This bust of York, the only Black member of the Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery, appeared mysteriously in Portland’s Mount Tabor Park in 2020.
Kristian Foden-Vencil / OPB
When people think about the Lewis & Clark expedition, they probably think about Meriwether Lewis, William Clark and maybe Sacagawea. But there’s one member of the Corps of Discovery who isn’t as famous: York.
York was an enslaved Black man who was just as essential to the success of the expedition as anyone else, but didn’t receive any credit for his work afterwards. We dive into York’s story and remember one who may have been overlooked in American history.
You can learn more by watching the Oregon Experience documentary “Searching for York.”
Listen to all episodes of “The Evergreen” podcast here.
