June 07, 2012

D.C.-area youth makes pilgrimage to Lewis & Clark’s York statue

Jackson Davis, a 12-year-old from the Washington, D.C., area, visited Lewis & Clark last month as part of his national drive to create a postage stamp honoring York.

Lewis & Clark and the York statue on campus had a special visitor in May. Jackson Davis, a 12-year-old from the Washington, D.C., area, is leading a national drive to create a postage stamp honoring York, the only African American on the Lewis and Clark expedition.

Jackson and his mother, Cynthia Davis, visited the college to get to see the York statue and its campus home. In addition to “meeting” York, the Davises spent time in the library special collections with Doug Erickson, toured the newly renamed York Graduate Center with Dean Scott Fletcher, and met with Ombuds Valerie White, who spoke at the York dedication ceremony.

“I’m touching York’s gun,” Davis said while posing for a photo with the statue. “Having a gun is a big deal. Slaves were never given a gun. Hats off to him. He was a strong, courageous man.”

For more information on Jackson Davis and his campaign for a York stamp, see this Washington Post feature.