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History and Cultural Attractions

Experience the exciting and interesting history of Walla Walla.

The name Walla Walla is of Indian origin and means "many waters". Both the Cayuse and Walla Walla tribes called the Walla Walla Valley home.

In the 1800s, fur traders established a settlements trading post and fort in the area. The historic Nez Perce Trail was located where Main Street is today. The historic Lewis & Clark expedition skirted the northern and western boundaries of the Walla Walla Valley in 1805. Their return trip from the Pacific Ocean in 1806 took them through present day Walla Walla County.

In 1836, Marcus and Narcissa Whitman traveled what became the Oregon Trail, and founded a mission amongst the Cayuse Indians. After 11 years, the mission effort ended when the Cayuse attacked and killed the Whitmans and twelve others.

By the 1860's Walla Walla experienced the effects of the gold rush with commercial, banking, and manufacturing activities, making it the largest city in Washington Territory. Walla Walla became home to the first commercial bank in the northwest, the first college in the region, and has the oldest, continuous symphony west of the Mississippi River. Following the gold rush, farming became the economic force behind the community and continues as one today.

Relive the history of the valley and participate in its cultural offerings.

AMO ART
 
Details:
 
Location:117 Main St
 
City:Waitsburg
 
Phone:(509) 876-1264
Website:www.amo-art.com
 
Antique Mall of Walla Walla
 
Details:
 
Location:315 South 9th Ave
 
City:Walla Walla
 
Phone:(509) 529-0677
Website:
 
Black Door Gallery & Museum of Unnatural History
 
Details:
 
Location:4 1/2 West Main St
 
City:Walla Walla
 
Phone:(509) 529-9399
Website:
 
Blue Mountain Lavender Farm
 
Details:Blue Mountain Lavender Farm, situated in the fertile Walla Walla Valley, is owned and operated by our French-American family. Inspired by the rich color and fragrance of lavender fields in the South of France, we began planting our own fields in 2000. Surrounded by rolling hills of wheat and alfalfa, our farm is an island of color set against the greens and golds of the summer season. Visit our farm specializing in lavender gifts for the body, soul, and home. Please call ahead.
 
Location:345 Short Road
 
City:Lowden
 
Phone:(509) 529-FARM (3276)
Website:www.bluemountainlavender.com
 
Breezeway Gallery
 
Details:
 
Location:Whitman College
 
City:Walla Walla
 
Phone:(509) 527-5252
Website:
 
Brickstone Design Gallery
 
Details:
 
Location:61 East Main Street
 
City:Walla Walla
 
Phone:(509) 529-7530
Website:
 
Broel Studio
 
Details:Contemporary paintings and sculpture. Broel works in a variety of mediums and references forms from nature. New work is always rotated through the gallery. Stop on by to see works by this Northwest Artist in bronze, glass, oil, and watercolor.
 
Location:13 1/2 Main St. Suite 211
 
City:Walla Walla
 
Phone:(509) 522-1060
Website:www.broelstudio.com
 
Bruce Memorial Museum
 
Details:This elegant Victorian mansion, built in 1883 by William P. and Caroline Bruce, has been completely restored and furnished by the Waitsburg Historical Society.
 
Location:Main Street
 
City:Waitsburg
 
Phone:(509) 337-6157
Website:
 
C.S. Poppenga Studio
 
Details:
 
Location:1018 S Main
 
City:Milton-Freewater
 
Phone:(541) 938-7315
Website:www.poppenga.com/
 
Carnegie Art Center
 
Details:Carnegie is a private, non-profit art institution which serves as a hub for art exhibits, classes, outreach, retail sales and a meeting place for community arts and cultural organizations. Exhibits are ever changing and admission is free.
 
Location:109 S. Palouse St.
 
