Pompey’s Pillar
In 2010 I was given a life
changing opportunity. A special group—Driven2Teach, begun by Larry H. Miller,
who has since passed away, created a program to get history teachers out of the
classroom and into the history they teach.
Williamsburg in 2012 (for those
who follow my blog) was one experience I had.
In 2010, I studied the Corps of
Discovery—Lewis and Clark for those who don’t recognize it. Since then I have
found my life intertwined with their experiences. I have visited many places
they went, played their music, read, thought, and talked about them.
This trip took me to Pompey’s
Pillar (or Pompey’s Tower). How could I resist seeing it?
Pomp was Sacagawea’s son born on
the journey (Jean Baptiste Charboneau is his real name). Clark adored the baby
and on the return trip stopping outside of Great Falls found a tall sandstone
pillar. Climbed it. Carved his name in it. And named it for the now two year
old.
I tell my students they should
never deface anything—unless they are doing something soooo amazing that it
will change the world. And that’s what William Clark and his group of men were
doing. Changing everything.
His signature is still there.
Still visible. (Under glass). And is one of the only physical pieces of
evidence of the Corps of Discovery’s journey.
Yep. It was cool.
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