History Comes Alive!

We take history seriously at Fort Walla Walla Museum, but we're also aware that not everyone else wants a lecture on the subject. One of the most interesting and entertaining ways of learning a little about regional heritage is through our Living History program, the first of whose presentations occurs this Sunday at 2:00 pm.

It's important to learn from our past. As philospher George Santayana once wrote, "Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it." The Museum's Living History Company, through its more than 40 weekend presentations through the season, tells the stories of real people in their 'own voice' who helped create the community we have today. I get first nod of the season as I portray Lewis & Clark Expedition member John Colter. Next week, Charles Saranto portrays one of the best stories anywhere as pioneer blacksmith & hotelier Fred Stine.

Through the season, which features performance every Sunday, plus Saturday June through August, you can enjoy Captain Mullan from Mullan Trail fame, Madame Josephine 'Dutch Jo' Wolf, early brewmasters John & Catherine Stahl, Hudson's Bay Company trader William McBean, Suzanne Cayuse Dauphin who was one of the first Indian women to own property in this region, and many, many others. Included in the bunch are special presentations during Ice Cream Social, Women's History Celebration, Frenchtown Rendezvous, and a '19th Century Party' to conclude the season. The season has been described as "a 42-week course in Walla Walla history." Maybe so, but it sure is fun!

Today's photos, top to bottom, include Rich Monacelli as William McBean, Judith Fortney as Suzanne Cayuse Dauphin, Lois Hahn as 'Dutch Jo,' Charles Saranto as Fred Stine, and me, Paul Franzmann as John Colter.

We started our day out here at the Museum much like our pioneer ancestry did ... without computer connectivity. Like them, we are still subject to the whims of Mother Nature. It appears lighning took out our ISP's hardware up in the Blue Mountains.

Faced with that, we began work the old-fashined way ... by talking, and then by hand. By 11:00 or so, the system had come back on ... much sooner than anticipated ... and we were left to ponder the vagaries of modern technology, yet how pervasive (and necessary) they are to our daily lives.

Wouldn't the pioneers be amazed at what we can do? They might also be amazed at how few folks, comparativley, are involved in putting food on the table.

Enjoy the 'then and now' photos of regional agriculture.

Kids at the Museum

We love kids at Fort Walla Walla Museum! We have an admission-free School Tour Program that offers kids, their teachers, and schools an opportunity to walk through the past. Walla Walla wasn't always a sleepy little town at the end of the trail, but was something of a big deal, leading to the long-standing claim of 'Cradle of Northwest History.' The program attracts about, 5,000 participants each year and receives some generous corporate sponsorship from Boise, Inc.'s Wallula Mill, Pacific Power Foundation, and others.

We see lots of other young folks in the course of a year, too. From babies in backpacks, to toddlers in strollers, and schools kids all the way through their high school years, as well as some college students. Some of the latter have been among our most vibrant, active volunteers, putting the lie to "What's the matter with today's kids?" Well, not much in our view ... they are active in the community and already giving back of their own time. That makes us feel pretty good about the long-term prospects of preserving our heritage.

Today's blog is a salute to those wonderful young folks whose energy we envy and direction we try to quietly mentor. There may be problems in the world, but 'our' kids aren't among them. We think kids who make contact with their community's heritage are much better equipped to help make the decisions about a community's future.

Grandparents

Grandparents and grandchildren ... is there a more wonderful bond that exists in the world? Grandparents often are beyond the angst of child-rearing and the duties of discipline that fall more heavily on parents. Children get a little more freedom, but are still under the auspices of caring adults. For kids, the concept of their parents' parents is wonderful to explore ... "these are the people who knew my mom when she was my age."

We see lots of grandparent-grandchildren visitors at Fort Walla Walla Museum and we try to do our part to encourage that. The concept of the wisdom of elders being shared with a new generation is the foundation of human progress. On Grandparents Day, Sunday, September 13, the Museum offers free admission to all children under 12 who arrive with one or more grandparent. Day in/day out, the Museum offers a senior discount at $6 for those 62 and above and charges kids 6-12 just $3; kids under 6 get in free.

