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Bringing in the Sheaves

Nancy Emily Estes Wiseman was among the earliest pioneer women in the Walla Walla Valley, known for her strength and resilience. Born in Arkansas in 1842, she married at 17 to Jonathon “Tip” Wiseman in 1859. Their honeymoon was spent on a wagon train along the Oregon Trail headed for the Pacific Northwest. They had to hurry; the wagon train had already left town. Nancy remained in Walla Walla until her death in 1916.

The Wiseman’s interest in the area began when Tip visited the Walla Walla area on a trip from Arkansas to Oregon Territory in 1853. When he decided to return to home in 1859, he traveled alone on a mule the entire way from California to Arkansas.

Nancy and Tip had 11 children during their years together in the Walla Walla region, all of whom survived. Their first son, William Nathan, was the first male white child born in the Valley. Her father, Thomas, moved to the Walla Walla Valley from Arkansas shortly after, in 1860. The Estes and Wiseman’s stock farms were located first in the Dry Creek Valley northwest of Walla Walla before they moved to Eureka Flat. The Estes Family was one of the oldest and best known families in the Valley.

Mrs. Wiseman, a feisty lady who knew well how to survive the hardships of pioneer life, is portrayed by Harriett Hart Beach, who is her great-great-granddaughter.

Performances begin at 2 p.m. in the pioneer settlement of Fort Walla Walla Museum. Visitors are encouraged to question the Living History re-enactors. Visitors may also tour the Museum's five exhibit halls and historic buildings in the pioneer settlement. Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Admission is $7 for adults, $6 for seniors (62+) and students, $3 for children 6-12, and free for children under 6. For more information call the Museum at 509-525-7703.

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.