Paul Kane, Frontier Artist and the Northwest's 'First Tourist'
Kristen Hair as Paul Kane
Paul Kane is considered by some to be the first tourist in the West. Born in Ireland in 1810, Kane’s family emigrated to Canada circa 1820. He was largely a self-taught artist, something he gained when he toured Europe in 1841-1843. After his return, he headed into the Pacific Northwest on voyages in 1845 and again from 1846-1848.
With the support of the Hudson’s Bay Company, Kane made stops at Fort Vancouver and other places in the ‘Columbia District,’ as Oregon Country was known to Canadians. While in Europe, Kane was inspired by renowned Western artist George Catlin, then touring to promote a book, to document the lives of Canada’s Indian people.
In the summer of 1847, Kane stopped at Hudson’s Bay Company Fort Walla Walla on the Columbia River near the mouth of the Walla Walla River. He also briefly visited Whitman Mission, only months before the tragedy occurring there in 1847. Kane accompanied Marcus Whitman on a visit to the Cayuse people living nearby and drew a portrait of Tomahas, whom Kane called "To-ma-kus", the man who was named as Whitman's murderer. Kane's travel report noted that relations between the Cayuse and the mission’ settlers were already tense during his visit in July.
Following his sojourns to the West, Kane produced more than 100 canvasses based on his sketches. Some of his work was displayed to critical acclaim at the World’s Fair in Paris in 1855 and others were sent to Buckingham Palace for review by Queen Victoria in 1858.
Performances begin at 2:00 p.m. in the pioneer settlement at Fort Walla Walla Museum. Visitors are encouraged to question the Living History re-enactors about their lives and times. The Museum is open daily, 10 am - 5 pm, April through October; 10 am - 4 pm, November1 through December 23; and weekdays, 10 am - 4 pm, January through March.
Admission is free to Fort Walla Walla Museum members,
eligible service personnel & their familes through
the Blue Star Museums program, Tamástslikt Cultural Institute's
Inwai Circle cardholders,
enrolled members of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, and all children under 6;
$3/children
6-12; $6/seniors (62+) and students; $7/adults.
Your admission fee today may be applied to a membership,
priced beginning at $27. For more information, contact Fort Walla Walla Museum at 509-525-7703, or email: info@fortwallawallamuseum.org. |
