James Payne, M.S.
Executive Director and Principal Investigator
Before joining the FWWM, James spent a decade doing archaeology and teaching in Michigan while attending graduate classes at the University of Michigan. As Museum Director for the last ten years, he has gained vast knowledge of Walla Walla Valley history, places, documentation, and people. James is also an expert in historic American military material culture.
Darby C. Stapp, PhD, RPA
Research Associate/Principal Investigator/Archaeologist
Darby received an M.A. and PhD in Historical Archaeology from the University of Idaho and the University of Pennsylvania, respectively. He spent 20 years at the Hanford Site near Richland Washington, where he helped the Department of Energy meet its historic preservation responsibilities. Currently, Darby is owner and principal of Northwest Anthropology LLC, in Richland, WA and editor of Journal of Northwest Anthropology.
Heather Hansen, B.S.
Archaeologist
Heather received her B.S. from Central Washington University in 2013, majoring in anthropology and minoring in museum studies. She then received her M.A. in Egyptology in 2014 from the University of Liverpool. Heather attended the 2012 CWU Archaeological Field School at Mount Rainier National Park.
James Knobbs, M.A., RPA
Archaeologist
James received a B.A. in Philosophy and Anthropology in 1986 from Washington State University and an M.A., in Anthropology from the University of Idaho in 2013. His areas of interest and expertise include shell analysis, ethnobotany, and assisting tribal cultural resource protection programs.