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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 Dr. Whitman

A Missionary Saga Season 2

The story of Marcus and Narcissa Whitman continues in this new 12-part series. Last year described the trip out and finding mission sites. This year will focus on the early years of the mission. New installments will be added each week January through March 2010.

 
Goose family with five goslings

What's New on the Web

Items keep being added to the park's web site. See what's new.

 
Drawing of Narcissa and Marcus Whitman

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

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° F, lows around 62° F. Wear shorts, T-shirt, hat, and sunscreen. Winters can be cloudy and cold. Winter temperatures: Highs around 40°F, lows around 20° F. Coat and hat recommended.
Communities Surrounding Whitman Mission National Historic Site
Note: The times listed below are approximate driving times to the park.
Walla Walla, WA (10 min. ) Pop. 29,686
College Place, WA (12 min. ) Pop. 7,818
Touchet, WA (14 min. ) Pop. 396
Milton Freewater, OR (22 min. )
Dixie, WA (23 min. ) Pop. 220
Wallula, WA (31 min. ) Pop. 197
Waitsburg, WA (35 min. ) Pop. 1,212
Weston, OR (36 min. ) Pop. 717
Athena, OR (36 min. ) Pop. 1,221
Prescott, WA (40 min. ) Pop. 314
Adams, OR (42 min. ) Pop. 297
Burbank, WA (43 min. ) Pop. 3,303
Pasco, WA (52 min. ) Pop. 32,066
Helix, OR (53 min. ) Pop. 183
Kennewick, WA (58 min. ) Pop. 54,693
Pendleton, OR (59 min. ) Pop. 16,354
Glendale, OR (1 hr.  6 min. ) Pop. 855