• Nez Perce National Historical Park. Front Page banner photograph is of Heart of the Monster, an ancient place where the Nez Perce creation story originates. The secondary page photograph is of Nez Perce beadwork.

    Nez Perce

    National Historical Park ID,MT,OR,WA

Suggested Reading

There are hundreds of books and articles on the Nez Perce people, their history, and culture. The Nez Perce National Historic Trail offers a comprehensive, annotated bibliography of Nez Perce history and, in particular, the Nez Perce War.

We have some books available for sale through the web and provided a link to the virtual book store. The park has a research center with a non-lending library for those who would like to do indepth research on the Nez Perce.

Did You Know?

Original art work by Roy Anderson depicting Lewis and Clark meeting the Nez Perce for the first time.

In September of 1805 Lewis and Clark crossed into Nez Perce country. A debate ensued among the Nez Perce. Should they assist these strangers or attack them? A female Nez Perce elder, Wetxuuwíis (Wet-k'hoo-wees)urged her people to do them no harm. Her words were heeded; the expedition was welcomed.