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Where Sheep May Graze

The Walla Walla region’s sheep industry once contributed mightily to our economy. According to the 1880 Washington Livestock US Census, there were about 389,000 sheep on Washington farms and ranges; half were in the region south of the Snake River. Portrayed by working sheepmen Remy DeRuwe (top, above) and Richard Jackson (bottom, above), pioneer sheepmen Raymond DeRuwe and Merle Jackson return to Walla Walla on Sunday, April 15 as Fort Walla Walla Museum continues its 40 th season of service to the community.

Raymond De Ruwe arrived in Walla Walla in 1901 from Belgium. His first sheep ranch was near Connell and later on the Tucannon River near Dayton. De Ruwe and his wife Caroline had three children, Mervin, Florence and Sylvia. Mervin owned a 33,000 acre sheep ranch in the Snake River Hills area for wintering his sheep, plus 35,000 acres he leased near Browning, Montana. Mervin’s son, Remy, portrays his grandfather, a sheep ranching pioneer in the Columbia Basin.

Living History performances take place in the Museum’s pioneer village on Myra Road and visitors are encouraged to question the re-enactors about their experiences and views, Vvisit the Museum’s animal husbandry display in Exhibit Hall 1 as you enjoy yout tour. 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 info@fortwallawallamuseum.org.

Remy DeRuwe (L) and Richard Jackson portray pioneer sheepmen Raymond DeRuwe
and Merle Jackson