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York Documentary Joins Center's Programming
"Searching for York," a documentary about the "unofficial" member of the Lewis & Clark Expedition, is a permanent part of programming at the Betty Strong Encounter Center and adjoining Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center. Admission is free.
The documentary paints a portrait of York, the slave of Captain William Clark, as a full participant in the expedition who’s been obscured by omission or stereotype in most historical accounts. Appropriate for elementary level students and older, the 29-minute program will be shown in both the Stanley Evans Auditorium and the Keelboat Theater.
"The Center is grateful to the co-producers of this compelling new documentary about a key figure in U.S. history. Their work encourages us to discuss deeper questions about how Lewis & Clark history has been written," says Marcia Poole, director of the Center.
"Searching for York" is part of the "Oregon Experience" history series co-produced by Oregon Public Broadcasting and the Oregon Historical Society.
York had been a slave of Clark’s family since his birth in Virginia about 1770. John Clark willed him to his son, William. On the 1803-1806 expedition, York worked alongside soldiers, boatmen and hunters. He carried a gun even though it was unlawful for slaves to have firearms. He administered medicine to the dying Sergeant Floyd in the present-day Sioux City area even though it was unlawful for slaves to give medicine to white people.
York fascinated Indians who had never seen a black person. His color, strength and agility amazed them. Some Indians referred to York as "big medicine."
Yet, as a slave, York did not receive pay from the government as the other men did. After the expedition returned to St. Louis in September 1806, Clark did not free him until 1815. York is believed to have died of cholera in Tennessee.
Funding for "Searching for York" was provided by the National Park Service; James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation; Ann and Bill Swindells Charitable Trust; and the Oregon Cultural Trust. For more information about the program and "Oregon Experience" visit http://www.opb.org/programs/oregonexperience
