"What's My Time-line?" Living History End-of-the-Year Performance
Since the first time-travelers graced our living history stage in 1998, we have celebrated their dedication to keeping history alive with an end-of-the-year special performance. In the years since, the celebration has grown into something entirely its own, not just a celebration of another excellent season, but an entirely unique all out performance. This year is no exception.
Do you remember the old quiz show “What’s My Line”?
On Sunday, November 8 from 2 to 4 pm, Living History’s KFWW “Radio” Station will present the What’s My Time-Line Game? Like the old quiz show, Five Mystery Guests from Walla Walla’s past will try to answer panelists’ questions without giving away their identities. Our “celebrity” panelists will guess the mystery guest’s identity while they remain hidden behind a divider. At the end of 3 rounds of questions, the panelists will declare their guess at the mystery guest’s identity. Whether or not they are correct, the mystery guest will be revealed to our panel, and to you, our audience, and the guest will explain why they are a part of our local history.
The program will have it all! From Mystery Guests and live commercial readings, to audience participation opportunities—complete with clapping, repeating phrases and watching how scripts, sound effects, and other studio amenities are staged. After the program is over, please join us for refreshments and visit with our Living History Cast.
We would like to thank you for all your support this year and hopefully we’ll see you next year for another great season!
Introduction to Contra Dancing
Contra dancing is a wonderfully vigorous, community-building activity. This class will accustom people to the fundamentals of hearing and stepping to the beat of the music and the musical phrase, as well as the basic moves of contra dancing.
There is nothing so necessary to human beings as the dance…without the dance, a man would not be able to do anything….All the misfortunes of man, all the baleful reverses with which histories are filled, the blunders of politicians and the failures of great leaders, all of this is the result of not knowing how to dance.
—The Dancing Master in Moliere’s Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme (1670)
This class will take place on Saturday, November 15, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
In 1992, in order to bring the contra dancing experience to more people, Instructors Barbara and Dan Clark offered a beginning contra dance class at Walla Walla Community College, followed by a second advanced segment. Since then, they have presented successful contra dance classes in a variety of settings.
They hope this lively tradition will continue for many more!
Digitization & Geneology Research
This course will cover how to scan photos, negatives, & slides. Handouts will be provided on various film types to help you date your family photos. We will discuss options for naming image files & how to add metadata, making it easier to find images. We will also talk about options for having old home movies digitized.
Each student will have a chance to digitize 3 or 4 of their own photos on Epson scanners.
This course will be offered twice, once in October and once in November. The class will run for 2 hours, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. for both sessions.
Merry Christmas!
Fort Walla Walla Museum is closed Thursday, December 25th. We will reopen on December 26th.
Have a joyous holiday season!
Fire Station Doors: A Leather Glove Restoration
We have all seen documentaries of museum curators wearing white cotton gloves and performing a delicate restoration on some precious artifact. But what if the artifacts weigh 800 pounds and are a working part of our museum infrastructure? Our 1900 Fire Station #1 doors are a valued artifact of Walla Walla history and are literally the opening to our steam pumper fire engine exhibit. So when they start to show their age a bit, it is time for a restoration… a leather glove restoration.
Join us for a presentation on the questions, techniques, mysteries, and materials in bringing these large artifacts back to a working life while honoring their historic components. Participants will preview the coming freshening of the overall fire station exhibit and maybe even do a bit of restoration work.
This class will take place on Saturday, October 24, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
Digitization & Geneology Research
This course will cover how to scan photos, negatives, & slides. Handouts will be provided on various film types to help you date your family photos. We will discuss options for naming image files & how to add metadata, making it easier to find images. We will also talk about options for having old home movies digitized.
Each student will have a chance to digitize 3 or 4 of their own photos on Epson scanners.
This course will be offered twice, once in October and once in November. The class will run for 2 hours, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. for both sessions.
Dutch Oven Camp Cooking
Have you been curious about cast-iron cooking? This course will cover the basics of cast-iron care, heat control, and baking. Participants will prepare a traditional breakfast with the Dutch oven techniques they have learned and enjoy the meal together while discussing more advanced cooking skills.
