Chapter Five:
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

The Great Grave

The two-ton marble Great Grave slab laid in 1897 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Whitman massacre was one of the first cultural resources to concern National Park Service management. Just as the original grave of the massacre victims suffered from neglect, the Great Grave suffered a similar fate from time to time. Until 1962 a road led to the Great Grave from the park's east entrance and continued beyond to the neighboring farm. A parking area surrounded the grave as did a decorative iron fence. Cars turning around in the parking area would hit and damage this railing and Superintendent Weldon remembers that parties near the grave caused several complaints. [72] As a result, one of the notable accomplishments of 1952 was the clean up of "this hitherto somewhat weedy area" [73] and repairing the car-damaged railing that surrounded the grave. In 1962, as part of the Mission 66 development project, this road was converted to a trail and the surrounding parking area eliminated, [74] creating a more peaceful atmosphere in which to view the grave.

A proposal to change the Great Grave's appearance arose in 1950 and remained a possibility for years. Mr. W. D. Church requested permission from the National Park Service to add the first name "Walter" to the last name "Marsh" which was carved on the slab in 1897. [75] Regional Director Merriam approved the request provided the family paid the recarving expenses. [76] Although the project was abandoned in 1952 when the family failed to find a company able to carve the stone, [77] Superintendent Weldon agreed with Church that all the names should be recarved: "I told him this seemed to me a good idea and if the local people didn't get it accomplished I thought we ought to set it up as a Park Service project one of these days." [78] Indeed, this almost became a Park Service project in 1973 when Historian Erwin Thompson recommended recarving the 14 names on the marble slab to correct misspellings, to improve their visibility, and to remove the name of one person who did not die in the massacre. [79] The stone was not recarved, however, because of a later suggestion by Dr. Norman Weiss of Columbia University, an expert in the conservation of masonry structures. [80] The 1984 "Resource Management Plan" reported that "Dr. Weiss recommended polishing the raised letters, not only to improve its readability, but also to preserve the marble from accelerated weathering." [81] Superintendent Amdor agreed with the recommendation stating, "We're not going to change history. If [the names are] wrong its really a function, then, of interpretation to interpret that its wrong, not a function of management to fix mistakes to make it acceptable." [82] Therefore, polishing the stone remains the preferred method for preserving these inscriptions.

Dr. Weiss's principal contribution to long-term grave management was his recommendation for stabilizing the marble slab which was cracking due to sagging of the stone's center. Weiss stated, "There is no easy way to solve this problem without partial (or complete) dismantling." [83] Therefore, the goal was to install additional support for the center of the slab which would alleviate the stress and halt cracking. [84] Under the supervision of Regional Archeologist James Thomson and Regional Historical Architect Laurin Huffman, the contractors--Alderwood Contracting of Lynnwood--completed the rehabilitation on November 15, 1983. [85] With the slab on a secure foundation, cracking due to settling and warping will stop, although cracks may expand from frost. [86] Management of the grave now consists of annually monitoring the cracks and warps and comparing measurements from year to year. [87] Superintendent Amdor called the Great Grave rehabilitation "The most long-term cultural resource project we've done." [88]

Memorial Shaft

The Memorial Shaft, erected one month after the 50th anniversary of the Whitman massacre, commemorated the Whitmans long before a national park was established in their name in 1940. The shaft and the Great Grave were the only markers of the mission's existence until archeological excavations were undertaken in 1941. Bob Weldon was the first administrator to actively manage and try to beautify the shaft area. Not only was the grave's appearance improved during Superintendent Weldon's administration but for the first time water was pumped to Shaft Hill to provide green grass around the memorial shaft. [89] The same road that led to the Great Grave led to the shaft, although it was a steep climb for cars. In 1952 the road was converted to a path with a gate at the bottom to prevent cars from driving up the hill. [90] During this time, the land on the hill surrounding the shaft was farmed by neighbor Enos Miller. Given that Miller's only access to the hill was up this trail, Superintendent Weldon often found the freshly smoothed and manicured path torn up by farm machinery. [91] This problem was alleviated when Miller moved in 1953. [92]

Another long-term management concern included determining the proper nomenclature for the shaft. In 1952, Assistant Director Ronald F. Lee recommended the marker be designated as the "Whitman Memorial Shaft" [93] to distinguish it from the park which was called the Whitman National Monument. However, until 1963 when the park's name was changed from national monument to national historic site, visitors confused the memorial shaft with the entire park, oftentimes never stopping at the mission site itself. The 1963 name changed solved this misunderstanding.