It's important for kids to know that many things they take for granted requires a lot of hands-on labor. Food doesn't magically arrive at the store, nor do their toys and clothes. Being able to equate their labor with productivity is a good way to ensure that things keep rollin' along the way they ought to.

Don't wait for a special occasion. We all know that parents are frightfully busy these days, so if you have an afternoon, grab your young ones and bring 'em out to the Museum. It's educational, it's fun, and it's a wonderful way to show those special kids how much you care about them.

Living, Breathing History

At Fort Walla Walla Museum, saying 'history comes alive' has some meaning. Each weekend (every Sunday, plus Saturdays June through August) during the season, you can experience more than 40 Living History performances. Some involve just one person, often telling of the past through an ancestor's eyes. Others are accomplished with two or three performers, and a some involve quite a few folks.

Most, but not all, of the characters portrayed lived in the 19th century. The 'rules' are that none of the performers has yet passed on, and are somewhat mystified as to how they 'travel through time' to be with the audience. Using 'talking sticks' to amplify their voices is technology beyond their ken.

Keeping in character is also one of the rules. Opinions on modern topics are not possible from those who lived 100 years or more in the past. It does, however, make you wonder what a real time traveler might think of modern ways of doing things or, better yet, how similar problems today were solved in the past.

All programs begin at 2:00 pm in the Museum's pioneer settlement. On the first and thrid Sundays of each month in the April through October visitation season, patrons can enjoy popular 19th century music with the Museum's own 'Oregon Trail Band.' The program has been described as a '40-course class in regional history.' I don't know about that, but the characters are always genuine, engaging, and ready to answer your questions. Oh, yes ... they're a lot of fun, too. A full schedule of programs can be found at www.fortwallawallamuseum.org/living_history.htm Come on out ... this ain't your high school history class!

Changing Face of Agriculture

The logo of Fort Walla Walla Museum includes these words: "Horse-Era Agriculture." That relates to the pre-mechanized way of doing farming and ranching in this part of the world, but as anyone who has ever traveled through this lovely corner of creation knows, this is still farm country.

Wheat still predominates, but vineyards are increasing in acreage every year. Onions still take up lots of room, but asparagus is no longer a major commodity. Orchards, too, are not as widely found as in previous years. Times change and crops changes, too, as do the animals involved in farming. At one time sheep were incredibly plentiful in the area, but no longer. Among the more interesting animals gaining a hoof-hold in the area are goats. One can see herds large and small in many different places, leading one to wonder what is done with all those animals.

The answer partly lies to the west of Dayton, where Montelleit Fromagerie does wonderful things with goat milk. I haven't seen any Angora goats, but that doesn't mean there aren't any in the neighborhood. Some go into meat production, something new for the palate in these parts.

The goat kids pictured here are from the Dalan Family Farm just west of Walla Walla. the kids were newborn last Tuesday, February 24. Enjoy!

Women's History

The Washington State Historical Society and Museum is about to kick-off the centennial commemoration of Washington State's women’s suffrage with the opening of "Women’s Votes, Women’s Voices" starting at 11 a.m this Saturday.

"Enter the Museum and transport back in time to a suffrage rally; join a women’s march, put on your women’s suffrage pin, and interact with costumed greeters and special guests. Enjoy performances from Living Voices, “Hear My Voice: Win the Vote,” and Linda Allen. Light refreshments will be served."

Schedule for exhibit opening celebration: 11 a.m. – Welcome, introductions, and exhibit acknowledgements 11:30 – Exhibit doors open after ribbon cutting 11:30 – 1 p.m. – Family art-making activity NOON – Refreshments served on the Mezzanine 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. “Women’s Voices” program in the Auditorium, featuring storyteller and actress Eva Abram, Living Voices, and singer/song writer Linda Allen.