Participants will come away with knowledge of how to use their Dutch ovens to prepare a variety of dishes and learn the best ways to clean and store their cast iron for longevity. Enjoy a hands-on learning environment and build outdoor culinary skills.
This class will take place Saturday, October 10, from 9 p.m. to 5 p.m.
The price of the class includes a Dutch oven that participants will take home with them.
Instructor John Spain has 20 years of experience with Dutch oven cooking, including for large groups.
He has competed in Chuck-wagon and Dutch oven cooking competitions, and holds a membership with the American Chuck-wagon Association.
Regenerative Agriculture: What is it & Why is it a Topic of Interest
What’s old is new again—regenerative agriculture combines modern science with many time-tested techniques to restore and strengthen soil. It is a holistic farming system that takes more effort, but aims to be healthier for the environment, livestock, and ultimately the people eating the food.
Participants will learn the ins and outs of this traditional farming technique and follow a guided tour of the Williams Brothers’ farm, where the practices of regenerative farming are still in use today.
This class will take place Saturday, September 26th from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m..
Heritage Woodworking
Participants will use old tools and make a clock by laminating wood. The clock face and mechanism will be provided and will fit into the wooden structure.
Each participant will come away from the class with a clock like the one pictured that they built themselves.
This class will take place four Sundays in a row, from September 20th through October 11th, from 1 p.m.–3 p.m. all days.
Participants must be 18 years or older; hazardous and sharp tools!
This class requires caution and appropriate clothing, safety glasses will be provided.
American Truck Historical Society Annual Truck Show
Not too long ago, horses were replaced by “speed wagons”, motorized vehicles. Fort Walla Walla Museum is excited to recognize that history with the American Truck Historical Society, which will host its annual truck show.
Come out for the day and see locally owned, vintage trucks, pickup trucks, vintage cars, and “old iron” on display. Meet the owners and enjoy stories about their vehicles and equipment. The Annual Truck Show includes the Blue Mountain Chapter members’ vehicles and equipment, which reflects the road transportation history, and the connection with the region.
The Blue Mountain Chapter of the ATHS organizes and runs the truck show. Forty to fifty vehicles, including farm trucks, pickups, and semis, are expected to be on display, along with small engines, tractors, and other transportation items.
Incorporated in 1971, the American Truck Historical Society preserves the history of trucks, the trucking industry, and its pioneers. An annual convention has been held each year since 1972, with a public antique truck show added in 1980. If you are interested, have stories to share, or enjoy seeing and “feeling” old trucks and cars, we look forward to meeting you!
This is the perfect event for families. There will be live music, food, fun, and all manner of fine vehicles.
Introduction to Basic Blacksmithing
Learn the basic skills of tapering, bending, scrolling, and twisting metal. Work will be performed on a traditional coal forge using the same tools used over 150 years ago. This is a great opportunity to try your hand at an historical craft and possible future hobby. Make a small project to take home with you.
This class will take place Saturday, September 12 from 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Participants must be 18 years or older; open fire, hot coals, and sharp tools!
This class requires caution and appropriate clothing, safety glasses will be provided.
Early Scientists & Explorers in the Walla Walla Valley
Meet five famous people from 19th-century Pacific Northwest American history. They are Meriwether Lewis (1774-1809), David Douglas (1799-1834), Thomas Nuttall (1786-1859), Charles Emile Bindire (1836-1897), and William Lee Dice (1882-1919). This course will cover how these men have tied our history here to the natural world.
This subject is an important part of not only Walla Walla history, but northwest history.
This class will take place Sunday, August 23, from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. on Museum grounds with a brief walking tour through Fort Walla Walla Park.
Authentic Hand-Dipped Candles for Practical Home Lighting
Throughout most of the Nineteenth Century, candles were an important fact of life for providing light, safety, and comfort. Candle makers had to make prodigious quantities to keep customers supplied. At Bruce Mansion in Waitsburg, Gary Lentz of Waxing Gibbous Candles has made nearly 200 candles in one day using a large wax-filled kettle, a wood fire, string, and paraffin or beeswax for over 30 years. Now you can learn to do it, too.
