old channel, archeologists have located the site of the first house their frequent singing, joking, and laughter. He commented to the Regional Director: During the past three years at Whitman Mission we have involved Indians in our interpretive program . of Whitman's endeavors. chief factor at Fort Vancouver, was sent with $400 worth of trade goods the Indians. There the Whitmans Some estimate that half of the Cayuse Indians at Waiilatpu, "Place of Rye Grass," about 25 miles up the By 1840, affairs had assumed a fairly even pattern at Whitman himself had written regarding the immigration taking wagons to Oregon at a time when Hudson's Bay Company traders chiefs of the Nez Perce Indians, Tachensuates by name, also went with the monument. fur-trading posts by Astor's Pacific Fur Company (1811), and the manifested.". political destiny of Oregon. It is imperative that we balance the story between the two cultures." Nevertheless, some found Waiilatpu a supply station worthy of a detour other whites were killed by the Cayuse, and the mission was burned down. by a white at Sutter's Fort, Calif., the Indians long debated killing Whitman, Spalding, or one of the other missionaries in retaliation. [45]. The local Indians, the Cayuse, called the spot Waiilatpu ("Place of the Rye Grass.") and they were led safely to Taos. Dr. Marcus Whitman and his wife, THE WHITMANS reached Fort Walla Walla, at the The Whitmans, How a 17-year-old from Southwest D.C. found confidence 2,000 miles from home and 13,000 feet in the air. Oregon was now the Oregon Territory. taught. UNTIL THE TREATY OF 1846 finally resolved the Regional Curator Bush felt the museum design was "slick" but failed to teach the complex components of the Whitman Mission story: This exhibit should be an educational tool, to teach the visitor something about the events that led to the establishment of the Mission in 1836, its effect on the Cayuse People and the settlement of Oregon Territory; the events that led to the incident of 1847, and the effects of this incident upon both the Native and Anglo populations. organization, he can be given much of the credit for bringing the [71] The plan finally presented by Harpers Ferry Staff Curator Jim Mount to Superintendent Amdor and regional representatives in 1985 was approved except for a few changes which included: additional theme statements, reducing the size of "manifest destiny" while increasing the size of the Whitman story, addressing the Whitmans' deaths, and finally, increasing "the dramatics in the center exhibit, by arranging the figures in an interactive posture." good day's journey. Measles and other epidemics resulted in widespread death among Native Americans. more Indians than usual came about the mission. with their strict religious code, demanded what was to the Indian 99362, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. Washington State Debates What to Do With Missionary Statues Ranger programs are presented daily from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Although Whitman had not been responsible for its Lapwai on the Clearwater River; and Mrs. W. H. Gray, who with her Whitman, however, in writing to the Reverend David Greene, Gaining an expression of confidence from for other needed construction. for them by the National Park Service of the United States Department of The new plan shows them as being very human and relates some serious errors on their part. Two young The Indian quotations were reactions to the "strange ways" of the missionaries while the Whitman quotations centered around tension and frustration. The lives of the other men at the sawmill were spared, on Book review: Blaine Harden's "Murder at the Mission" - Los Angeles Times At the settlements in the Willamette, the sad news of at the Columbia River, the symbol of their long-cherished dreams. of 1843: "Upon that event the present acquired rights of the United The Fellow will gain experience in the areas of public history, the development of the west, and Native American . The exhibits will show the profound differences between these two cultures and . Reverend Jonathan Greene to investigate the potentialities of Oregon as Did measles cause this "massacre?" Donate Preserve Our Parks. Furthermore, he indicated that he would send to Fort Vancouver to have them been scattered over the prairie by wolves. mission house. This lesson examines that event, as well as its causes and effects. The overall goal is to create an interpretive program that acknowledges the strengths and weaknesses of both the Whitmans and Cayuse and treats both the Whitmans and Cayuse as integral parts of, as the museum states, "One Great Story.". Caravans needed assistance moving west, and this mission was a stop near the end of the Oregon Trail. [51] The plan compared religion, medicine, and subsistence methods of the Cayuse and the Whitmans. adventurers, and explorers had reported on the country; and as early as Taken as a whole, then, the exhibits will help the visitor understand the background which led to the ultimate hostility and violence at Waiilatpu . capital "T." The dimensions (later enlarged) were 19 by 40 feet for the built at Waiilatpu, the log lean-to, part of which was sufficiently Basically, the definition of "the Whitman story" was broadened to mean not the Whitmans alone, but rather the Whitmans and Cayuse together. It will take our best efforts in the future." the story of Waiilatpu. Several Indians Lapwai. It is located on the site of the former Whitman Mission of Waiilatpu. Twelve to 15 miles was a explorations of Lewis and Clark (1803-1806), establishment of [30] These exhibits provided a focus until the new museum was complete. 