News Release
Photo courtesy of Rick Mansfield
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Contact: Cathy Runge, 573-323-4806
Contact: Dena Matteson, 573-323-4814
Van Buren, MO: Ozark National Scenic Riverways, in partnership with Ozark Heritage Project, will host “An Evening with Henry Schoolcraft” on Thursday, March 21, at 7 p.m. at Park Headquarters in Van Buren. Dr. Eric “Rick” Mansfield will portray early Ozark explorer Henry Schoolcraft, and Cynthia Dea will portray Schoolcraft’s traveling companion Levi Pettibone. Learn about the original Henry Schoolcraft journey, and hear firsthand accounts of Mansfield’s recent mile by mile, day by day historic recreation of Schoolcraft’s travels.
Henry Schoolcraft, along with companion Levi Pettibone, traveled more than 900 miles over 90 days during the winter of 1818-19 in search of lead deposits near the James River. Lost much of the time, their travels took them throughout the region that would become known as the Ozarks and which was then mostly wilderness. Schoolcraft’s journal and subsequent writings have provided most of what we know of the early 19th century in this area.
Writer, historian and retired educator Mansfield is one of several that historically portray Schoolcraft, but is the only one to have re-enacted this historic trek. See through his PowerPoint presentation some of the changes to the region and hear some of the inspiring moments of this monumental endeavor. This program is free and all are welcome. Park Headquarters is located at 404 Watercress Drive in Van Buren, Missouri. For more information visit www.nps.gov/ozar or call 573-323-4236, ext. 0.
Ozark National Scenic Riverways preserves the free-flowing Current and Jacks Fork Rivers, the surrounding natural resources, and the unique cultural heritage of the Ozark people.
www.nps.gov/ozar
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Last updated: March 11, 2019