Walking Through Historic Whitman Mission In Washington State
Information courtesy of National Park Service - U.S. Department of the Interior
This site commemorates the courage of Marcus and Narcissa Whitman, the role the Whitmans played in establishing the Oregon Trail, and the challenges encountered when two different cultures meet.
In 1836, before the wagon trains, a small intrepid group of Presbyterian missionaries traveled with the annual fur trapper’s caravan into “Oregon Country.” Missionaries Narcissa Whitman and Eliza Spalding became the first white women to travel across the continent. Differences in culture led to growing tensions between the Cayuse people and the Whitmans. Their mission became an important stop along the Oregon Trail, but passing immigrants added to the tension. A measles outbreak in 1847 killed half the local Cayuse. Some of the Cayuse blamed these deaths on Dr. Whitman. Dr. and Mrs. Whitman were killed; sixty people were taken hostage. The deaths of the Whitmans sent a shock wave across the country and prompted Congress to make Oregon a U.S. territory.
Whitman Mission is located in SE Washington, 7 miles west of Walla Walla, just off Hwy. 12.
Park Orientation:
Whitman Mission National Historic Site preserves the original mission grounds of the Waiilatpu Mission, the mass grave where the Whitmans are buried, and the 1897 memorial shaft. There is a self-guiding interpretive trail of the mission grounds, grave, and monument.
The site also includes a museum, a 10-minute introductory slide show, a bookstore, bathrooms, and picnic area. No food or drink is available for purchase at the site.
Ranger talks are presented during the summer. The park also hosts demonstrations and special events.
Whitman Mission NHS is a popular field trip destination. Field trip information and teachers guides are available at the Learning Place.
Human History - Overview:
People have lived in the Pacific Northwest for thousands of years. The Pacific Northwest has two distinct areas: the wetter coastal area and a drier grass-scrubland plain east of the Cascade Mountains. In the mid 1700s tribes on the plain obtained horses, which thrived on the vast grassland. The Cayuse, Nez Perce and other groups became famous for their horses.
In the late 1700’s European and American sailors discovered the coastal region of the Pacific Northwest. Soon explorers were coming overland from the east. Fur trappers were not far behind. Missionaries first arrived in the 1830s. The example set by the missionary wives inspired ordinary families to travel to what they called “Oregon Country.”
Education:
Whitman Mission provides opportunities for teachers and students both on and off the mission grounds.
On-Site Opportunities:
Whitman Mission is a very popular field trip destination. To guarantee a good experience for everybody we ask that groups make reservations. Please see the Field Trip Guide for details. Special demonstrations are available about the Cayuse culture, the Oregon Trail, and spinning. These demonstrations can be requested when making the reservation. Each demonstration takes approximately 20 minutes. To further aid teachers a museum activity sheet is provided in the Whitman Mission Teacher’s Guide.
Whitman Mission Visitor Center
Open All Year
Summer 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Rest of Year 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