City:Walla Walla
 
Phone:(509) 525-4270
Website:www.carnegieart.com
 
Children's Museum of Walla Walla
 
Details:The Children's Museum of Walla Walla is a unique place developed to intrigue and inspire children. The museum will feature special events such as a pinewood derby for Father's Day, a variety of science workshops, and a rocket workshop. The museum also includes many permanent exhibits: The Enchanted Theater- A life size puppet theater that gives children the chance to dress up in costumes and perform onstage while learning about music and creativity. The Bug Patch Party Room- A large room filled with flowers and various insects. This room is available for birthday/special occassion rentals. Our Powerful Valley- Shows kids how snow in the Blue Mountains becomes electricity that lights our homes. Wee Walla Walla Harvest Market- A kid sized supermarket that gives children a real shopping experience. Other exhibits will include the Doctor's Office, the Mexican Restaurant, and Construction Junction. The Museum is open Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays 10a.m. - 5p.m. and beginning June 12, Sundays from noon - 4p.m.
 
Location:77 Wainwright Place
 
City:Walla Walla
 
Phone:(509) 526-PLAY (7529)
Website:www.cmwallawalla.org
 
Clay In Motion
 
Details:Established in 1981, the studio produces over 100 beautifully decorated pottery items that are well accepted by the public. Each creative, user friendly and functional item is fired at 2200 degrees fahrenheit in large gas kilns and are lead free, dishwasher, oven and microwave safe.
 
Location:85301 Highway 11
 
City:Milton-Freewater
 
Phone:(509) 529-6146
Website:www.clayinmotion.com/
 
Clyde & Mary Harris Gallery
 
Details:
 
Location:Walla Walla College
 
City:College Place
 
Phone:(509) 527-2600
Website:
 
Crow's Shadow Institute of the Arts
 
Details:Crow's Shadow Institute of the Arts provides educational, social and economic opportunities to Native Americans through artistic development
 
Location:48004 St. Andrew's Road
 
City:Pendleton
 
Phone:(541) 276-3954
Website:www.crowsshadow.org
 
Darrah’s
 
Details:
 
Location:39 East Main
 
City:Walla Walla
 
Phone:(509) 525-7722
Website:
 
Dayton Historic Depot
 
Details:Visit the oldest depot in the state, a beautifully restored museum offering guided tours, fabulous local photos, antiques, and a gift shop.
 
Location:222 E. Commercial
 
City:Dayton
 
Phone:(509) 382-2026
Website:www.historicdaytondepot.org
 
Diettrich House Antiques
 
Details:
 
Location:625 W. Alder
 
City:Walla Walla
 
Phone:(509) 529-8707
Website:
 
Empire Antiques
 
Details:
 
Location:1975 Walla Walla Ave
 
City:Walla Walla
 
Phone:(509) 525-5137
Website:
 
Fenton/Stahl Gallery
 
Details:
 
Location:11 South Spokane
 
City:Walla Walla
 
Phone:(509) 529-6963
Website:
 
Fort Walla Walla Museum
 
Details:Fort Walla Walla Museum is located within the one-square-mile military reservation that served as Fort Walla Walla from the 1850s to the early 1900s. The Museum features a pioneer settlement complete with original buildings including a cabin built by Ransom Clark in the 1850s, the Union School built in 1867, a jail from Prescott, a barbershop, a railroad depot from Eureka Flats, and many other buildings. There are also five spacious exhibit halls filled with hundreds of exhibits featuring horse-era agriculture, pioneer life, and military history. Time magazine rated Fort Walla Walla Museum as one of 11 notable sites in the nation to experience the Lewis & Clark Expedition, and the National Park Service added its recognition in 2005. This season, the Museum is proudly displaying the Lloyd Family Indian Artifact Collection: Positive Cultural Interaction in Southeast Washington. Featuring scores of dazzling beaded and embroidered items, baskets, and photographs, the exhibit tells stories of more than 80 years of friendship between a pioneer family and their friends among the region’s Homeland Tribes. Fort Walla Walla Museum offers programs, special events, kids camps, and tours for schools or other groups. We are a family-oriented museum with plenty of activities for all age groups. Open daily, 10 am – 5 pm, April through October.
 
