America 250: From Independence to Discovery
Follow the Story from 1776 to the Lewis and Clark Expedition

National Museum of African American History and Culture

📍 Location: Washington, DC
🟢 Reserve your Free Pass|
What to do & see:

• Explore the history, culture, and contributions of African Americans from the nation’s founding to the present day.

• Through powerful exhibits, artifacts, and personal stories, the museum examines slavery, freedom, resilience, creativity, and leadership—and how African American history is inseparable from the broader American story.

Why it matters to Lewis & Clark:

• The Lewis and Clark Expedition included York, an enslaved African American man owned by William Clark.

• York played a vital role in the expedition—as a laborer, hunter, and cultural intermediary.

• His presence challenged expectations among many Native tribes, some of whom had never seen a Black man before.

• In 1805, while camped at the Pacific Coast, York—along with Sacagawea—was allowed to vote with the Corps on where to establish their winter encampment. Though symbolic and temporary, this moment stands out in early American history, recognizing York’s contributions and granting him a voice denied to most African Americans at the time.