Whitman Mission

https://www.nps.gov/whmi/index.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whitman_Mission_National_Historic_Site Whitman Mission National Historic Site is located just west of Walla Walla, Washington, at the site of the former Whitman Mission at Waiilatpu. On November 29, 1847, Dr. Marcus Whitman, his wife Narcissa Whitman, and 11 others were slain by Native Americans of the Cayuse. The site commemorates the Whitmans, their role in establishing the Oregon Trail, and the challenges encountered when two cultures meet. One moment can change the fate of many nations. After thousands of years of habitation by the Cayuse Nation, life in the Columbia River Plateau begins to change rapidly with the influx of missionaries, newcomers from the Oregon Trail, and diseases. A single violent act of desperation to protect a community ignites a series of events that will reshape the United States forever. The site can be reached from US Highway 12, 8 miles west of Walla Walla, Wa. Airports are located in Walla Walla (11 miles east of park), Pasco (43 miles west), and Pendleton, Oregon (46 miles south). Whitman Mission Visitor Center The Whitman Mission Visitor Center includes a museum exhibit and a 25 minute park film. The hours below are for the Whitman Mission Visitor Center. If you are planning a trip, you can find seasonal hours and other exceptions listed at the bottom of this page. The park grounds and trails are open daily from sunrise to sunset. From Walla Walla, WA: Head west on US-12W Look for the Whitman Mission NHS brown attraction sign Turn left onto Spalding Road for .19 mile then right on Old Highway 12 for 0.8 mile Turn left on Swegle Road for 0.5 mile Turn left on Whitman Mission Road Road ends in circular parking area in front of the Visitor Center Tipi A tipi sits beneath a tree near a walking trail Rangers offer tipi demonstrations during the summer The Mission Site from the Hill View from above looking down at green fields, a pond, and mountains in the distance From Monument Hill, you can see the mission site and the surrounding Walla Walla Valley Cultural Items An array of animal furs, beaded bags, and woven baskets Explore the past through hands-on cultural items at the visitor center Fall at Whitman Mission A tree reflected in a pond with more trees and a field of golden tall grass in the background Cayuse Woven Cornhusk Bag Cornhusk Flat Bag Traditional Cayuse Cornhusk Bag 2007 NPS Environmental Achievement Awards Recipients of the 2007 NPS Environmental Achievement Awards Primarily Me 1: Out My Window Week 1: Set the scene for your story. 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National Historic Site Washington Whitman Mission National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Newcomers From time immemorial, the weyíıletpuu (Cayuse) have called this valley and this region home. Intimate with every part of it, they consider each plant and animal to be a relative. Over tens of thousands of years they have managed for the best mix of forest and grassland to support their foods. Inspired by the religious zeal of the time, Marcus and Narcissa Whitman left their New York home in 1836 to open a Christian mission among the pášapuu band of weyíıletpuu. pášapuu interest in this new lifestyle and religion waxed and waned; few converted. When the mission’s sponsors wanted to end the effort, Marcus Whitman hastened east to petition for continuing the mission. Successful, he returned, leading the first major wagon train through weyíıletpuu land. Moving with the Seasons weyíıletpuu spirituality is rooted in tamáalwit, laws that govern use of the land and follow natural cycles of the landscape. The laws dictate how humans relate to plants, animals, water and other natural elements. tamáalwit requires people to move frequently to manage dispersed foods. Abiding by tamáalwit, weyíıletpuu enjoyed stable communities and economic success. naco̓ˀx̣ Chinook salmon © FL ICK FORD pášx̣ tmɨš cemíitx Chokecherries Huckleberries © DOUG WAYLETT @ MARE JOY SMITH NPS A religious revival in the 1800s, called the “Second Great Awakening,” encouraged Christians to dedicate their lives to missionary work. Inspired by this revival, the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions sent the Whitmans and other missionaries throughout the continent to convert American Indians. The