Whitman Mission
National Historic Site
Visit Whitman Mission National Historic Site's expanded web site
The mission of Marcus and Narcissa Whitman at Waiilatpu was an important way station in the early days of the Oregon Trail. The Whitmans labored to bring Christianity to the Cayuse, but deep cultural differences and a measles epidemic led to violence in which the Cayuse killed the Whitmans and 11 others in November, 1847.
The park, located in the southeastern part of Washington state, preserves the site of Whitman's buildings and Mill Pond, a short segment of the Oregon Trail, and the grave where the victims are buried. Native grasses give visitors a sense of how the area looked in the 1840s.
Narcissa Whitman and Eliza Spalding were the first Anglo women to cross the Rocky Mountains in 1836 on what was to become the Oregon Trail. Marcus Whitman visited the East Coast in 1843 and helped guide the first, large wagon train along the Oregon Trail in 1843. Whitman Mission became an important waystation for immigrants until the Whitman's death in 1847 closed the mission.
Authorized as Whitman National Monument June 29, 1936; changed to Whitman Mission National Historic Site January 1, 1963.
Whitman Mission National Historic Site is one unit of the National Park System (98.15 acres).
RECENT DOCUMENTS
VISITATION:
Highest in May and June; lowest in December and January.
ADDRESS:
Whitman Mission National Historic Site
Rt. 2 Box 247
Walla Walla, WA 99362-9699
E-MAIL:
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TELEPHONE:
OPERATING HOURS, SEASONS:
Summer: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Fall, Winter, Spring: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Closed Thanksgiving, December 25, January 1.
CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING:
Summer: sunny and usually hot; high-low 92-62 degrees F.; wear shorts, T-shirt, hat, and sunscreen.
Winter: cloudy and cold; high-low 40-20 degrees F.; wear coat and hat.
DIRECTIONS:
From I-84, travel north on Oregon Route 11 from Pendleton, Oregon to Walla Walla, Washington, then on U.S. Route 12 go west 7 miles.
TRANSPORTATION:
By Air: To Walla Walla vis Horizon Air
To Park: Private vehicle, car rental in Walla Walla
In Park: Walking tour only
FEES, COSTS RATES:
There is a $2.00 per adult entrance fee, maximum of $4.00 for a family. Under age 17 are free. Federal Golden Age, Golden Eagle, and Golden Access passes are honored. School groups and chaperons are free.
FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:
Visitor Center/Exhibits -- Slide program and exhibits cover the Whitman missionaries, Cayuse Indians, and Oregon Trail.
Trails, Roads -- All trails are paved except a 0.25 mile portion of Oregon Trail.
Programs, Activities -- Slide program and exhibits are always available. In the summer, there are several weekend special programs.
School Group Educational Programs -- We have two audio-visual orientation programs. "The Whitmans and the Waiilatpus" is a 15-minute film oriented toward elementary school pupils. The second program, "The Whitman Saga," is a 10-minute slideshow that covers the history of the Whitmans
and is enjoyed by middle-school and older students. A 15-minute talk about the Cayuse Indians, and another 15-minute talk about pioneer life at Whitman Mission and along the Oregon Trail, are available to groups visiting the park. Please let us know when making your reservations if you desire any of these special programs.
Lodging and Camping Facilities -- There are no lodging or camping facilities in the park. There are camping facilities and motels in Walla Walla, 7 miles east of the park.
Food, Supplies -- The nearest stores are in College Place (3 miles) or Walla Walla (7 miles).
Other Concessions, NPS-Managed Visitor Facilities and Opportunities -- The Visitor Center bookstore is operated by the Northwest Interpretive Association.
Accessibility -- 90% of trails are wheelchair accessible; all restrooms and the Visitor Center are accessible.
Special Needs -- Spanish, Japanese, French, and German language trailguides are available. Texts of the slide program and trailside recordings are available for sight or hearing impaired.
RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES, PARK USE:
Visit the Visitor Center museum and enjoy a 10-minute slide program. Walk the 0.7 mile (1.0 km) trail, which provides a history of the site through numerous exhibits and the original building foundations. Picnic tables are available.
RESERVATIONS, PERMITS:
None required, except for school groups. For scheduling purposes, school groups should make reservations.
BASIC VISIT RECOMMENDATIONS:
Allow one to two hours to explore the Visitor Center and walk all the trails.
SPECIAL EVENTS, PROGRAMS:
During summer weekend afternoons, Park Rangers and volunteers demonstrate pioneer or traditional Native American skills and crafts.
ADJACENT VISITOR ATTRACTIONS:
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Whitman Mission National Historic Site is part of the Columbia Cascades Cluster
Last Updated:Wednesday, 01-Sep-99 13:06:26
http://www.nps.gov/whmi/