Walla Walla's Most Interesting Historic Sites

Walla Walla and the surrounding areas have numerous excellent parks for you to enjoy. We've listed a few of our favorites below. Be sure to give us a Walla Walla and the surrounding areas have a surprising number of fascinating historical sites. If you're interested in American history, particularly the history of the Northwest, take time to check out a few of the sites we discuss in this article. You won't be disappointed.

Whitman Mission National Historic Site

Address | 328 Whitman Mission Rd, Walla Walla, WA
Distance from us | 13.4 miles
Hours | Daily, 9 am until 4 pm

Whitman Mission National Historic Site commemorates the lives of Marcus and Narcissa Whitman, founders of the Oregon Trail. The Whitmans and other settlers established the mission in the mid-1800s. In 1847, a group of Cayuse attacked the mission and killed the Whitmans and eleven other settlers. The attack marked the downfall of the Cayuse Nation and ensured Oregon would become a United States Territory.

Whitman Mission National Historic Site is a great place to explore a part of American history. You can walk along historical trails, take a self-guided audio tour of the site, and browse the Whitman Mission Museum. The museum is especially interesting, with items belonging to the Whitmans and various Cayuse artifacts. A park store with a small selection of books, games, and travel guides, is also onsite. Admission to Whitman Mission National Historic Site is free.

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Fort Walla Walla Museum

Address: | 755 NE Myra Rd, Walla Walla, WA
Distance from us | 8.3 miles
Hours | Daily, 10 am until 5 pm

Fort Walla Walla Museum is located on 15 acres at Fort Walla Walla Park. The museum is comprised of a pioneer village and a number of exhibit halls. The pioneer village, primarily made up of restored historical buildings, is intended to give you an idea of what life was like in Walla Walla during the late 1800s. Exhibit halls display artifacts, photographs, and artwork related to a variety of topics, including military life, agriculture, and transportation.

Fort Walla Walla Museum also hosts events throughout the year, including living history presentations, in which reenactors portray historical figures. Finally, the museum has a Museum Store where you can purchase books, toys, games, and other unique gifts. Admission to the museum is very inexpensive, and guided tours are available.

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Frenchtown Historic Site

Address | 8364 Old Hwy 12, Walla Walla, WA
Distance from us | 14.4 miles
Hours | Daily, dawn to dusk

The Frenchtown Historic Site is a historically important area for a number of reasons. It's part of the Walla Walla and Cayuse tribe's homeland. It's where French-Canadian travelers settled in the early 1800s. And it's the site of the Battle of Walla Walla, a battle between the Oregon Mounted Volunteers and several American Indian tribes.

The Frenchtown Historic Site is also the location of Prince's Cabin, possibly the oldest French-Canadian structure in the state of Washington. The St. Rose Cemetery is also located at the site, along with family burial records and other historical information. All in all, the Frenchtown Historic Site is definitely worth a visit if you enjoy American history.

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Kirkman House Museum

Address | 214 N Colville St, Walla Walla, WA
Distance from us | 6.1 miles
Hours | Friday through Sunday, 10 am until 2 pm

The Kirkman House was built in 1880 by William Kirkman, a highly successful Walla Walla businessman. The house is a beautifully restored example of Victorian Italianate architecture. And it's the only example of this type of architecture still remaining in Walla Walla. At the time it was built, the house was considered one of the grandest structures in this part of the Northwest.

Today, you can explore Kirkman House and experience how Walla Walla's upper crust lived. The house still has many of the Kirkman family's original furnishings, including an classic 1881 piano. Note that the museum is maintained by a non-profit organization, and they would prefer you call a week or two prior to visiting. The house is also used as a private event venue for weddings and other group events.

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