Students get 'firsthand' look at Lewis and Clark
Courtesy photo Dan Smith in full pioneer garb as John Collins during his presentation to the Pinehurst Elementary School fourth-grade classes as part of their Idaho history studies.
PINEHURST — Eighty-seven students at Pinehurst Elementary School recently were treated to a presentation from local history buff Dan Smith as part of their fourth-grade curriculum.
Smith, (who also works for Idaho DEQ) is an expert on the history of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, and for this presentation he got into the character of John Collins.
John Collins was an original member of the Corps of Discovery on the Lewis and Clark Expedition — one who Smith believes would have really fit the mold of the early Silver Valley settlers.
“Why John Collins? Typecasting,” Smith said. “Collins was the single most-disciplined person in the permanent expedition. Collins received 150 lashes in two separate court-martials. And he got away with a bunch of other stuff. Even after all this, he was treated with some level of privilege by the captains. It also seems like John Collins would fit right into the Silver Valley.”
Through the telling of stories and answering questions, Smith performs what he likes to call “Living History” and the kids responded in kind.
“The kids were all very excited about his performance,” PES fourth-grade teacher Eli Bourgard said, “and would have asked questions all daylong if they didn’t need to catch their buses.”
Smith brought in expedition gear and clothing that were authentic replicas to what was used in 1822, which allowed the students to have some perspective on how a journey like Lewis and Clark’s would have gone.
Smith further explained his storytelling style, hoping that the kids have as much fun immersing themselves in his acting as he does portraying the part.
“Living history can really bring a story to life,” Smith said. “Kids learn in so many ways — reading about the expedition is very different from listening to a skilled interpreter tell it in a totally different manner. Living history is a ‘I was there’ kind of thing. While it takes an open mind to really get into it, once you are immersed, it takes you places you wouldn’t get by reading. It also is a pretty big responsibility for the interpreter. I like to think that if John Collins is up there somewhere looking down (or up, as the case might well be), that my representation of him would be OK with him and accurate enough.”
Smith has been a Lewis and Clark buff for some years now and was even the manager of the Giant Springs State Park from 1992-2004, where he was active in promoting the Lewis and Clark story in many venues.
He was the president of the Lewis and Clark Honor Guard, was instrumental in building the National Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center inside Giant Springs State Park.
As part of the Lewis and Clark Honor Guard, Smith helped the group transition from third person interpretative presentations to the first person style he now performs.
Smith has given hundreds of performances over the years and very much enjoys interacting with the local students
Idaho history is a regular part of the fourth-grade curriculum for Idaho students. “The fourth-grade teachers and all the students wish to thank Dan for his time and the unforgettable experience he shared with us,” said PES principal Mike Groves.