson of Randolph Township, was married in Minneapolis, October 27. The chronicle has not learned the name of the lady in the case. Since graduating from the University of Minnesota some few years ago as an agricultural engineer, Leland has been employed in his profession in Minneapolis. His boyhood was spent largely in and around Alexander. He is a graduate of Alexander High School. Leland is a fine type of young manhood, capable and ambitious, and his many friends here will wish him and his bride happiness and the best of all things on their matrimonial voyage.

To be continued…

Address

102 Indiana Avenue E
Alexander, ND
58831

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 12pm - 5pm

Telephone

+17018283595

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Lewis and Clark Trail Museum posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Museum

Send a message to Lewis and Clark Trail Museum:

Shortcuts

Share

Category