Karl Bodmer's America, a display of all 81 of the Swiss artists aquatints, goes on display Thursday at the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center in Washburn.

"This is the first time we have ever put all 81 prints on display at once," said Lewis & Clark Fort Mandan vice president Wendy Spencer. The exhibit will continue through 2009.

Bodmer traveled to America with the German Prince Maximilian in 1832 and after a journey across the country arrived in St. Louis. There, he met with William Clark, who suggested he go up the Missouri River to visit the Mandan Indians.

Following Clark's advice and armed with his maps, Maximilian and Bodmer arrived at Fort Clark on June 19, 1833, continuing their journey to Fort Union and into Montana. In the fall of that year, they returned to Fort Clark, where they spent the winter and Bodmer sketched and painted the people and landscapes that endure to this day.

The display is part of the Lewis & Clark Fort Mandan Foundation's celebration of the 175th anniversary of the Maximilian and Bodmer Expedition.

A symposium is planned at Bismarck State College Oct. 23-27 and an exhibit of Maximilian artifacts will open at that time in the interpretive center.

For more details and to keep posted on registration information for the symposium, go to www.fortmandan.com or call the foundation at 877-462-8535.

The Interpretive Center and Fort Mandan are open seven days a week, from 9:00 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $7.50 for adults and $5 for students, with foundation members free.