FREE admission all day, special programming 11 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Visit WashingtonHistory.org for more information, hours and directions.

For the past few years, Fort Walla Walla Museum has been conducting its own "Women's History Celebration" in August, as we move within a decade of universal suffrage for American women. The women of the Living History Company explain the problems and successes, heartaches and joys of womanhood in their eras. http://www.fortwallawallamuseum.org/livinghistory/womenshistory.htm

To help honor the day, the Museum admits all girls age 12 & under for free and charges adult women 77% of the usual rate, to mark the fact that American women, on average, still earn only 77% of an average man's salary.

You might also wish to follow the saga of Narcissa Whitman in serial form as it appears in the Blue Mountain edition of Tidbits. Whitman Mission National Historic Site's Renee Rusler is spinning out the incredible story week by week.

Carrying the Past into the Future

"Carrying the Past into the Future" has been the byword of the Capital Campaign for our Services and Facilities Enhhancement Project, but this week it's been more like introducing the past to the future. The newness of this blog is testimony to that, but we've also instituted an acount with YouTube. Our "Community at a Crossroads" video can be seen by going to www.fortwallawallamuseum.org/support_us.htm and scrolling down to the bullet points near the bottom of the page. There's another of our volunteer, Emily, using American Sign Language to present 'The Pledge of Allegiance." That one's pretty funny, at least at the end ... and you can see that I need some work in the editing department. For 'Em,' click www.fortwallawallamuseum.org/volunteer.htm, again scroll down to the bullet points, looking for the word "Watch" as a link to 'Watch 'Em sign the Pledge."

That's a picture of Emily ... she may have set the all time record for carmel corn sales at Fall Harvest Festival that day.

We're also gearing up to a season enhanced by our many volunteers. We have a meeting scheduled for 10 am on March 25, so if you're interested, stop in and see where your talents can match our needs. The coffee pot will be on and someone is likely to bring donuts, too. Here's a chance to be productive and useful (we couldn't operate without all our volunteers), meet like-minded people, meet people from all across the country and around the world (we get visitors from all 50 states and at least 30 countries every year!), and a chance to share your accumulated wisdom, strengths, and skills with those of us who very nearly get 'paid to play.' You know, we are never so useful as when we serve others. Volunteering is good for the spirit and actually helps keep you healthier. Call a pal and see what you can do to "help carry the past into the future!"

Heritage Day

We still have nearly five weeks before our visitation season officially begins, but the staff is working hard to get ready for the season. One of the things we're most looking forward to is a change in the schedule for September. We moved our annual Fall Harvest Festival back a week, so that this year it will happen on Sep. 26-27. We saw an unusually cold and rainy event last year, so we'll keep our fingers crossed for fair weather in 2009.

What makes things exciting thins year is the hopeful realization of a dream. We recognize the amazing diversity in our community and are also aware of that diversity over time.

We have long thought to portray a 'heritage day,' wherein all the various components that make up the patchwork quilt of our home can come together to share that which each group feels is its own distinguishing characteristics. Whether language, faith, music, dance, or food, those things that identify us as unique are also characteristics that identify as all belonging to humanity. What a wonderful thing to share our separate perspectives with our neighbors so that our understanding and appreciation of all that makes this a great area to live, work and play can flourish and grow!

Does your group have something to offer?

Call us at 509.525.7703!

Soldiers, Pioneers & Indian People

Our Services and Facilities Enhancement Project awaits an archaeological review from the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. From the historical view, the Museum grounds, and before that the U.S. Army's Fort Walla Walla, were part of the the homeland of the tribes, particularly the Cayuse people. As we learned during the research phase of a Lewis & Clark-related exhibit, the Cayuse spoke a language different from virtually all the other groups in the region. In the aftermath of the tragedies at Whitman Mission and the ensuing 'Cayuse War,' the Cayuse people were reduced to half their former numbers and became dispersed. When that happened, the language went into disuse until these days it is considered a 'dead language.' Sadly, not enough elders are left who can speak enough of the language to keep it alive.