This 6-hour class starts with melted paraffin, strings, and sticks. 30-40 cycles of cooling, dipping, cooling, dipping and heating wax are necessary. You will be able to leave with some candles you made yourself.
This class will take place Saturday, August 22 from 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Lewis & Clark: Living History Weekend
Step back in time and immerse yourself in the fascinating world of Lewis and Clark at Fort Walla Walla Museum. Join us for an unforgettable, two-day experience as historical re-enactors bring the iconic expedition to life, dressed in clothing of the style and materials worn by the members of the Corps of Discovery.
With interactive activities, visitors can engage with knowledgeable interpreters and learn more about the exploration of the West. Watch in awe as skilled interpreters demonstrate the precise use of navigational instruments such as maps and compasses which enabled Lewis and Clark to navigate through uncharted territory. Learn firsthand about the crucial tools and skills employed during the expedition, such as fire-starting techniques, blacksmithing, sewing, and medicine-making, all of which were vital for survival in the rigorous wilderness.
Visitors will also learn the history and stories of the Lewis and Clark expedition: the native people that they met, the unfamiliar territory they traveled and mapped, and the strange new animals and plants they discovered. Mark your calendars, pack your curiosity, and join us for an enchanting journey into history at the Lewis & Clark Living History Weekend.
The Pacific Northwest Living Historians are a group of people passionate about connecting the past and present, keeping these skills and tools alive, and inspiring future generations to appreciate the resilience and wisdom of those who came before us.
The program will take place from 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
"Canning & Preserving: Now & Then" Heritage Skills Class
In this class, you will explore time-honored preservation techniques like canning, fermentation, and drying. Learn good safety practices for home preservation. You will be able to take home a jar of soon-to-be homemade sauerkraut.
This class will take place over two Sundays in a row, Sunday, July 26 & August 2, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. both days.
In this class, you will explore time-honored preservation techniques like canning, fermentation, and drying. Learn good safety practices for home preservation. You will be able to take home a jar of soon-to-be homemade sauerkraut.
This class will take place over two Sundays in a row, Sunday, July 26 & August 2, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. both days.
Instructor Kristin Fry is a teacher and office manager with a lifelong interest in heritage skills and Northwest history. She learned to can and preserve from her mom and grandma, without whom this class would probably not be happening!
Instructor Kristin Fry is a teacher and office manager with a lifelong interest in heritage skills and Northwest history. She learned to can and preserve from her mom and grandma, without whom this class would probably not be happening!
The World Wars: Living History Weekend
Attention, history enthusiasts and adventure seekers!
Journey into the era of World War I and II, as over a dozen passionate and talented reenactors descend upon Fort Walla Walla Museum.
This thrilling event presents a golden opportunity for families to engage with history like never before. Picture yourself walking amidst the atmosphere of the 1940s as you interact with passionate reenactors who embody the spirit of the era. As soldiers, their dedication and attention to detail will transport you back in time.
Engage in conversation, ask questions, and learn about the sacrifices made during this period. Don't miss this unforgettable experience, where entertainment and education merge, fostering a love for history and connecting generations.
We invite you to join us at Fort Walla Walla Museum, where history comes alive!
The Oregon Trail Game & Ice Cream Social
Are you ready to travel the Oregon Trail to Fort Walla Walla? 🐂🧺🌾
It's Fort Walla Walla Museum's annual Ice Cream Social and Oregon Trail Game. Pack your wagons and get ready to travel the Oregon Trail!
In this live-action version of the beloved 1985 computer game, you will begin at the museum’s General Store, packing your chosen supplies to help you overcome the variety of calamities you will face along the Oregon Trail. It will take a combination of pioneer skills, creativity, and pure luck to reach your destination. If you make it to Fort Walla Walla, you will be rewarded with your own 320 acres of land!
Don’t forget that members get in free.
Thank you to Columbia REA, Baskin-Robbins, and Yancey P. Winans Testamentary Trust for their sponsorship of this event.
Annual Open House (admission-free)
Enjoy a day of free admission to the museum! 🏛️🎟️
Fort Walla Walla Museum invites guests to come and see what’s new at the old fort—and to mark the official re-opening of the Pioneer Village for the warmer months!