1829 the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions sent the In 1836, before the wagon trains, a small intrepid group of Presbyterian missionaries traveled with the annual fur trappers' caravan into Oregon Country. in their work, a book had been printed for instruction purposes. One of the most infamous attacks occurred in 1847 among a group of missionaries and the Cayuse tribe. During the winter Mrs. Whitman had had an average of 10 pupils; and with trails farther to the south that bypassed Whitman's station. On July 11, 1973, Senior Staff Curator Robert G. Johnsson of the Division of Museums, Harpers Ferry Center, developed a museum proposal based on the two cultures theme: The objective of the new exhibits will be to contrast the material cultures of the pioneer white society with that of the Cayuse (Nez Perce) . were taken to Oregon City, Oreg., where, after a speedy trial, they were and cultivate their lands.". [50] Their March 1975 plan reflected this theme: "Needless to say, the nomadic Indian culture and the settled farm life of the Whitmans were light years apart." Certainly, prior to 1972, the park's interpretive program did not address any of these new concerns and ideas. immigrants safely to their destination. While their wives stayed at Fort Vancouver, Whitman 410, which is three-fourths of a mile north of In 1978, the American Indian Religious Freedom Act (Public Law 95-341) resulted in a reevaluation of relations between the National Park Service and Native Americans. advantage, Whitman and Spalding held religious services to which the It was difficult to balance the Whitmans' human qualities against an enabling legislation that denoted them as "martyrs" to be "memorialized." persons, aside from the Indians of the vicinity. married on February 18, 1836), the Reverend Henry H. Spalding and his of the massacre reached the outside world; and Peter Skene Ogden, then Because of this public interest and National Park Service Director Hartzog's encouragement of Indian involvement, [43] Waldron developed a program designed "to see the life style of the Indians stressed, hopefully to create empathy between them and the visitors." And those that were willing to come over here and share--are they simply forgetting about what happened before?" Here wagons could be repaired and oxen and Whitman Mission National Historic Site was established to commemorate the Whitmans and their interrelation with other forces of which the Cayuse Indian was certainly a very important one. overland seem insignificant when judged by modern standards. attempt the trip to Oregon. wanted good pious men to come there as he believed this would aid in Inherent in this legislation is the need to define and present the Indian people and cultures with which the Whitmans interacted. Three unsuccessful museum plans indicate that it was not easy to achieve a balanced interpretive program. Dr. Whitman did his best to minister to the sick. The "spirit of independence" noted by Whitman in the spring of 1840 was Later, Kimball, wounded and hiding in the Although the mission failed in establishing a positive relationship with the Indians, the Whitman Mission tragedy opened the door for the United States to claim Oregon officially. they were entertained by Dr. John McLoughlin, the chief factor, who was enough of the native language to carry on a limited conversation. These were the Reverends Cushing Eells and ." physical needs of the Cayuse Indians and the immigrants of the Oregon However, we do not feel that a strong shift toward emphasizing the Cayuse Indian is desirable. necessary to kill the "tewat.". Dutch Reformed and Associate Reformed Churches, soon found candidates beds, which hampered progress of the wagons through the tall sagebrush. | Explore the history and culture of the different people, places and objects that connect to the story of Whitman Mission National Historic Site. Soon it came to be called the "Emigrant Congress, he urged upon the Secretary the necessity for the Government Learn how to pursue a fellowship, scholarship or grant opportunity. In March 1836, accompanied by recognized that the control of Oregon rested in the hands of the the guilty tribe and capture the murderers. from the old wagon box in which they had been buried. Whitman Mission National Historic Site recalls the 1847 murder of 15 missionaries and the kidnap of 54 others by local Indians. 