Tonti Collection

La Salles Party Feasted in the Illinois Village, January 2nd 1680
5857886 La Salles Party Feasted in the Illinois Village, January 2nd 1680, 1847-1848 (oil on canvas) by Catlin, George (1796-1872); 42x60.5 cm; National Gallery of Art, Washington DC

Father Hennepin leaving the Mississippi to Join la Salle, May 8th 1680
5857891 Father Hennepin leaving the Mississippi to Join la Salle, May 8th 1680, 1847-48 (oil on canvas) by Catlin, George (1796-1872); 37.8x56.4 cm; National Gallery of Art, Washington DC

Father Hennepin and Companions Passing Lovers Leap, April 1680
5858116 Father Hennepin and Companions Passing Lovers Leap, April 1680, 1847-48 (oil on canvas) by Catlin, George (1796-1872); 37.8 x56.2 cm; National Gallery of Art, Washington DC

The Expedition Encamped below the Falls of the Niagara on 20th January 1679
5042984 The Expedition Encamped below the Falls of the Niagara on 20th January 1679, 1847-48 (oil on canvas) by Catlin, George (1796-1872); 37.8x56.2 cm; National Gallery of Art, Washington DC

Father Hennepin and Two Companions Made Prisoners by the Sioux, April 1680
5858120 Father Hennepin and Two Companions Made Prisoners by the Sioux, April 1680, 1847-48 (oil on canvas) by Catlin, George (1796-1872); 42x60.5 cm; National Gallery of Art, Washington DC

The Griffin Entering the Harbor at Mackinaw, August 27th 1679, 1847-48 (oil on canvas)
5858118 The Griffin Entering the Harbor at Mackinaw, August 27th 1679, 1847-48 (oil on canvas) by Catlin, George (1796-1872); 38x56.2 cm; National Gallery of Art, Washington DC

La Salle and Party Arrive at the Village of the Illinois, January 1st 1680
5857887 La Salle and Party Arrive at the Village of the Illinois, January 1st 1680, 1847-48 (oil on canvas) by Catlin, George (1796-1872); 37.8x56.2 cm; National Gallery of Art, Washington DC

La Salle Driving the First Bolt for the Griffin, January 26th 1679
5857890 La Salle Driving the First Bolt for the Griffin, January 26th 1679, 1847-48 (oil on canvas) by Catlin, George (1796-1872); 37.8x56.3 cm; National Gallery of Art, Washington DC

First Sailing of the Griffin on Lake Erie, August 7th 1679, 1847-48 (oil on canvas)
5858117 First Sailing of the Griffin on Lake Erie, August 7th 1679, 1847-48 (oil on canvas) by Catlin, George (1796-1872); 37.8x56.5 cm; National Gallery of Art, Washington DC

Launching of the Griffin. July 1679, 1847-48 (oil on canvas)
5858114 Launching of the Griffin. July 1679, 1847-48 (oil on canvas) by Catlin, George (1796-1872); 37.8x56.2 cm; National Gallery of Art, Washington DC

Father Hennepin and his men at the Falls of St. Anthony, May 1st, 1680
5858119 Father Hennepin and his men at the Falls of St. Anthony, May 1st, 1680, 1847-48 (oil on canvas) by Catlin, George (1796-1872); 37.8x56.4 cm; National Gallery of Art, Washington DC

The Expedition Encamped below the Falls of Niagara. January 20, 1679, 1847 / 1848
The Expedition Encamped below the Falls of Niagara. January 20, 1679, 1847/1848. De Tonty and his companions, encamped on the shore of Lake Ontario

De Tonty Suing for Peace in the Iroquois Village. January 2, 1680, 1847 / 1848
De Tonty Suing for Peace in the Iroquois Village. January 2, 1680, 1847/1848

PEXP2A-00051
Title page of Henri de Tontis account of the La Salle expedition. Woodcut with a watercolor wash of the English edition, printed in London 1698

De Tonty Suing for Peace in the Iroquois Village in January 1680, 1847-48 (oil on canvas)
XTD82562 De Tonty Suing for Peace in the Iroquois Village in January 1680, 1847-48 (oil on canvas) by Catlin, George (1796-1872); 37.8x56.2 cm; National Gallery of Art, Washington DC

Site of Henri de Tontis French settlement, 1686
Replica of cross marking Henri de Tontis 1686 French trading settlement, Arkansas Post National Memorial, Arkansas. Digital photograph

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"Tonti: A Journey Through Time" Step back in time to the year 1679, when brave explorers embarked on a remarkable expedition. Led by the intrepid La Salle, they set sail aboard the magnificent Griffin, venturing into uncharted waters and unknown territories. On August 7th, 1679, history was made as the Griffin took its first voyage across Lake Erie. The sight of this majestic ship gliding through the water must have been awe-inspiring for all who witnessed it. Months later, on January 20th, 1680, the expedition found themselves encamped below the thunderous Falls of Niagara. The sheer power and beauty of nature's masterpiece left them humbled and filled with wonder. Father Hennepin played a crucial role in this journey. On May 1st, 1680, he stood alongside his men at the breathtaking Falls of St. Anthony. Their spirits soared as they marveled at this natural wonder that seemed to defy gravity itself. However, not all moments were filled with joy and amazement. In April of that same year, Father Hennepin and two companions fell into captivity at the hands of Sioux warriors. It was a challenging ordeal that tested their resilience and faith. Yet amidst adversity came triumphs worth celebrating. On January 26th, 1679, La Salle drove home the first bolt for the Griffin—a symbol of progress and determination that would propel them forward towards their goals. As they continued their journey along Mississippi River in May of that year—specifically on May 8th—they bid farewell to its mighty currents as Father Hennepin joined forces with La Salle once again to forge ahead towards new horizons. Their path led them through an Illinois village where festivities awaited them on January 2nd, 1680—a momentary respite from their arduous travels but also an opportunity to forge alliances and deepen their understanding of the land they traversed.