Oregon Black Pioneers’ exhibit, “A Man Called York,” is on display in the library Studio from October 21 – December 18.

York was an enslaved man who took part in the Lewis and Clark Expedition from 1803-1806.

In 1803, William Clark was asked to become co-captain on a military expedition to the Pacific. Clark accepted, and decided York would come on the expedition too. York had the same skills as the nine other Kentuckians Clark recruited for the expedition. But unlike those men, York was not considered an official member of the “Corps of Discovery”. As an enslaved person, he would not be paid for his labors. York was also leaving behind his wife who he had married in 1802.

Come see the exhibit to learn more about York’s experiences during the Expedition, his life before and after, and his important role in history.