With five exhibit halls and a Pioneer Village with historic buildings, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. This year holds a special exhibits as we honor the 250th anniversary of the US. Learn about the territorial prison, horse-era agricultural practices, the history of Walla Walla's many forts, and more!
Thank you to STCU for their sponsorship of this event.
April Fools' "Historically Inaccurate" Scavenger Hunt
Fort Walla Walla Museum is ready for spring! 🌼🌷
April is the start of our annual April Fools Scavenger Hunt. Practice your sleuthing skills by tracking down the historically inaccurate items hidden throughout the museum’s exhibits—keep track of these time-traveling objects and earn a prize in the Museum Store!
The scavenger hunt is a month-long event starting Wednesday April 1st. The Museum is open from 10am-5pm daily.
Don’t forget that members get in free!
Carmelita Colon: A Living History Production
A Vindication for the Unwritten – or How to Write Yourself Back Into History
written by Ana Maria Campoy
Meet Carmelita Colon. Born in Mexico, she arrived in Walla Walla, Washington Territory, with her husband Sebastian in the 1860s. For several years, they ran a mule train to the gold mines in Idaho. Later selling tamales and running a Mexican restaurant in Walla Walla.
What was life like in Walla Walla in the late 1800s? What was Carmelita’s life like? Might she have seen women’s rights pioneers Susan B. Anthony and Abigail Scott Duniway speak about suffrage when they visited Walla Walla in 1871?
Based on extensive research, Ana Maria Campoy has created a vibrant portrait of Carmelita Colon, from her childhood in Mexico to her migration to Washington. She has brought this early Walla Walla resident to life and written her back into history.
The program is part of KCPT’s Washington Women’s History Tour: Suffrage Lecture Series – a dramatic chronology of the suffrage/women’s rights movement across Washington State with a special focus on under-represented voices and little-known stories of BIPOC women.
Pioneer Santa & Holiday Fun
Join the festivities happening at Fort Walla Walla Museum!
Meet Pioneer Santa for pictures and holiday stories in the Grand Hall. Kids can enjoy a creative crafts table, and refreshments will be served with a side of holiday cheer. The event is admission-free for visitors looking to shop the Museum Store and participate in the holiday festivities without touring the museum.
Staff and volunteers are pleased to offer complimentary gift wrapping for all holiday purchases made in the Museum Store on this day, and all store purchases help support the museum.
The perfect family activity for when it gets too cold outside!
Haunted Halls of History, a Living History Radio Performance
The “What If” radio is airing again!
For those of you who remember the fun (and frights) of last year’s “The War of the Worlds” performance, you are in for a treat! The What-If radio will be brought back to broadcasting life once again.
History is populated with 'ghosts'. Ghosts who created the past but are no longer physically among us. On the "Haunted Halls of History" we will resurrect a few of our local 'ghosts' and share them with our listening audience.
Tune in to KFWW, 1859 on your radio dial, and listen in.
Enjoy light refreshments, included with admission. Tickets start at $10 for Fort Walla Walla Museum guests and $5 for Museum members.
Day of the Dead; No Me Olvides
Fort Walla Walla Museum is happy to host again an exclusive exhibit in our entrance hall. Starting October 28th and continuing through the traditional Día de los Muertos celebration, the exhibit will close on November 16th.
Día de los Muertos is a Mexican holiday devoted to remembering and celebrating loved ones who have passed. This multi-day festival includes honoring the deceased using marigold flowers, building home altars called ofrendas with the favorite foods and beverages of the departed, and visiting graves with these items as gifts for the deceased. The celebration is not only about honoring the dead. Giving gifts to friends, such as candy sugar skulls, and sharing traditional pan de muerto with loved ones is also common.
Fort Walla Walla Museum is honored to help share this beautiful tradition. We will be displaying family altars and art made by the valley’s talented Hispanic artists. Please take the time to stop by and join us in celebrating Día de los Muertos.
Doc Baker’s Railroad 150th Anniversary
All Aboard! 150 Years of the Rawhide Railroad
Fort Walla Walla Museum and Baker Boyer Bank invite you to mark the 150th anniversary of the completion of the Walla Walla & Columbia River Railroad with an admission-free, fun-packed day at the museum.