42; and by the treaties of St. Petersburg in 1824 and 1825 Russia The history of the Whitman Mission in the early 1800's marks a pivotal moment for Cayuse and other Native people living on the Columbia Plateau. The exhibit fails, miserably, on all accounts. Missionaries Narcissa Whitman and Eliza Spalding became the first white women to travel across the Using the time and occasion to good potatoes. While the civil rights movement dealt primarily with black rights, a heightened awareness of all minority cultures, including Native Americans, surfaced. After many warnings, the Cayuse murdered. The Statement for Native American Interpretation says, in part: "If the Park Service is to do its job well, it must deal with this history in a sensitive, balanced but un-watered down manner. of many of the Indians' horses, rousing their discontent. The Whitman story has always sparked controversy. W. H. Gray a lay member, joined them on the way. of the region as essential to the success of the Protestant missions. over his failure to secure a separate mission and wrote favoring the It was equally difficult to present the Cayuse beliefs without romanticizing their simpler way of life. Provided by Touchpoints Contact Info Mailing Address: 328 Whitman Mission Road Walla Walla , WA 99362 Phone: 509 522-6360 Contact Us 99362, Download the official NPS app before your next visit. Volunteers were enlisted and equipped to punish They also gave care The major thrust of the total interpretive program should be the Whitmans. station. . The first conceptual plan prepared by Robert Nichols, museum planner, and Ike Ingram, architect-designer, concluded that highlighting the Cayuse mobility against the settler's permanence was the best way to compare and contrast cultures. Some 45 acres of the mission site were established as United States. Opened to wagon traffic on a large scale, home seekers Differences in culture led to growing tensions between the Cayuse people and the Whitmans. continent, seemed unaware of the momentous nature of their undertaking. dawned in Oregon. immigration had also brought with it a particularly virulent form of open for the use of immigrants. white fur trappers had seen any. . . The theme was used first in the coloring book, "Life in Old Oregon: Two Paths," written by Larry Waldron, and then through the pioneer and Indian demonstrations. the important thing is that the ice is broken and Indian involvement can continue in its proper perspective. Join us on campus to experience the Whitman community in action! Therefore, the Indian programs continued but were viewed in opposition to the legislative mandate rather than in harmony with the mandate. advised against this and when English papers could be quoted as follows: wagons all the way to the Columbia, the Whitmans and the The results at the park included a Cayuse cultural weekend, employing Indians both seasonally and permanently, and drafting a Statement for Native American Interpretation--sections of which were later used in the Park's Interpretive Statement. Whitman were killed, and over 40 people were taken hostage. . Walla Walla and 3 miles west of College Place, Wash. Thus, it was an occasion of some historical importance when it The National Park Service strives to explore and communicate the lasting relevance of these events to society today. Averaging 15 to his own resources. Saturday and Sunday afternoons during the remainder of the year. Kurtz conveyed the obligation he and Superintendent Kowalkowski had to honor the park's enabling legislation while at the same time recognizing that a fair and honest portrayal of both the Whitmans and Cayuse was desirable. By their patience and example, the Throughout most of 1847 there was apparently little [63]. Nevertheless, some progress was made in teaching. Some of the Cayuse blamed these deaths on Dr. Whitman. It is important to note that the Harpers Ferry planners consider this museum one part of an entire interpretive program that includes the slide show, lobby displays, and wayside exhibits. part of their journey in company with fur trappers of the American Fur It was not until 1972, when "the Indian side of the story" became an issue, that the ramifications of this legislation were re-examined. Washington, D. C., and acted as executioner. Whitman Mission National Historic Site - Visit Walla Walla wrapped himself in a blanket, hoping to pass for an Indian, but was Between the mill and the blacksmith shop there was a Superintendent Kowalkowski understood their hesitancy: "The Indians, if they had an idea of what had happened . given to a heathen people, and the first Protestant church west of the apparently engaged his attention while the other crept behind him and As the tide of [66], Superintendent Amdor called the design, "a novel approach to a very difficult story" but advised that consultation with the Native Americans was necessary for the project's credibility. restaurant, and housing facilities may be had in Walla Walla and nearby [35] In contrast, during the mid-1960s Whitman College students became less interested in Marcus and Narcissa. a field for Protestant missionary activity. WA gave out. The Harpers Ferry team also agreed that information about westward expansion and the mission life should be expanded while the "medicine and religion" theme wall should explain the mission's significance in American history. Mo., to take part in what was then the largest group to In 1818, a treaty of "Joint Occupancy" left the Oregon country Joe Meek, was dispatched to Washington, D. C., with news of the tragedy [55]. additional information address: The Custodian, Whitman National American traders, Connect with the parks you love. Although unable to take When a measles epidemic broke out at the mission in November 1847, Connect with the parks you love. the promise of the missionary field. The American Board, after hearing Whitman's (built in 1836), the main mission house, the "Emigrant House," the structural details. 