Location:755 Myra Road
 
City:Walla Walla
 
Phone:(509) 525-7703
Website:http://www.fortwallawallamuseum.org
 
Hair's Cow Camp & Ranch Clinics
 
Details:Whether or not you or your horse has ever been around a cow before, you will have an opportunity to experience a piece of traditional cowboy life. The clinic includes good horsemanship skills, sorting and driving cattle, and some roping for those who are interested. The clinic begins on Thursday evening with driving the cows up to the cow camp then sitting down to a tasty meal. Friday is spent learning the horsemanship skills necessary to work cattle. Saturday and Sunday include a variety of activities of working cattle. Those who are interested in roping generally have an opportunity to do so for a small portion of the clinic. Driving the cattle back down to the loading corral on Sunday ends this amazing weekend cowboy experience.
 
Location:4131 Casey Road
 
City:Prescott
 
Phone:(509) 749-2336
Website:www.hairscowcamp.com
 
Hawthorne Gallery
 
Details:
 
Location:220 W Patit
 
City:Dayton
 
Phone:(509) 382-3137
Website:
 
Heritage Station Museum
 
Details:Heritage Station, The Umatilla County Historical Museum, is telling the story of this region’s unique heritage. It’s a BIG story, so exhibits are not static. They change often to portray local history from a variety of perspectives, utilizing historic objects and information from the museum archives. The Museum also hosts touring exhibits and showcases private collections.
 
Location:108 SW Frazar Ave.
 
City:Pendleton
 
Phone:(541) 276-0012
Website:www.heritagestationmuseum.org/
 
Hugs, Gifts & Collectibles
 
Details:
 
Location:202 E Main
 
City:Dayton
 
Phone:(509) 539-8773
Website:
 
James Leigh Cellars
 
Details:
 
Location:16 North Second
 
City:Walla Walla
 
Phone:(509) 529-1398
Website:www.jamesleighcellars.com
 
Jill Ingram Watercolors
 
Details:
 
Location:231 E Main
 
City:Dayton
 
Phone:(509) 382-3141
Website:
 
Joy's Hall Antiques & Furnishings
 
Details:
 
Location:209 E. Clay
 
City:Dayton
 
Phone:(509) 539-8773
Website:
 
Kirkman House Museum
 
Details:Built by William & Isabella Kirkman in the 1800s, the house is restored and furnished in an 1880s style. A successful rancher, Kirkman was the first to ship cattle outside the Washington Territory.
 
Location:214 North Colville
 
City:Walla Walla
 
Phone:(509) 529-4373
Website:www.kirkmanhousemuseum.org
 
Klickers Berries and Antique Store
 
Details:
 
Location:3300 Isaacs Ave
 
City:Walla Walla
 
Phone:(509) 525-8650
Website:
 
Mandrakes II
 
Details:
 
Location:212 E. Main St
 
City:Walla Walla
 
Phone:(509) 529-1790
Website:
 
Maxey Museum
 
Details:Located in Maxey Hall on the campus of Whitman College
 
Location:Boyer Ave
 
City:Walla Walla
 
Phone:(509) 52-7-5294
Website:
 
Maxine's
 
Details:
 
Location:15 Boyer Ave.
 
City:Walla Walla
 
Phone:(509) 526-3141
Website:
 
Mrs. Mc's Fine Furnishings
 
Details:
 
Location:163 E. Main
 
City:Dayton
 
Phone:(509) 382-1964
Website:
 
Nobull Studios
 
Details:
 
Location:8237 Mill Creek Road
 
City:Walla Walla
 
Phone:(509) 525-7036
Website:
 
Noodlle Grotto Studios
 
Details:
 
Location:13 1/2 E Main
 
City:Walla Walla
 
Phone:(509) 529-7682
Website:
 
Nothing New Antiques
 
Details:
 
Location:214 Main St.
 
City:Waitsburg
 
Phone:(509) 337-6369
Website:
 
Nothing New Antiques
 
Details:
 
Location:214 Main St.
 