Join us for a day of fun, food, and community spirit!
The museum will open at 10:00 a.m., with La Monarca food trucks arriving at 11:00 a.m. There will be a Living History walking tour of the grounds, where historical characters will share their insight on the railroad and its creator, Dr. D.S. Baker.
The anniversary ceremony is scheduled to begin at 1:00 p.m. The first 1,000 guests will receive free food vouchers up to $10 per person, commemorative coins, and tote bags.
Selected student project entries will be displayed and honored at the celebration, and children can ride a mini train around the museum’s grounds from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., courtesy of Costume Creation’s “Chugga Chugga Choo Choo” train.
Community organization partners will also be present, offering information and activity booths that will excite everyone in the family. These include Northwest Grain Growers, Dayton Historical Depot, Children’s Museum of Walla Walla, Kirkman House, and Columbia Rail. Learn more about Dr. D.S. Baker and his “Rawhide Railroad,” which connected the agricultural powerhouse of Walla Walla to the world.
Columbia Rail will be bringing several pieces of locomotive history to share, including two cabooses, the historic Abraham Lincoln business car, and the SW1 #104 (manufactured in 1939 and one of the oldest in-service diesel locomotives).
Please check our Facebook page for the most up-to-date information. To learn more about the Blue Mountain, check our blog. If you would like to support our preservation efforts, you may make a donation through our website.
Schedule of Events
All Day Free admission, kids activities, community partner tables
10 a.m.–12 p.m. Columbia Rail train tours
10 a.m.–2 p.m. Living History Walking Tour
11 a.m.–2 p.m. Chugga Chugga Choo Choo mini-train rides
11 a.m.–2 p.m. La Monarca food trucks
Noon Railroad Songs with Glenn Morrison & Jimmye Turner
1 p.m. Anniversary Ceremony
3 p.m.–5 p.m. Columbia Rail train tours
Thank you to Baker Boyer Bank for sponsoring this event.
Closing Early!
Fort Walla Walla Museum will be closing at 3p.m. on September 28th for a private event.
Historic Northwest Garrison: Living History Weekend
The Ol’ Fort will welcome back the Historic Northwest Garrison this September. Guests can immerse themselves in the early history of the region through reenactments of traditional tinsmithing and broom-making, accompanied by an infantry and artillery demonstration.
The garrison will be returning with their mountain howitzer cannon, a museum favorite.
ATHS Annual Walla Walla Truck Show
Not too long ago, horses were replaced by “speed wagons”, motorized vehicles. Fort Walla Walla Museum is excited to recognize that history with the American Truck Historical Society, which will host its annual truck show.
Come out for the day and see locally owned, vintage trucks, pickup trucks, vintage cars, and “old iron” on display. Meet the owners and enjoy stories about their vehicles and equipment. The Annual Truck Show includes the Blue Mountain Chapter members’ vehicles and equipment, which reflects the road transportation history, and the connection with the region.
The Blue Mountain Chapter of the ATHS organizes and runs the truck show. Forty to fifty vehicles, including farm trucks, pickups, and semis, are expected to be on display, along with small engines, tractors, and other transportation items.
Incorporated in 1971, the American Truck Historical Society preserves the history of trucks, the trucking industry, and its pioneers. An annual convention has been held each year since 1972, with a public antique truck show added in 1980. If you are interested, have stories to share, or enjoy seeing and “feeling” old trucks and cars, we look forward to meeting you!
This is the perfect event for families. There will be live music, food, fun, and all manner of fine vehicles.
Lewis & Clark: Living History Weekend
From August 9th to 10th, the Museum will host our annual Lewis and Clark Days. During this two-day special event, the Pacific Northwest Living Historians (PNLH) will demonstrate the tools and skills employed by the explorers of the epic Lewis and Clark expedition.
