Sacajawea and Jean-Baptiste

This bronze memorial in Washington Park depicts Sacagawea standing with her young son Jean Baptiste at her side. The sculpture captures a moment of motherhood during a pivotal journey across the American continent.

The sculpture was created by artist Alice Cooper in 1905 to commemorate the centennial of the Lewis and Clark expedition. It emerged during a period when greater recognition of women's roles in history was being pursued.

The sculpture honors Sacagawea as the sole woman who participated in the Lewis and Clark expedition across North America. Community women in Portland chose to create this memorial to ensure her contribution would be remembered.

The memorial sits along the pathways of Washington Park and is accessible to visitors at any time. The site is well maintained by local arts organizations that care for the grounds.

Prominent suffragists including Susan B. Anthony attended the dedication of this memorial on July 6, 1905. This connection reflects how the monument became intertwined with the women's rights movement of that era.

GPS coordinates: 45.52148,-122.70229

Latest update: December 11, 2025 18:07