The Museum of Westward Expansion

The Museum of Westward Expansion is located at the base of the Arch and is free. It’s not free with admission to the Arch, but free period. I couldn’t believe that considering the quality of the exhibits!

entrance to the museum

entrance to the museum

about the museum

about the museum

prophetic words about New Orleans

prophetic words about New Orleans

I found these words by Jefferson to be ironic because his country has all of that and is still very unhappy

I found these words by Jefferson to be ironic because his country has all of that and is still very unhappy

this ad for mail order brides caught my attention

this ad for mail order brides caught my attention

In 1860, the US's population was just under 31.5 million, which is just about Canada's population today!

In 1860, the US’s population was just under 31.5 million, which is just about Canada’s population today!

1867 is Canada's Conferation Year. I am very impressed that this sign mentions that. In fact, there is a ton of Canadian history interspersed on this series of signs.

1867 is Canada’s Conferation Year. I am very impressed that this sign mentions that. In fact, there is a ton of Canadian history interspersed on this series of signs.

close up the 1867 sign

close up the 1867 sign

I loved this pensive image of Lincoln

I loved this pensive image of Lincoln

I snapped this one because that's the year the Klondike Gold Rush began (it's noted on the sign)

I snapped this one because that’s the year the Klondike Gold Rush began (it’s noted on the sign)

ironic words from Orville Wright, who hoped that his flying machine would end the need for war

ironic words from Orville Wright, who hoped that his flying machine would end the need for war

FDR's recipe for world peace

FDR’s recipe for world peace

Lewis, about penetrating into uncharted wilderness

Lewis, about penetrating into uncharted wilderness

Lewis, about his first meeting with Sacawagea

Lewis, about his first meeting with Sacawagea

stage coach

stage coach

a migrant worker took to the road because it did not want someone else to feed him

a migrant worker took to the road because it did not want someone else to feed him

there were several of these eerily lifelike robots that moved, spoke, and even blinked!

there were several of these eerily lifelike robots that moved, spoke, and even blinked!

inside of a settler's cabin

inside of a settler’s cabin

cowboys are apparently part human...

cowboys are apparently part human…

thoughts on reaching the imaginary line between east and west (I feel it very much here, on the banks of the Mississippi)

thoughts on reaching the imaginary line between east and west (I feel it very much here, on the banks of the Mississippi)

wagon

wagon

the wagon trains compared to great serpents

the wagon trains compared to great serpents

"All this we have overcome now and we are in the golden land." J.P. Taylor

“All this we have overcome now and we are in the golden land.” J.P. Taylor

giant ship's wheel

giant ship’s wheel

General Sheridan felt that westward expansion would only succeed after all the buffalo were gone.

General Sheridan felt that westward expansion would only succeed after all the buffalo were gone.

"War is Hell", General Sherman

“War is Hell”, General Sherman

"Taps" played for the last time for General Sherman

“Taps” played for the last time for General Sherman

the face of the Depression-era migrant works; I can't believe she was about my age

the face of the Depression-era migrant works; I can’t believe she was about my age

Thomas Jefferson

Thomas Jefferson