Whitman Mission National Historic Site (U.S. National Park Service)

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Whitman Mission National Historic Site

The 1847 Whitman “Massacre” horrified Americans and impacted the lives of the peoples of the Columbia Plateau for decades afterwards. Was killing the Whitmans justified legal retribution, an act of revenge, or some combination of both?The circumstances that surround this tragic event resonate with modern issues of cultural interaction and differing perspectives.

Painting of covered wagon being pulled by oxen

A Missionary Saga

A twelve-part serial about the Whitmans' trip out and their time at the mission site. New installments added weekly January through March 2009.

What's New on the Web

Many new items have been added to the park's web site. There is an essay on Rushville, New York (birthplace of Marcus Whitman), a two-volume book about the Whitmans, archeology reports, a history of the park, and much more.
Complete list

Read About the Whitmans

In 1836, before the era of emigrant wagon trains, five Protestant missionaries decided to cross the continent to establish a mission in what was known then as the "Oregon Country."
Read more about them

Read their letters

Archeologists working at Whitman Mission in the 1940s.

Rotating Displays

The focus of the current display is archeology. Objects on display are changed periodically to protect the artifacts and to allow additional items to be seen.
Read more about archeology in the park

Write to

328 Whitman Mission Road
Walla Walla, WA 99362

E-mail Us

Phone

Visitor Information - 24 hour recording
(509) 529-2761

Park Headquarters
(509) 522-6360

Fax

(509) 522-6355

Climate

Summers are sunny and usually hot. Summer temperatures: Highs around 92 degrees F., lows around 62 degrees F. Wear shorts, T-shirt, hat, and sunscreen. Winters can be cloudy and cold. Winter temperatures: Highs around 40 degrees F.,lows around 20 degrees F. Coat and hat recommended.