- 1673 Louis Jolliet was sent to locate the fabled Mississippi River and determine into what body of water it discharged. Along with Father Jacques Marquette, he explored the River from the mouth of the Wisconsin down to the Arkansas River where he determined that the Mississippi discharged into the Gulf of Mexico.
- On his return journey, Jolliet became the first European to explore the Illinois and Des Plaines Rivers and traverse the Chicago Portage.
- In 1973 a multistate Tricentennial commission was assembled to commemorate the three hundredth anniversary of Jolliet’s discovery.
- Ralph Frese suggested an authentic recreation of the journey and became a member of the commission.
- Reid Lewis portrayed Jolliet
- The purpose of the reenactment was to celebrate the French exploration and occupation of the Illinois and Mississippi River valleys. Check this with the commission documents.
- The reenactment was a resounding success.
- In the intervening fifty years, much new information concerning the French exploration of the Midwest had come to light.
- Greg Taylor is now proposing to once again recreate Jolliet’s landmark exploration to celebrate the 350th anniversary of the voyage.
- He proposes to implement a more authentic reenactment of Jolliet’s expedition, incorporating a more correct depiction of what Jolliet encountered along his route.
- Greg has secured the endorsement and assistance of Reid Lewis.
- He has also secured the endorsement and assistance of Rich Gross a member of La Salle Expedition II and published historian on the history of French exploration and occupation of the Illinois and Mississippi valleys.
