‍The exhibition will present the ‘discovery’ of the American West by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark as a set of critical encounters with people and plants, long familiar to America’s Indigenous people.

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“This groundbreaking exhibition will present a new perspective of America’s foundational story of exploration and discovery – one that is rarely heard, yet absolutely fundamental to the country’s sense of self. Botany of Nations showcases the perspective of the Tribal Nations whose lands were traversed and whose knowledge was vital to the expedition’s successThis exhibition is about deep collaboration - one that centres the cultural authority of partnering Indigenous scholars and knowledge keepers to provide a more layered, complete and nuanced understanding of this complicated time in history.” - Scott Cooper, President and CEO, Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University.

“We share the Academy’s commitment to collaboration,” says Kirsty Kelso, Director of Content at Casson Mann. “It is a privilege for us, as a British firm, to have the opportunity to work with experts and curators who correct the balance on American history. Casson Mann are responding to this opportunity with an innovative design approach, to celebrate the counternarrative, encourage dialogue and challenge knowledge structures.”

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The exhibition will open on 28th March, 2026 in the William B. Dietrich Gallery at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University, Philadelphia.

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