First-Person Interpretive Presentation by Mary Jane Bradbury

The story of Thomas Jefferson’s Corps of Discovery is engrained in the history of our nation and essential to our understanding of the past. The story of Lucy Meriwether Lewis Marks—the mother of Meriwether Lewis—remains unknown, yet it offers critical insight into our understanding of the intrepid explorer. Determined to fulfill the role expected of upper-class women at the turn of the nineteenth century while remaining independent and dedicated to her own pursuits, Lucy managed a large plantation household, which included dozens of enslaved people. She also followed her passion for healing and the natural world, while remaining fiercely devoted to her son. Join historic interpreter Mary Jane Bradbury as she unveils the story of this remarkable woman and her indelible impact on one of the key players in the expansion of the United States.