City:Waitsburg
 
Phone:(509) 337-6393
Website:
 
Orchidaceae
 
Details:Orchidaceae, Inc - a place where serious collectors and cansual fanciers will discover the intoxicating world of beautiful orchids. Here among golden wheat fields and Merlot vineyards, Orchidacae offers an extensive selection of orchids to surprise and delight every kind of orchid enthusiast. Open by appointment and on special event weekends
 
Location:2022 Wallula Ave
 
City:Walla Walla
 
Phone:(509) 525-9566
Website:www.orchidaceae.com
 
Paradise Art Gallery
 
Details:
 
Location:14 East Main
 
City:Walla Walla
 
Phone:(509) 525-1828
Website:www.jamesparadise.com/art/
 
Ralph Trethewey Art Studio
 
Details:
 
Location:4 1/2 West Main
 
City:Walla Walla
 
Phone:(509) 520-3865
Website:
 
Rhythmite Gallery
 
Details:
 
Location:40 S Colville
 
City:Walla Walla
 
Phone:(509) 522-0766
Website:
 
Seven Hills Gallery
 
Details:
 
Location:212 N Third Avenue
 
City:Walla Walla
 
Phone:(509) 529-7198
Website:
 
Shady Lawn Antiques
 
Details:
 
Location:711 N. Rose & Sumach St.
 
City:Walla Walla
 
Phone:(509) 529-2123
Website:www.shadylawnantiques.com
 
Sheehan Gallery
 
Details:
 
Location:Whitman College
 
City:Walla Walla
 
Phone:(509) 527-5249
Website:www.whitman.edu/art/gallery.html
 
Skylite Gallery
 
Details:
 
Location:7 N Second
 
City:Walla Walla
 
Phone:(509) 525-4222
Website:www.skylitegallery.com
 
Snoflake Gallery
 
Details:
 
Location:139 E Main
 
City:Dayton
 
Phone:(509) 382-3039
Website:
 
Somewhere in Time
 
Details:Athena, OR
 
Location:352 E. Main
 
City:
 
Phone:(541) 566-2293
Website:
 
Stevens Gallery
 
Details:
 
Location:Whitman College
 
City:Walla Walla
 
Phone:(509) 527-5208
Website:www.whitman.edu/student_activities/gallery.cfm
 
Tamastslikt Cultural Institute
 
Details:
 
Location:Highway 331, Mission
 
City:
 
Phone:(800) 654-9453
Website:www.tamastslikt.org
 
The Clock Shop and Antiques
 
Details:
 
Location:41 S. Palouse
 
City:Walla Walla
 
Phone:(509) 525-4589
Website:
 
The Country Store
 
Details:
 
Location:2205 E. Isaacs Ave
 
City:Walla Walla
 
Phone:(509) 525-8500
Website:
 
The Frazier Farmstead Museum
 
Details:This museum is on the original homesite of community founder W.S. Frazier. Settled in 1868, the six-acre site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The restored home contains many of its original furnishings. Several farm buildings remain on the site, and a perennial herb garden, a rose garden, a gift shop, and a historical research facility are located on the grounds as well.
 
Location:1403 Chestnut Street
 
City:Milton-Freewater
 
Phone:(541) 938-4636
Website:museum.bmi.net
 
Timeless Treasures
 
Details:Athena, OR
 
Location:216 E. Main
 
City:
 
Phone:(541) 861-5525
Website:
 
Waitsburg Hardware & Mercantile
 
Details:
 
Location:134 Main St.
 
City:Waitsburg
 
Phone:(509) 337-6671
Website:
 
Walla Walla Corn Maze
 
Details:Celebrating Our 6th Year with An all new Design. OPEN: September 15 through October 31 THURSDAY 6pm - 10pm FRIDAY 6pm - 11pm SATURDAY 2pm - 11pm SUNDAY 4pm - 9pm ***October 27-31 will be scary and will be $6 per trip*** >Last admittance 1/2 hour befor closing. >We have flashlights for rent, $1.00 each. >Please bring your own flashlight if you don't want to rent. >Come share in the fun, maze will change every two weeks. INCLUDING ** Concession Stand ** Hot dogs by B.U.F.F. ** Portable Restrooms Follow signs east on Issaacs to Five Mile Road/ Mill Creek Y. Take Five Mile Rd on right. One mile to last house on the left on Five Mile Road. Follow signs.
 