Captain Meriwether Lewis and Captain William Clark were sent by President Thomas Jefferson to explore the newly acquired Louisiana Territory and to seek the best route to the Pacific Ocean through what we now call the Pacific Northwest. During their voyage of 1804 – 1806, they led the Corps of Northwestern Discovery overland from St. Louis, Missouri, to the mouth of the Columbia River and back again. With no means for resupply, the Corps (a U.S. Army unit of 31 men accompanied by Sacagawea and her infant child, Jean Baptiste) needed to use diverse skills and the right tools to survive.
Dressed in clothing of the style and materials worn by Corps members in 1805-1806, PNLH interpreters will demonstrate and discuss various tools and skills, including handling flintlock firearms, camp cooking, leather crafting, and canoe paddle making. Visitors can learn about the history and stories of the Lewis and Clark expedition, the Native people they met, the unfamiliar territory they traveled and mapped, and the strange new animals and plants they encountered.
The program will take place all day Saturday and from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. on Sunday. Thank you to Columbia REA for sponsoring this event.
Escape from the Territorial Prison! Family Game
WANTED, DEAD OR ALIVE: Seasoned criminal Orvy Whipstitch Horvath—known to keep company with lowlifes and horse thieves—has escaped Walla Walla’s territorial prison. Gather up a search team and help the law track him down! If you find where the criminal is hiding on the grounds, you will be rewarded with a prize in the Museum Store.
This family-friendly event is a clue-based hide-and-seek puzzle that takes place throughout the Museum. Find the clues detailing Orvy’s escape plans, bring your wits, and trace Orvy’s trail to discover the ne'er-do-well in his hiding spot!
We are grateful to our sponsors—Columbia REA and the Yancey P Winans Testamentary Trust—for their support of this event.
World Wars Encampment: Living History Weekend
Attention, history enthusiasts and adventure seekers!
Get ready to experience an immersive journey into the era of World War I and II, as over a dozen passionate and talented reenactors descend upon Fort Walla Walla Museum.
This thrilling event presents a golden opportunity for families to engage with history like never before. Picture yourself walking amidst the atmosphere of the 1940s as you interact with passionate reenactors who embody the spirit of the era. As soldiers, their dedication and attention to detail will transport you back in time.
Engage in conversation, ask questions, and gain a deeper understanding of the sacrifices made during this momentous period. Don't miss out on this unforgettable experience, where entertainment and education merge, fostering a love for history and connecting generations. We invite you to join us at Fort Walla Walla Museum, where history comes alive!
See weapons, tools, uniforms, and vehicles (including a half-track). The reenactors will represent multiple nations’ militaries.
The Oregon Trail Game & Ice Cream Social
Fort Walla Walla Museum is welcoming the Oregon Trail Game back for another year, just in time for the start of Summer! Help your family ride the wagon train to Walla Walla, overcome the calamities of the trail, and celebrate your success with a cup of ice cream.
Annual Open House! Free Admission
Enjoy a day of free admission to the museum! The Museum Open House is a chance for residents to come and see what’s new at the old fort— and to mark the official re-opening of the Pioneer Village for the warmer months!
With five exhibit halls and a 17-structure pioneer settlement, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Learn about the territorial prison, horse-era agricultural practices, the history of the Forts Walla Walla, and more.
Participate in our month-long April Fool's Scavenger Hunt! Modern items will be hidden in some of the museum’s exhibits, and young and old eyes alike can work together to find these historical inaccuracies. As you discover stories from the past, from the Oregon Trail to the horse-powered wheat harvest, kids can record things that are out of place. If you can list enough of them, you will win a small prize in the Museum Store! A fun way to talk about the exhibits and identify some things that don’t quite belong.
Bring a picnic and stroll the beautiful green grounds while rubbing shoulders with history.
We would like to thank our exclusive event sponsor, Community Bank.
April Fools' Scavenger Hunt
Fort Walla Walla Museum is officially ready for spring! April is the start of our annual April Fools Scavenger Hunt. There will be modern items hidden in some of the museum’s exhibits—list them all and get a prize in the Museum Store!
The first day of the event is Saturday April 1st, and the last day is Sunday April 30th. The Museum is open from 10am-5pm daily. Guests are invited to participate in the Scavenger Hunt, a fun way to talk about the exhibits and identify some things that don’t quite belong.
Don’t forget that members get in free!