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Can you support the Lewis and Clark  Legacy Trail?  It is on the drawing board through the National Park Service and would come  likely through Botetourt County. William Clark came back from the expedition through here to visit his beloved on his way to visit Thomas Jefferson. Clark later married Julia (Judith) Hancock of Fincastle. March 3 and 4 at Natural Bridge Hotel. From Peggy Crosson:

February 6, 2012 Ref: Lewis and Clark Eastern Legacy Trail Project

Dear Friends,

I am sending this email/letter to enlist your help with spreading the word about a special project with huge, positive ramifications for Fincastle and Botetourt County. Specifically, our community has an opportunity to be part of the Lewis and Clark Eastern Legacy Trail initiative, if a Lewis and Clark trail is designated and approved by the US Congress.

In 2009/10, money was appropriated for a Special Resource Study and the National Park Service’s Mid-West Office was commissioned to lead the project. In summary, the purpose of the study is to assess whether or not such a Lewis and Clark Eastern Legacy Trail, similar to the already established westward Expedition Trail, is both physically and financially feasible.

One of the primary objectives of the study is to engage the communities and its citizens in helping to identify a proposed trail in their given area. Botetourt County is one location where there is much documented evidence that strongly connects Lewis and Clark to the area, and therefore, supports such a trail be established here. The project is a regional initiative and is being led by the Southern Shenandoah Valley Branch of Preservation Virginia that serves and includes Botetourt, Rockbridge and Augusta Counties. In addition to Botetourt, more than likely a Lewis and Clark trail would also be routed through parts of Rockbridge and Augusta counties.

However, there are other specific criteria for having a trail designated in one’s community. Along with a validated historical connection, US Congress is seriously looking at local and regional partnerships, as well as demonstrated community cooperation and shared interests toward a common goal. The National Park Service, as the lead project agency, is visiting our area the weekend of March 3 and 4. It is holding a public workshop from 9am – 12 noon on March 3rd. at Natural Bridge Conference Center and all interested Botetourt citizens are invited to give input into the location of a proposed trail. The particular trail relates to the travel of Clark from Fincastle to Washington, D.C. in 1809. On Sunday, March 4 th., 2 pm – 4 pm, also at natural Bridge, there will be a presentation on the Eastern Legacy Trail project to date, and if approved by Congress, what the potential benefits and responsibilities of localities participating on the trail might be. Examples of success stories from communities participating on the westward Expedition trail will be given. Last, the National Park Service team will make a site visit to Botetourt Saturday afternoon and evening.

The Botetourt Committee for the Lewis and Clark Eastern Legacy Trail project is seeking support. The particular request is for you to send this email to your membership, encouraging their participation in at least the Saturday morning public workshop and/or the Sunday afternoon presentation. It is critical that Botetourt be well represented by a large number of citizens showing strength of support for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our county. For more information, call Peggy Crosson (354-9698) or email at margaretcrosson@ntelos.net. Thank you.

Sincerely,

Botetourt Committee for the Lewis and Clark Eastern Legacy Trail