The Museum conducted what is often referred to as a 'shovel survey.' That means that a grid pattern was established in the area proposed for construction and at specific points, shovel holes were dug to see what, if anything, existed near the surface. Soil layering was examined, sifiting of removed soil was accomplished, and an examination of exisiting geological data was also done. If you've not been on a 'dig' before, it is hot, dirty work. There are no short cuts to getting quality results. Four of us worked on different points of the grid over the course of two months. While many people think that finding 'something' is the point, it is the determination of what happened in an area that drives the work.

How We Got to be This Way

On April 1, 2009 Fort Walla Walla Museum will open its 42nd season of visitation at the current location on Myra Road in "beautiful, historic Walla Walla." Nevertheless, the Museum traces its roots to a pioneer association of the 1880s. Through one incarnation into another to this point, the mission is to preserve and share Walla Walla regional heritage.

What is regional? When Walla Walla became a county in 1859 ... at the time Oregon went from territorial status to statehood ... the county encompassed more than 160,000 square miles in what are now Washington (east of the Cascade Mountains), Idaho, Western Montana, and Southwest Wyoming. It didn't last long, but it is historical fact. These days, the Museum considers 'region' to mean the area served by the troopers who were posted at our namesake fort. In practical, modern terms, that accounts for our trade area, too. We include the more than 300,000 people who live more or less within an hour's drive of the Museum. Beyond that, each year we welcome visitors from all 50 states and generally 30+ countries, arriving at a final count of more than 20,000 visitors.

This year marks a new take on what we do. Our five exhibit halls are approaching their life expectancy, and while their contents are engaging, the buildings are inadequate to the foremost task of our mission: preservation. Each hall is a stand-alone structure with two doorways. While three of the buildings have some climate control, the entrance and egress of visitors during the day continually alters the interior climate, as well as providing superhighways for insects and other vermin who might find dining on precious artifacts a gourmet feast. Much research (and no small expense) was devoted to upgrading and connecting the five buildings. Refitting such buildings with modern features proved prohibitively expensive.

To the rescue rode architect Jim Stenkamp, who offered -without fee- to examine the plans to see what might be done more effeciently. Voila! The result was a three-phase plan to replace all five existing buildings with new state-of-the-art, fully connected and, eventually, a completely enclosed space surrounding a quadrangle or, in fort parlance, a 'parade ground.' While the basic concept has been in development for a decade, physical changes are only recently underway. With adequate funding completed last year making a nice beginning, Collections Manager Laura Schulz led a team of volunteers in removing all the artifacts, props, and display accoutrements from Exhibit Hall I. Buildings and Grounds Supervisor Jim Klees and his volunteers began removing 2 x 4s and strandboard to be re-used/recyled into the new construction. Last Sunday, February 15, 2009, a crowd of 75 or so interpid folks braved dank, chilly weather to support our groundbreaking ceremony.

Since then, our general contractor, Opp & Seibold General Construction, Inc., has set up a perimeter around the construction site. From destruction comes construction: first to happen will be the demolition of Exhibit Hall I. We who currently work at the Museum are indebted to those who provided us this place so many years ago. In their honor, much of the concrete of the existing building will become aggregate in the concrete of the new Entrance Building and Grand Hall. In all, something like 80% of the existing structure will be re-used in this and other projects. The legacy of our forbearers will truly be the foundation of the next era at Fort Walla Walla Museum.

In the meantime, fundraising continues to help fulfill some of the unfunded goals of the project. If you're interested in helping us carry the past into the future, contact the Museum at info@fortwallawallamuseum.org or call 509.525.7703.

(The photo: that's me, Communications Manager Paul Franzmann clad in my Living History livery for a performance of John Colter at 2:00 pm Sunday, April 5. Colter was a member of the Lewis & Clark expedition that passed through -coming and going in 1805-06- what would become Walla Walla County).