SIOUX CITY | A former newspaper journalist, Marcia Poole is continually on the lookout for "the second-day story."
That was true during the the two decades she spent as a reporter and editor at the Sioux City Journal. It remains the same in her current role as director of the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center.
"We opened to a lot of fanfare in 2002 due to Lewis and Clark's time in Siouxland as well the (2006) bicentennial of the Corps of Discovery," Poole said. "But we needed to find ways to stay relevant beyond that."
The Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center -- as well as the adjoining Betty Strong Encounter Center that was built in 2007 -- comprise a private, nonprofit cultural complex that was built at 900 Larsen Park Road and is sustained by Missouri River Historical Development Inc. (MRHD).
While the cross-country expedition of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark continue to inspire broad and varied themes for the facilities' programs and exhibits, Poole admitted to some creative "spin-offs."
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"Through Lewis and Clark, we've been able to explore everything from Native American culture to traditional games, natural resources, music, agriculture, the military -- you name it," she said. "Thanks to our Lewis and Clark core, we never run out of ideas for stimulating programs and exhibits."
Expanding themes, consistent core
Doing "sentry duty" on the center's Missouri River grounds are life-size, bronze sculptures of animals -- a bison, elk, grizzly bear, white-tailed deer, coyotes and a 1,000-pound buffalo that symbolizes wildlife encountered by Lewis and Clark as well as Native peoples.
In addition to the animal sculpture, a 14-foot-tall "Spirit of Discovery" depicts Lewis and Clark and a Newfoundland dog named Seaman, who became a mascot for the expedition.
According to Poole, this sculpture -- by Loveland, Colorado-based Pat Kennedy -- has become one of Siouxland's most iconic photo ops.
That's to say nothing of the center's newest acquisition: a life-size animatronic Thomas Jefferson.
Dressed in dark green breeches and vest, a long-sleeved ruffled shirt, dark stockings and laced-up shoes, the "Sage of Monticello" greets visitors from an octagon stage in the Enlistment Gallery.
Facilities manager Mike McCormick said the animatronic Jefferson -- first introduced in January -- was designed and constructed by Life Formations of Bowling Green, Ohio.
Similar to the center's animatronic Lewis, Clark and Seaman the Dog sculptures, Jefferson's eyes, head, arms and torso move, which McCormick said was both "fascinating" and "creepy."
"I think it can go either way," he said.
Still, Poole said many visitors have taken advantage of the nation's third president.
"People love taking selfies with Jefferson," she said. "I can totally picture ol' Tom as loving social media. He was very progressive that way."
Thinking outside the box for summer
Poole said the center's Stanley Evans Auditorium have become increasingly important. Over the past year, it has hosted music acts, science experiments, a program for Vietnam veterans and even a poetry "slam."
"It all ties in with Lewis and Clark, when entertainment was presented in front of a campfire," she said. "Our various programs continue to draw thousands of visitors every year."
This doesn't surprise Poole, who said Lewis and Clark have fans from around the country as well as around the world.
"But to be honest, we're seeing more and more local people utilizing our facilities," she said. "That's very important."
Over the past few years, Poole said she's seen an increasingly large number of families having fun at the riverfront.
"The riverfront truly is a jewel for Siouxland," she said. "It's so wonderful to see people using it in greater frequency."
Poole is forecasting a very busy summer with programs on Alexander Hamilton, The White House, American musical instruments, baseball's "one-hit wonders," architect Frank Lloyd Wright, the Plains Tribe and the Homestead Act, as well as a program of patriotic music.
"When we first opened our doors, I thought we'd see the bulk of our visitors as being out-of-towners," she said. "Now, we're becoming more of a community center and that's very nice as well."
Which is good news for Poole, who is always on the hunt for that perfect "second day story."
"With such a rich history, we'll never run out of ideas," she said.
