Pompey's Pillar

Pompey’s Pillar

In 2010 I was given a life changing opportunity. A special group—Driven2Teach, begun by Larry H. Miller, who has since passed away, created a program to get history teachers out of the classroom and into the history they teach.

Williamsburg in 2012 (for those who follow my blog) was one experience I had.

In 2010, I studied the Corps of Discovery—Lewis and Clark for those who don’t recognize it. Since then I have found my life intertwined with their experiences. I have visited many places they went, played their music, read, thought, and talked about them.

This trip took me to Pompey’s Pillar (or Pompey’s Tower). How could I resist seeing it?

Pomp was Sacagawea’s son born on the journey (Jean Baptiste Charboneau is his real name). Clark adored the baby and on the return trip stopping outside of Great Falls found a tall sandstone pillar. Climbed it. Carved his name in it. And named it for the now two year old.

I tell my students they should never deface anything—unless they are doing something soooo amazing that it will change the world. And that’s what William Clark and his group of men were doing. Changing everything.

His signature is still there. Still visible. (Under glass). And is one of the only physical pieces of evidence of the Corps of Discovery’s journey.

Yep. It was cool.