• 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

Indoor Activities

Museum exhibits at the Nez Perce National Historical Park visitor center at Spalding, Idaho.
Museum exhibits at the Nez Perce National Historical Park visitor center located in Spalding, Idaho.
NPS Photo
 

Spalding Visitor Center

At the visitor center and museum in Spalding, Idaho, park staff provide information on sites and activities at Nez Perce National Historical Park.

Throughout the year, the park film, Nez Perce - Portrait of a People, is shown. It provides an introduction to the Nez Perce story and is also available for purchase. Museum exhibits feature an outstanding collection of clothing, tools, weapons, and ceremonial objects. The Northwest Interpretive Association has a sales outlet where you can purchase items about the Nez Perce and the National Park Service.

Generally, from Memorial Day to Labor Day, the park staff provides special walks and talks, that include museum tours and tipi pitching demonstrations.

Big Hole National Battlefield

The park visitor center provides information on how to access the battlefield. The park film, Weet'uciklitukt: There's No Turning Back, Battle at Big Hole provides an excellent introduction to the Nez Perce War of 1877 and the tragedy that took place at Big Hole. There is an exhibit on the battlefield and a sales center with items related to what happened at Big Hole and general works on the war and Nez Perce history and culture.

Bear Paw Battlefield

To get an orientation to the last battle of the Nez Perce War, your first stop should be the Blaine County Museum in Chinook. The museum offers a short audiovisual presentation 40 Miles to Freedom about the battle and siege at Bear Paw. The museum also offers exhibits on local history and paleontology. Check with the museum staff to see when the ranger will be at the battlefield.

 
 

Did You Know?

Josiah Redwolf, the last survivor of the 1877 Nez Perce War in 1968 with the Big Hole Superintendent. NPS Photo NEPE-HI-3044.

Josiah Red Wolf was five years old when the 1877 war began. His parents were killed at the Battle of Big Hole in Montana. He returned to Big Hole at the age of 91 to help dedicate the new visitor center in 1968.