There's Always Something New
at Fort Walla Walla Museum!
Fort Walla Walla Museum is continually working on new exhibits
and upgrading existing displays. While the Museum portrays the
past as part of our mission to preserve and share the heritage of
the Walla Walla region, we offer more than a static snapshot of
history. Our visitors have asked for more interpretation of
regional heritage and we respond enthusiastically. With an
artifact collection numbering more than 45,000 items, Fort
Walla
Walla Museum continually works at sharing more of the region’s
past with people from across the country and around the world.
New exhibits help keep the days of long ago vibrant and alive for
the Museum's new and returning guests.
While most museums this size produce up to six new exhibits each
year, Fort Walla Walla Museum has displayed more than 30
exhibits in each of the past two years. During 2012, a series of
special exhibits will be displayed in the Museum's new Entry Hall
& Exhibit Galleries. A special beadwork exhibit from the
renowned
collection of Fred L. Mitchell is featured in the Special
Exhibit
Gallery through summer. Scores of vibrantly-colored
examples of the beadworkers' craft are featured, loaned through
the courtesy of Fred L. Mitchell.
In autumn, the Museum displays its annual heritage quilt show,
featuring a sampling from the Museum's extensive collection of
quilts and coverlets.
Additionally, the new building houses an enhanced Lewis &
Clark in Wallah Wallah Country exhibit with a new mural by
acclaimed landscape artist Leslie Cain, a newly updated
military commemoration exhibit, and much more.
A major exhibit funded by the federal Institute for Museum and
Library Services, Through War and Peace: American Military
and the People of the Homeland Tribes, helps tell the story of the
interactions of regional Indian people and the various incarnations
of the United States military from the early 1800s onward.
Beginning with the Northwest Corps of Discovery under Captains
Meriwether Lewis and William Clark in 1805, the history is both
tragic and uplifiting, and part of an ongoing story.
Through War and Peace shows the change in the appearance of the
military as the appearance of the country changed, too (note the
increasing number of stars on each flag as you tour this exhibit). This
exhibit has received numerous enhancements in recent months.
Our Fort Walla Walla military cemetery exhibit was greatly
enhanced. Draped behind the grave markers is a 7'x15.5' 38-star
flag that flew over the post circa 1876-1889.
Hanging the flag are (l-r) Building and Grounds Manager Jim Klees,
volunteer Kathy Stritzel, Collections Manager Laura Schulz,
and volunteer
'Steve' Stevenson.
The star pattern is asymetrical (see the two stars by the bill of Jim's
cap and right shoulder); compare the differences here with the
38-star flag in the Through War and Peace exhibit (see photo above).
Volunteer Shirl Phillips, who prepared the flag for display, notes
that white fabric was placed on both sides of the blue field, sewn on
by machine in star paterns, then trimmed to size. While seen from
both sides as displayed on a flag pole, the side seen here is in a
sense
the back, in that the seams are turned over on this side.
In response to innumerable visitor requests over the years, The
Museum has produced a new book, An Illustrated History of
Fort Walla Walla, now available in the Museum Store.
Special Exhibit Series Schedule
Display |
Start |
Conclusion |
Special beadwork exhibit from the collection
of Fred L. Mitchell
|
April 1 |
TBA |
Annual Heritage Quilt Show
Enjoy a sampling from the Museum's collection
of scores of heritage quilts.
1858 Whig Rose Quilt |
TBA |
TBA |
New Programs
Fort Walla Walla Museum in the Classroom
Among its goals, Fort Walla Walla Museum wishes to make contact
with children five or six times during their K-12 years. Living
History and other programs for schools may be arranged through
the Museum via email at info@fortwallawallamuseum.org or by
calling 509-525-7703.
Heritage Resource Services
Reflecting its focus on soldiers, pioneers and Indian people, the
Museum employs the talents of Executive Director James Payne
as a Washington Department of Archaeology & Historic
Preservation-certified field archaeologist. With member/published
archaeologist Dr. Darby Stapp, archaeologists Greg Civay & Sarah
Starr, assistants Joe Carpenter and Kevin McLeod, with volunteers
Bob Bonstead, Roger Cockerline and David Rudell, the team is
well-qualified to address regional archaeological monitoring
issues
with experience, cultural sensitivity, and dedication to
preserving the region's historical resources. The service provides
'one-stop shopping' regional archaeological projects.
Endowment opportunities are available for exhibits, the capital
campaign, and other facets of FortWalla Walla Museum. You can
help by clicking DONATE NOW. For more information contact
the Museum at (509) 525-7703 or info@fortwallawallamuseum.org
The Museum is located in Fort Walla Walla Park along Myra Road
in Walla Walla. Museum hours are 10 am - 4 pm weekdays,
January 2 thru March 31; 10 am to 5 pm daily, April 1 thru October
31; and
10 am - 4 pm daily, November 1 thru December 23 (except Thanksgiving). The Museum is closed to visitation December 24
thru January 1 (Headquarters remains open weekdays for business
purposes).
Admission is free to members, children under 6, eligible service
personnel and their families thru the Blue Star Museums program,
and through a reciprocal agreement Tamástslikt Cultural Institute's
Inwai Circle cardholders and enrolled members of the Confederated
Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation; $3 for children ages
6-12; $6 for seniors (62+) and students; and $7 for adults. Your
admission cost can be applied to a membership, which includes
free admission to all Living History performances, priced
beginning at $27. For more information, contact Fort Walla Walla
Museum at 509-525-7703 or email:
info@fortwallawallamuseum.org. |
