"I'm the Lewis and Clark Mural project manager. When we first started thinking about doing a website it was so the Nebraska Arts Council could watch the mural project in progress. I was hoping it would become an accent to the mural project too. However, to my own surprise, the website has become a treasure of its very own to Tekamah. It was thrilling to watch the students take the information we shared with them and build an outstanding website. They successfully enhanced the incredible story behind my paintings. What a valuable tool they have created so we can now share the story of Lewis and Clark's journey through Nebraska with the rest of the world.

In purposing this website project to Linda Farrens and her three students I never expected that the outcome would be so rewarding. I have heard nothing but raving reviews about the mural and the website projects. Some of these reviews came from the Nebraska Arts Council, Nebraska Department of Development and the Lewis and Clark Council Committee. They gave praise to the artist, the E-Projects class, and their teacher for their outstanding work. Our community is so proud of them and grateful they gave so much of their time and talent to both projects. Thank you Linda Farrens, Dylan Dougherty, Quentin Connealy, and Emily Johnson. The mural would not have become the huge success it is today without you!"

January 28, 2004, "E-mail", Debby Knittel, Lewis and Clark Project Manager

Suzanne Wise
Executive Director, Nebraska Arts Coucil

"The Lewis and Clark mural is a visual history lesson that also happens to be a piece of public art that beautifies the Tekamah community and enhances cultural tourism potential for this area of rural Nebraska.

In order to achieve this impressive result, the school had to seek out funding beyond what would normally be provided for school projects. There is a link on the mural's website that lists the collection of public and private partnerships the school was able to secure. The school applied for a Nebraska Arts Council grant to match local financial and volunteer contributions. They were awarded significant funding from our agency because the project articulated measurable goals and objectives, had high artistic merit, demonstrated excellent collaboration with partners, and proposed an exciting range of activities to enhance the learning experience.

I have recommended Tekamah's Lewis and Clark Mural website on several occasions to representatives from other communities seeking advice on mural projects and on examples of Lewis and Clark activities, and have received positive feedback on the usefulness of the material it contains. It is very deserving of accolades to the students and faculty involved."

January 29, 2004, E-mail, Suzanne Wise, Executive Director, Nebraska Arts Council

Bill Anderson
Mayor of Tekamah

Video Clips

"Lewis and Clark passed through our area 200 years ago on their way to map and catalogue the wonders of our new nation. Thanks to the efforts of local artist Lisa Glup, some of the members of that Corps of Discovery have returned to peer out of the windows of the local VFW building. She and a number of Tekamah residents have painted a two-story mural to commemorate that historic journey.

Tekamah-Herman high school students, under the direction of instructor Linda Farrens, have built a web site to share information about the Lewis and Clark journey and the upcoming celebration in our city. Their enthusiasm is shared by our entire community. The students have used their skills in technology to share our part in this nation-wide celebration with local residents, former residents and the world. We invite you to come and see this centerpiece of our decorations as we dress up for the party. It can be seen at the intersection of highways 75 and 32 in Tekamah, Nebraska--or on a computer near you."

Bill Anderson, Mayor of Tekamah, "Personal Interview," January 30, 2004

Dan Gross
Principal, Tekamah-Herman High School

Video Clips

"Tekamah-Herman teachers and students have been involved in the Tekamah area Lewis and Clark celebration since the planning stages. The subsequent web pages that were developed by the students in Linda Farrens' E-Projects class have become a valuable resource for anyone looking for information on the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The project has been an exceptional opportunity for the community and the public school to work together and the experience the students have gained will help them be more effective community leaders in the future."

Dan Gross, Tekamah-Herman Principal, "Personal Interview," January 30, 2004

The Lewis and Clark Mural Project, funded through a grant made available
through the Nebraska Arts Council, has become a visual lesson plan of this
historical journey of our forefathers. The web site that has been developed
by the Tekamah-Herman e-Projects Class has been the vehicle that has caused
this historical expedition to be recreated. Needless to say, the school has
taken a great deal of ownership into this educational project. Citizens of
all ages, throughout Burt county and throughout the nation, have an
opportunity to visit this web site, learn valuable historical information,
and become actively involved as our country celebrates the achievements that
this expedition contributed 200 years ago while exploring the Missouri River
territories.

I hope that this wonderful celebration of learning will continue throughout
the ages. Students, educators, parents, and community members will all have
the opportunity to create their own expeditions of learning, to explore the
past events of our ancestors, and to appreciate the contributions that they
have made to our great nation."

Kevin Nolan, Tekamah-Herman Superintendent, "Personal Interview," January 29, 2004