There are many local and regional sites that have historical links to the Jeffersonian period and the journey of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark.  The history of the C & O Canal is tied to the opening of the West in the early 1800's.

C & O Canal - The Canal Boat tours run through the fall and start again in early spring from Great Falls, Maryland. There is a fine (though small) museum with some artifacts from Canal days as well as a large diorama. Classes can schedule a Mule-drawn Canal Boat Ride. Picnic tables and nice walks with views of the Potomac and the falls are available at Great Falls. The history of the Canal can be explored through The Building of the C & O Canal website.

Harper's Ferry- Harper's Ferry was an important town as a place to outfit voyages west. Many important travelers, including Meriwether Lewis, collected materials there before leaving to travel west.

The Corcoran Gallery of Art - The Corcoran is accessible by Metro as it is only a few blocks from the Farragut North Metro stop. Docents offer tours to school groups and will happily design one according to your request. They have a fine collection of art related to westward expansion and will focus your tour accordingly, ending with a project in the art lab in the basement of the museum. These programs can be geared to a wide range of ages.

The National Portrait Gallery - Docents are happy to arrange tours geared toward a specific time period. There are portraits of the leaders of the country as well as explorers, Native Americans, and other famous people who helped build this country. Unfortunately, the entire building is being renovated and will not reopen until approximately fall of 2004.

Charlottesville - A wonderful overnight can be arranged that includes a full day program at Monticello, with a tour the next morning of the Jeffersonian part of the University of Virginia. Reserve the visit to Monticello well in advance in order to be sure to get a tour led by Docents. There is a Visitor's Center nearby that gives a timeline, artifacts and has an exhibit about the family history of those who are descended from the slaves owned by Thomas Jefferson. Contact the guides at the University of Virginia for a tour of the Rotunda and the grounds around it.

Hard Bargain Farm runs environmental education programs. They include information on pioneer farming and turn of the century tools.