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.
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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 and 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.

Do you remember our bat friends?Our buddies named Christopher Lee and Nose For Achoo have had a few friends this season,...
09/12/2026

Do you remember our bat friends?
Our buddies named Christopher Lee and Nose For Achoo have had a few friends this season, including Adam West (not pictured). So we decided to install a bat house for all our winged friends! It’s a little late in the season but we hope that means that next year and during the off season the bats have a nice place to roost and relax.

Did you know gas masks have been around for well over 100 YEARS?These are some of the first standard issue gas masks of ...
09/11/2026

Did you know gas masks have been around for well over 100 YEARS?

These are some of the first standard issue gas masks of the United States Military.
These M1917 Small Box Respirators are from the First World War, they were manufactured in 1917 and 1918. The M1917 is a direct duplicate of the British 1917 standard issue respirator. It was produced in six sizes for best fit, with an internal nose clip to provide the best protection. These gas masks were notorious for being unbearably uncomfortable, with a mouthpiece that was difficult to breathe through and many soldiers reported the nose clamp being far too strong. However, it proved very effective against gas weaponry, a new weapon of the Great War, and soon became the first U.S. gas mask to see service on the Western Front.

These particular masks come with a unique carrying bag that could hold both the mask and tank, allowing the user to run the hose between the straps for easier and faster deployment. Attached to the second tank by a thin piece of string is repair instructions to ensure the respirator could not fail in the field.

Masks like these saved countless lives, with over 1.6 million being issued over the course of the First World War. They are a grim reminder of the horrors seen in the Great War, and of the individuals that wore them.
Masks like these led to advancements in chemical filtration and eventually Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus’s used by first responders today.

So today we remember those who put on the mask, the uniform or the badge, to put themselves in harms way to keep their communities and country safe. We remember the men and women who lost their lives 25 years ago, when the World Trade Center and Pentagon were hit, and those who died in the chaos that followed.

From everyone at the Lewis and Clark Trail Museum, thank you for your service and God Speed to all of you.

ESCAPE ROOM!Our Halloween inspired escape room is coming up! September 18th and October 2nd we will be hosting our LAST ...
09/10/2026

ESCAPE ROOM!

Our Halloween inspired escape room is coming up! September 18th and October 2nd we will be hosting our LAST ESCAPE ROOMS!!! Inspired by the classic 1978 slasher movie “Halloween”, work to escape and stop Michael Myers before you and your team become his next victims. Solve puzzles, cues and cryptic clues to get out and save yourselves from the famed killer of the 1978 Halloween murders of Haddonfield.

Schedule your spot online at www.lewisandclarktrailmuseum.org/events or scan the QR code below!
Hurry before they sell out!

No Artificial Intelligence was used in the making of this post or artwork, all posts and posters are made in house at the Lewis and Clark Trail Museum.

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‼️SALE‼️The boss is away until September 17th so you know what that means…..❗️5% OFF ANYTHING IN THE GIFT SHOP❗️Get a cu...
09/10/2026

‼️SALE‼️
The boss is away until September 17th so you know what that means…..

❗️5% OFF ANYTHING IN THE GIFT SHOP❗️
Get a custom t-shirt, artwork or even one of our LIMITED EDITION LCTM LETTERMANS!


FIXED! All of our leaky windows have been repaired! We are doing all we can to keep the building standing for at least...
09/08/2026

FIXED! All of our leaky windows have been repaired! We are doing all we can to keep the building standing for at least another 100 years! You can help! Visit our website and become a member today! https://www.lewisandclarktrailmuseum.org/ see before pictures in the comments!

THANK YOU to everyone who participated in our Zombie Escape Room! Our next one will be September 18. Watch for details!...
09/08/2026

THANK YOU to everyone who participated in our Zombie Escape Room! Our next one will be September 18. Watch for details! Follow us so you don’t miss our upcoming events!

WHAT YEAR DID YOU GRADUATE? We got a donation of yearbooks recently so filled some of our void! The earliest yearbook ...
09/07/2026

WHAT YEAR DID YOU GRADUATE? We got a donation of yearbooks recently so filled some of our void! The earliest yearbook we have for Alexander is 1949! We are missing a spattering up until the 80’s when we only have 3 years from 1980 to current.
Years missing before 1980 would be 1958, 1960, 1962, 1965, and 1974.

WE ARE OPEN! Today, tomorrow, every day but Wednesday until Oct 1, 2026! Stop on down and make history a destination a...
09/07/2026

WE ARE OPEN! Today, tomorrow, every day but Wednesday until Oct 1, 2026! Stop on down and make history a destination at the Lewis and Clark Trail Museum!

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

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