Earth says that God tells me to take care of the All are scattered in little groups far and near, Indians. . . . God names the roots that he should feed digging their kamas root and taking salmon. Here is the Indians on. The water speaks the same way. . . . the missionary’s trial in this country. The people are Take good care of the earth and do each other no with him so little of the time, and they are harm. God said. so scattered that he cannot go with them. weyíıletpuu leader táwatoy, 1855 Narcissa Whitman writing about weyíıletpuu seasonal rounds, 1841 Balsamroot sunflower A New Mission The Whitmans introduced the weyíıletpuu to a different spiritual relationship to land. People stayed in one place tending fields and livestock instead of moving with the food. This new way of life conflicted with weyíıletpuu spirituality and tamáalwit, and began to destabilize their society. Originally the missionaries’ calling was to bring their Christian beliefs to the tribes. When Marcus Whitman failed in this calling, he shifted his focus to selling crops and livestock to other missions and ministering to new immigrants. These shifts, along with a growing weyíıletpuu frustration and sense of alienation, transformed the “mission” into an immigrant way station. PIXABAY It does not concern me so much what is to become of any particular set of Indians. . . . I have no doubt The Whitmans wanted the weyíıletpuu to raise animals like sheep and crops like wheat and our greatest work is to be to aid the white settlement of this country and help to found its religious potatoes. institutions. . . . The Indians have in no case obeyed DAVE POWELL / USDA FOREST SERVICE the command to multiply and replenish the earth, © JIM LAMB PIXABAY Increasing waves of immigrants alarmed weyíıletpuu leaders tílewkeyˀkt, ˀıcıyéeye šıléq̉ıš, and tamáx̣aš. They were convinced weyíıletpuu sovereignty and lands were threatened. Then a measles epidemic killed over half the pášapuu, mostly children and elders. Many suspected that Marcus Whitman’s failure to cure them was an intentional way to acquire their land. Tensions reached a breaking point. Life in the Walla Walla Valley would soon change forever. and they cannot stand in the way of others. Marcus Whitman in a letter to Narcissa’s parents, 1844 In 1840, 15 US immigrants entered weyíıletpuu lands. Marcus Whitman escorted 1,000 more in 1843. Over 4,500 newcomers arrived in 1847, the last year of Whitman Mission. There’s blood left here by both sides. Our ancestors and the other people—their breath left them here. We both hold this ground sacred and special. k̉oỷam̉á šáamqın (Fermore Craig), 2015 Overlooking the mission site and valley Staying in One Place táx̣cik̓ay Berry basket The Valley as It Was This map shows some waterways and trails of the mid-1880s. weyíıletpuu followed streams into higher country each summer. NPS wewúukiye Elk © WENDY SHATTIL / BOB ROSINSKI tatáp̓ay White-tailed deer TIM BUSKIRK 4,500 1847 2,700 1846 A series of eight overlapping circles arranged to represent chronological order, the 3,000 colors shifting from the smallest dark green on the left to the largest yellow-green 1845 on the right. These colors are similar to the trees in the cover photo

Scale varies in this perspective view. Approximate scale at visitor center 0 Pášapuu (Cayuse) encampment (in 1847) North 0 100 Meters 100 Feet Self-guiding trail Spu r regon of the O W Tra il Restrooms al la W al la Whitman Memorial Riv Old oxbow cha nne l Restored Great Grave Visitor Center millpond Emigrant House site Grist Mill site Blacksmith Shop site First House site Mission House site Picnic area To 12 and Walla Walla Or cha r d er 

ve r he Tmɨšpa Ri uc er t At chokecherries To Riv íyam Sɨxʷsnáma Where button root grows ” ia a” “Na Come together uši Columb Wán Atákšašpo River “Tú “Ní Wána” Snake Little river Walúula Wáatpatukaykas (The Cayuse Sisters) “Walawála” Walla Walla River Páša Baking salmon on sticks over coals/fire Túuši Balsamroot sunflower “Walawála” 1836 Mission Current location of Whitman Mission National Historic Site Weyíilet Place of waving grass Walla W W a M a n y alla R Waatnuwáš Spirit power seeking place iver l a w s m a l l á l a s s t r e a m Blue “Cooyáakinma” N. Fo rk W “Imtwaha” S. Fork Walla Walla River al l a W a l l a Mountains R iv er 

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