Fort Walla Walla Museum

Pioneer Settlement | Horse-Era Agriculture | Military Exhibits

Collections / Exhibits

Walla Walla's Only Medal of Honor Winner

Fort Walla Walla and the townspeople living nearby had a relationship that was sometimes difficult to keep on good footing. During the 1860s and 1870s, the town filled with travelers to the gold fields in Orofino, Idaho, as well as other types who were not reluctant to challenge local authority. Laws were often trampled and the difference between military justice and civilian justice often became a subject of much consternation.

Michael McCarthy was a soldier stationed at Fort Walla Walla with the 1st U.S. Calvary. As a Sergeant during the Nez Perce War in 1877, he was involved in the fierce struggle at Whitebird Canyon, the first major encounter of the war, near Lewiston where the cavalry lost 34 men. He was later awarded a Congressional Medal of Honor for his heroism in saving many troopers’ lives during that battle, and retired in Walla Walla as a colonel. Michael McCarthy is portrayed by Walla Walla author and businessman Robert Bennett.

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 www.fortwallawallamuseum.org.

preserving and sharing Walla Walla regional heritage

755 Myra Road - Walla Walla, WA 99362 - (509) 525-7703
Fax: (509) 525-7798 - Email: info@fortwallawallamuseum.org

Volunteer website design by Devon Varesko through Walla Walla University
Department of Technology, Linda Nelson, Ed.D., Chair.