Captain Clark Signature Days Schedule

Fridays at the Pillar

Join the Pompeys Pillar Historical Association the last weekend of each July to celebrate Captain Clark Days at Pompeys Pillar National Monument. Listen round the campfire as Sergeant Pryor relates his tale of floating down the Yellowstone to the Missouri River aboard a bull boat made from buffalo hides. Hear how Crow Indians captured Clark's entire horse herd.

Billings & Yellowstone Valley Area Events 2008

Click the links below to download a copy of Signature News. Dec. 2005, Vol. 13 No. 2 Apr. 2005, Vol. 13 No. 1 Jun. 2004, Vol. 12 No. 1

Captain Clark Days

July 26-27, 2008

For Further Information
Contact: Dick Kodeski, Monument Manager
Phones: Office 896-5235 Cell 670-3159 Pillar 875-2400
Or Susan Lubbers at 245-2970

2008 Clark Days Schedule of Events
Saturday evening — July 26, 2008

Free tent or RV dry camping Saturday night park rangers will be on duty all night
Nature walk and "campfire" speakers Saturday evening

5:30-6:30 p.m.		Nature Walk
6:30-7:30 p.m.		Whatever Happened to Baby Pomp?
7:30-8:30 p.m.		Early History of the Pillar
8:30-9:30 p.m.		The Pryor Story
10:30-11:45 p.m.		The Night Sky

Sunday — July 27, 2008

6:00 a.m.	Guided Bird Walk
7:00-9:00 a.m.	Pancake Breakfast $4
10 a.m.	Elk River Brigade Color Guard
10:00 a.m. to 1 p.m.	Programs for all age about and including displays of canoes, firearms, blacksmithing, travois, Metis, mountain man, Animals and Clark on the Yellowstone, medical practices, Clark’ expedition maps, Following Clark’s Trail, trade goods, live buffalo, storytelling, Lewis and Clark cooking, stamp camp, children’s booth, Yellowstone River History, flinting, art of the Lewis and Clark expedition
11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.	Southbound Band
11:30 a.m. - 2 p.m.	Buffalo Burger Lunch $6

Featured Presentations on Sunday

10 a.m.-Noon	Kenneth Thomasma (author of Sacagawea and Naya Nuki) signs books and visits
1:00-2:00 p.m.	Kenneth Thomasma Presentation (Main Stage)
2:00-3:00 p.m.	John LeVar - The Mystery of Clark and the Crow Indians (Main Stage)
3:00-5:00 p.m.	Crow Indian dancers

Visit the “Remarkable Rock” That Clark Signed
During Clark Days Activities At Pompeys Pillar National Monument

Pompeys Pillar National Monument marks the site of a “remarkable rock” that compelled Captain William Clark and his party to stop and go ashore. “It provided an extensive view in every direction,” he wrote in his journal. Clark signed the rock on July 25, 1806.

Visit the rock, see the view and follow their journey along the Yellowstone River during the annual Clark Days set for Saturday, July 26 and Sunday, July 27 at Pompeys Pillar National Monument. The setting of more than 400 acres features that “rock,” the sandstone pillar that bears the famous signature.

The newly paved road and parking lot leads visitors to the recently completed Pompeys Pillar National Monument Interpretive Center. Exhibits in the center tell the story of the Lewis and Clark Expedition and Clark’s return trip along the Yellowstone River. “The two days of activities commemorate Clark’s visit and help visitors share the history,” said John LeVar, co-chair of the event. “Music, speakers, dancers and other activities all recall the period of the visit and the history of this location along the Yellowstone River.”

The interpretive center houses displays on the people of the area prior to the arrival of William Clark, the story of Clark’s return journey along the Yellowstone and the evolution of the area after his visit. The Interpretive Center, gift shop and grounds are open until 8 p.m. both days.

Pompeys Pillar National Monument is located 28 miles east of Billings along I-94 at Exit 23. No admission is charged during the two days of the Clark Days celebration.

The grounds are open to campers on Saturday night only for dry camping. No hook-ups are available. Both RV and tent camp spots will be available.

Clark Days is sponsored by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Pompeys Pillar Historical Association. The Association was organized in 1991 in cooperation with BLM to assist and advance the historical, scientific, educational and interpretative programs at Pompeys Pillar. Association members provide volunteer support at the Pillar. The BLM manages the landmark and its surrounding acreage. The Pillar was designated a national monument in 2001.

Friday Nights at the Pillar - (June - August)

Pompeys Pillar Historical Association and the Bureau of Land Management have coordinated summer Friday night programs at the national monument. Admission to Pompeys Pillar National Monument is $7 per carload. The programs are free and start at 7 p.m.

The 2008 schedule will be published soon. Please check back often.