It's YOUR Heritage, Too!

As darn near everyone in the world of not-for-profit enterprises [Fort Walla Walla Museum is a 501 (c) 3] will tell you, playing 'give-away' is mighty hard to do. We have a duty to be of public service and, out here on Myra Road in the beautiful Walla Walla Valley, we take that seriously.

Everyone should be able to connect with their heritage and for us that means folks who've lived here 'forever' (our Indian friends), those whose forebearers took up residence in the Frenchtown area during the 1820s (retirees from Hudson's Bay Company's Fort Walla Walla and their Indian and Metis families), scions of the earliest pioneer families, and those who arrived yesterday on their own migratory passages. If you live here, the heritage belongs to you.

Cost should not be the determinant in making the connection. We offer free family passes to a wide variety of social service agencies including BMAC, Children's Home Society, Lillian Rice Center, Christian Aid Society, YWCA, and others. We also partner with area schools to provide free admission for families whose economic challenges may preclude a Museum visit. Beyond that, we've offered our most recent book, Soldiers, Pioneers and Indian People, to schools and libraries throughout the region without cost to them.

We also contribute to some worthy causes. We get asked periodically to assist various entities' fundraisers. When appropriate, we're happy to comply. We had the opportunity to meet the winners of a "Walla Walla Get-Away" yesterday when they brought their free passes to the Museum. The passes were part of a package that included lodging, dinner, and a pair of winery tastings. As they are still traveling (and fairly far from home), I'll forego providing their point of origin, lest the criminal element of their home turf find those empty homes an easy mark.

They are having a wonderful time, especially enjoying the warm weather currently underway. It feels good to invite people to our hometown and see them enjoy it so well. Tourism is a key component of the local economy and the Museum's visitors, according to a variety of statistics, contribute about $2.5 million annually. That's just another way we work to 'preserve and share the heritage of the Walla Walla region.'

Building progress: After being away for a few days, I can see progress has been made. The main entries (front and back) have been boarded up, primarily to cut the dust for the mudders completing drywall work. The wood aspect of the log-look entry is also complete. Yesterday I noticed a workman installing frames around the six bathroom windows ... the windows will supply welcome light to both the men's & women's restrooms. Note: we heard our female advisors loud and clear~ their are four stalls in the womens, as opposed to just two in the men's. Perhaps equality means an equal time waiting for an unoccupied space.

Today's photos include the visiting gropup as they mug for the camera in our Ewe Guessed It: Woolen Goods from the Walla Walla Region special exhibit on display through September 7 and the blockhouse entry. The young lady is a French girl I met at the Farmer's Mrket last Saturday. She enjoyed playing with our 'demo' Jacobs Ladder toy that she's holding, as well as the cup 'n ball game we keep on hand for kids just like her. She and her family were nice folks, visiting their American family ... made me wish I knew more French beyond 'bon jour!'