Location:Five Mile Road
 
City:Walla Walla
 
Phone:(509) 525-4798
Website:
 
Walla Walla County Fairgrounds
 
Details:The Walla Walla Fairgrounds is the ideal setting for reunions, picnics, company parties, wedding receptions, banquets and indoor or outdoor activities. The grounds have shady lawn areas, beautiful landscaping, an outdoor stage, RV camping, picnic tables, benches and more. Family members have grown up coming to the fairgrounds for community and private events from horse shows to weddings….experiencing something new on each visit and making memories worth repeating. Browse our web-site and discover information about upcoming events at the Fairgrounds, our County Fair, facility rentals, auto events, equine events and a whole lot more! We hope you enjoy your visit and please feel free to contact our office for additional information or to reserve our facilities for your next event.
 
Location:363 Orchard St
 
City:Walla Walla
 
Phone:(509) 527-3247
Website:www.wallawallafairgrounds.com/
 
Walla Walla Foundry Gallery
 
Details:The Walla Walla Foundry Gallery is a commercial gallery exhibiting artists associated with the Walla Walla Foundry, which specializes in casting Contemporary Fine Art in bronze, silver and aluminum. Mediums include sculpture, paintings and prints. "exhibiting Squire Broel: Oil, Bronze and Glass, January 15 - March 3 ."
 
Location:405 Woodland Avenue
 
City:Walla Walla
 
Phone:(509) 529-0736
Website:www.wallawallafoundry.com
 
Wenaha Gallery
 
Details:A unique experience in historical Dayton on the Lewis and Clark Trail, this national award winning gallery features original art, fine art limited edition prints and canvases, bronze and metal sculptures, books, jewelry and other gift ideas. They also provide a knowledgeable staff to help you choose designs for custom conservation framing.
 
Location:219 East Main
 
City:Dayton
 
Phone:(509) 382-2124
Website:www.wenaha.com
 
Whitman Cellars
 
Details:
 
Location:1015 West Pine
 
City:Walla Walla
 
Phone:(509) 529-1142
Website:
 
Whitman Mission National Historic Site
 
Details:Located seven miles west of Walla Walla on Highway 12, the mission was built in 1836 by Marcus and Narcissa Whitman. After more than a decade of living and working with the Cayuse Indians, the Whitman's mission effort ended in violence as a band of indians killed the Whitmans and 11 others. The massacre sparked a war between the Cayuse and area settlers from the Willamette and Lower Columbia Valleys and eventually led to the creation of the Oregon Territory in 1848. Demonstrations replicating pioneer and Cayuse life in the 1840s are staged each weekend.
 
Location:Highway 12
 
City:Walla Walla
 
Phone:(509) 529-2761
Website:www.nps.gov/whmi
 
Willow
 
Details:Opening May 2008! Contemporary artworks with a focus on promoting and serving the local arts community. Drop in to view current exhibits as well as unique retail items. Need a venue for an arts-related event? Contact info@willow-wallawalla.com
 
Location:2 East Rose St
 
City:Walla Walla
 
Phone:(509) 876-2247 or (509) 540-4912
Website:www.willow-wallawalla.com
 
Windward Studio
 
Details:
 
Location:1447 Bryant Ave
 
City:Walla Walla
 
Phone:(509) 529-4713
Website:
 
WWCC Fine Arts Gallery
 
Details:
 
Location:500 Tausick Way
 
City:Walla Walla
 
Phone:(527) -1873
Website:www.wwcc.edu/programs/academic/art/events.cfm
 
YMCA Ice Chalet
 
Details:
 
Location:
 
City:
 
Phone:(509) 525-2575
Website:
 


  Historic Homes
Lewis and Clark
Main Street
Downtown Walking Tour
 

Fort Walla Walla Museum

 

Walla Walla History



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