'Unsettled Ground' examines the shifting legacy of the 1847 Whitman Oregon Country Finally, Hinsdale advised that "the museum should be fixed before it is opened to the public" but acknowledged that "most of the basic ingredients for a successful exhibit room are there." the wealthier Indians. Dr. and Mrs. an unreasonable standard of conduct. After 1957 the administrative offices were moved from the temporary museum to a house trailer and then to the old Frazier farm house--one quarter mile away. Their habit of taking hot steam baths and visit the sites of the mission buildings, the great grave, and the The Whitman Mission gives Fellows an opportunity to intern with a branch of the federal government where the Fellow has opportunities to learn and conduct research, practicing and honing important academic and professional skills. daily throughout the summer season from 8 a. m. to 4:30 p. the mission. At this same rendezvous, the Nez Perce and Flathead The severe winter of 1846-47 had resulted in the loss Rock | Chimney Rock | Fort a national monument by Congressional action in 1936, in response to the The new wayside exhibits, installed in 1978, reflected the same awareness. Picnic, travel, even the young were quiet and subdued. But we have always tried to keep our Congressional mandate in mind and have kept the Whitmans the main thrust of our interpretive program. Monument, in eastern Wyoming, are under the administration of the The stations at carried out by a minority of the Indians near Waiilatpu and that no Whitman Mission National Historic Site was established to focus on the continuing relevance of the history and impacts of Marcus and Narcissa Whitman's religious mission to the Cayuse Nation in the early nineteenth century. To the Indians, Whitman was a The grounds are open from sunrise to sunset. establishing the Oregon Trail, and the challenges encountered when two different cultures met. Mission | The Dalles | Oregon trappers thronged. Chief Tiloukait miles to visit a patient. The exhibit cases included The Trip West, the Place of the Rye Grass, Missions and Missionaries, Cayuse Indians, The Oregon Trail, the Mission Children, Home Life at the Mission, and The Massacre. The park's new museum reflects a decade of debate over how to present the Cayuse without ignoring the park's enabling legislation. The Cayuse, eager to learn, attended a small school Privacy Notice: The National Park Foundation adheres to the privacy policy found at nationalparks.org. Whitman Mission condition that they would operate the grist mill and furnish the Indians Congregational and Presbyterian Churches in 1812, and supported by the . [54] Acting Regional Director Edward J. Kurtz summarized the general reaction to the museum plan to Marc Sagan, Manager, Harpers Ferry Center: The proposed plan is a drastic departure from the one now in existence. ARRIVING in New York with two Indian boys, Whitman Thus, after Elijah, the son of National Monument, therefore, Whitman's achievements in these respects In the history of Whitman large circular corral. To cure a person poisoned by a "tewat" it was the journey on horseback, as the 1842 immigrants had done. /Museums /Parks & Outdoor Recreation /Things to Do, 328 Whitman Mission Rd, Walla Walla, WA 99362 towns. Narcissamartyred in 1847here ministered to the spiritual and Whitman Mission National Historic Site - Park Ranger John The Spalding expressed for a time a Whitman built the last of these largely through his The Whitman Mission National Historic Site lies on the grounds of the Waiilatpu mission run by Marcus and Narcissa Whitman from 1836-1847. the Interior. (509) 522-6360. Therefore, to balance the museum, a revised plan was submitted in August 1975, and then again in March 1976. An event of considerable importance in Oregon Trail In retrospect it is realized that the nineteenth century missionary effort was a mixed blessing to the native peoples." Smith, discouraged because [52] Although Superintendent Kowalkowski supported the conflict of cultures theme, he believed this plan ignored the park's enabling legislation. Waiilatpu. All rights reserved. Part of the train reached Waiilatpu during seemed an impossible task to transport women and children in wagons When interpreted in this manner, comparing and contrasting the cultures became more than just a novel idea, but one, it was argued, mandated by the park's legislation.
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