whitman mission

johnhU4916TC

If you want a glimpse into what life was like back before this area was fully settled. Come check out the Whitman Mission, you can see the foundations from the original mission settlement and check out some great information on Marcus and Narcissa and their journey to and settlement in the area. If you come in the middle of summer, be aware that it can be very very warm out in the middle of the wheat fields, but the walk up to the Memorial Shaft gives a nice elevated view of the area.

RonP217

Very historical and informative. The Center closes at 4:30, but stick around and climb to the top of the hill to watch the sun go down. Very peaceful to go up there and reflect on the activity that transpired there many years ago.

Bellinghamster64

The introductory video in the park center gave a comprehensive overview of the Whitmans and the events of their time. It provided a nice historical background for our subsequent walk around the grounds. The grounds are well kept and had helpful audio that we could listen on demand. Time here was well-spent and free! I would highly recommend watching the video in the visitor center prior to touring the grounds.

888martys

Learn a little history about Walla Walla and the early ignorance of white men thinking they were helping the local indigenous people while instead bringing disease to the locals and paying the ultimate price for their well intentioned ideas.

304keithk

You get an eerie feeling. Barebones memorials, no original buildings, but the crypt and location make you stop and think.

joanneh501

A very nice museum and the grounds are lovely. places for picnics and a short hike to the monument overlooks the Walla Walla valley, so very beautiful....the store has some great books too!

oldcaptain64

A remarkably well done historical site. Visitor center is very nice and the staff knowledgeable . A small but interesting slice of American history. To stand in the wagon ruts of the Oregon Trail and realize what a long and sometimes terrible journey it was.

911Visitor

We visited as part of a tour group. We had an introduction to this as part of the group the night before, so we were very familiar with it on arrival. Overall, a pleasant place with significant historical interest, but not much remains to see, other than minimal recreations.

Ponderosajoe

This National Park historic site is well planned out and very educational as to what happened to the whites and Indians many years ago. The visitor center is well done and the staff is very knowledgeable. The historical event had a lot to do with how the whites in Washington DC viewed the Indians and what they decided to do about them. Sometimes sad as you read and begin to understand how we treated the Indians back then. Well worth the stop.

aaronc849

Fun bike ride out there, but not much beyond that. We grabbed the pamphlet to read about it. Open field to walk around and read markers of info. A little hike up a small hill to view a monument.

sjsl8

Didnt know anything about the mission before this visit found out it was quite an important part of the Oregon trail watch the movie first then off to the grounds they have audio stops along the grounds not really much. up to the monument is a must as the view is quite dramatic being free is a plus and a pleasant break from wine tasting

GilB867

Although I am an avid reader of American history this was a piece history I had never read or knew of before my visit. The park is in a peaceful sitting just a short distance from the little town of Walla Walla, WA.The Visitor's Center contains artifacts, photos, exhibits, and a film which tell the story of the Whitmans and the Spauldings who were the first American families to cross the continent overland. The film explains that Narcissa Whitman and her husband Dr Whitman along with others were killed at this site due in a complex relationship between the Whitman's and the indians.This is story told many times over of well intentioned missionaries bring disease and misery to indigenous people they are trying to help.Well worth a visit to learn of this chapter in our American history. A very similar tale is told of the Spauldings who founded Spaulding ID and meet a similar fate at the hands of local Indians there.

Engine40

The history lesson you get and the things are see are great. I love to see this stuff. And it's free. But since it's free they can't really take care of it like they should. Grass is all dead and there are lot many exhibits inside. But the history lesson is worth the trip.

thunefeld

The National Park Service has done an excellent job of recapturing the feeling of the old mission and the tragedy that occurred here. I arrived on a Tuesday morning to discover that the interpretive center is closed Mondays and Tuesdays - but that turned into a blessing. Being there alone with my thoughts - and the ghosts of the Whitmans - was a moving experience. Interpretive panels throughout the grounds point the way. Added benefit on a Monday or Tuesday: free admission :-)

Flatass

This is a location of great significance in Pacific Northwest history but there really isn't much here. The Park Service could do much more to showcase this landmark and to educate the public.