Home

About Us

General Information

Museum Events

Living History

Membership

Collections / Exhibits

Museum Store

Education

Press Room

Volunteer

Links

Support Us

Walla Walla’s Best Known Madame—Dutch Jo

Whther you agree with the way Josephine Wolfe made her living, she was an important part of the history of Walla Walla. Josephine, better known as Dutch Jo, was a very competent businesswoman who took pride in performing an important service in her community. She ran a very upscale establishment for gentlemen and insisted on a high degree of decorum from her employees that might surprise you. Her concern for the welfare of her employees led to regular health checkups for them plus clothing that was fashionable and not too revealing. These were no dance hall girls in Dutch Jo’s opinion. Her concern for the Walla Walla community and especially the work performed by the firemen in saving the community during the frequent fires that occurred led her to become a benefactor of the department.

Josephine Wolfe is portrayed by Lois Hahn, a retired school teacher. Dutch Jo came to Walla Walla around 1860. In addition to her renown as proprietress of two of Walla Walla's houses of ill repute that were often patronized by miners back from the gold fields, she became a public benefactress, particularly providing for needy firemen. She erected the fire fighter's statue at the city cemetery, where she and several of her employees are also buried, though in different spots. A copy of the statue is located at Crawford Park on Main Street next to the Farmers Market, in the vicinity of one of her former establishments.

Museum patrons are encouraged to question Wolfe. Visitors may also tour the Museum's many displays and historic buildings. Museum hours are 10 am to 5 pm daily. Admission is free to members, children under 6, 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 $25. For more information, contact Fort Walla Walla Museum at 509-525-7703 or email: info@fortwallawallamuseum.org.