In 1982 there was concern that the shaft was tilting. The 1982 "Resource Management Plan" noted that:

One corner of the Memorial shaft is slightly lower than it should be, due, apparently, to excessive irrigation of the lawn around it. A lateral crack has appeared at the point in which the shaft rests on the base on the Memorial. The crack appears to be the result of the slight sagging of the corner of the Memorial. [94]

Corrective action included reducing irrigation and monitoring the degree of sagging. In 1985, upon the suggestion of Regional Historical Architect Huffman, the shaft was cleaned, the sprinkler heads moved to spray away from the base and fixed measuring points established to monitor movement of the shaft. [95] If measured annually, any movement in the shaft will be detected and further action taken, although after examining the memorial's concrete foundation, Superintendent Amdor said there was "no way" [96] the memorial could move. Confirming this suspicion, a survey conducted by Anderson Perry and Associates in 1986 failed to detect any significant movement of the shaft [97] since 1985. This periodic monitoring should prevent any problems before they occur and should ensure effective management of the shaft in the future.

The Mission Site

The park's most important cultural resource is, of course, the mission site where Marcus and Narcissa Whitman established their mission and lived for eleven years. From the once busy center of farming, teaching, and ministering to the serene park-like setting of today, this site has changed drastically and is administration's primary cultural resource. Excavated from 1941-1950, the site came under the responsibility of Superintendent Weldon from 1950-1956. During his administration, the sites were backfilled, covered with gravel, and outlined with timbers. [98] This method of delineating the mission buildings sufficed until 1957 when Superintendent Kennedy replaced the planks with concrete blocks. [99] Upon Director Wirth's suggestion, the room interiors were outlined in 1961. [100]

From 1952 onward, the mission site was managed as a self-guiding site. Begun initially to provide visitors with information when Superintendent Weldon was absent, [101] the self-guiding trail and sign program became an important part of cultural resource management. The first signs were located at the gristmill, first house, emigrant house, and blacksmith shop with bulletins placed near the millpond, great grave, and memorial shaft. [102] In 1953, five new signs arrived for the memorial shaft, great grave, millpond dikes, mission agriculture, and the mission children. [103] A sign also marked the Whitman-Eells memorial church site for a short time. [104]

In 1960, Park Historian Thompson suggested revising the trail system to encourage visitors to end their tour of the grounds at the mission house where the massacre occurred--the climax of the Whitman story. [105] His suggestion was incorporated into the 1962 revised master plan and the trail completed in May 1962. [106] The next year Thompson and Superintendent Kennedy planned a new comprehensive interpretive sign program consisting of metal photo signs and audio stations, which proved popular with visitors and eased the burden on the interpreters during those busy development years. [107] In 1978, the old signs were replaced with a new series--eleven wayside exhibits, one moveable exhibit on the Oregon Trail, and three directional markers. [108] These exhibits, at the park today, include audio stations at the gristmill, emigrant house, blacksmith shop, and mission house, on the spot where Alice Clarissa drowned, and at the Great Grave and the Memorial Shaft. Thus, the self-guiding trail continues to meet both management and visitor needs.

The First House wall display.

Although the mission buildings were never reconstructed, a portion of the adobe-brick wall of Whitman's first house was displayed in situ from 1954-1978. Then, after 24 years of the wall's deterioration, management decided that the best way to manage this valuable cultural resource was to cover up the display. This was long delayed, yet not surprising, decision considering that the adobe exhibit was problematic from the beginning. Housed in a concrete box with a glass top for viewing, Superintendent Kennedy reported only two years after its installment that sloughing of a portion of the wall had occurred due to minus 20 degree weather. [109] Given that such cold weather would likely reoccur, Kennedy wondered then just how permanent this exhibit would be. [110] Nevertheless, a heat lamp and fan were installed to protect the adobe from the cold weather, [111] although standing water and excessive condensation inside the glass were continual problems. [112] In March 1967, upon the suggestion of Paul Schumacher, Chief, Archeological Research, a sealant called Pencapsula was applied to the adobe and reapplied in November. In spite of this treatment several inspections revealed further cracking and sloughing of adobe. [113] A consultation with Mr. C. E. Holmes, who was familiar with Pencapsula, revealed that the Pencapsula itself probably contributed to the deterioration. [114] In 1967, Regional Curator Edward Jahns requested assistance from Don P. Morris of the Ruins Stabilization Unit, Southwest Archeological Center, who recommended two alternatives -- either sealing the wall portions under grade level or burying the wall and constructing a replica. [115] Regional Curator Jahns had doubts about both options, as did Superintendent Stickler and Regional Historian John A. Hussey. [116] As a result, Superintendent Stickler stated the course of action that was ultimately followed, "Another alternative is to display the present exposed section of the wall as long as it is presentable." [117] In other words, the wall was displayed regardless of deterioration. By 1976, the Wayside Exhibit Plan indicated that the display would be dismantled: "The new [first house] exhibit will not expose any portion of the adobe wall." [118] The adobe wall exhibit was finally backfilled to prevent further deterioration in 1978. [119] Thus, after years of trying to stabilize the adobe, management determined the best way to ensure the existence of this important cultural resource was to return it to earth which had previously protected it so well.

The Oregon Trail

From Independence, Missouri, to Oregon City, Oregon, the Oregon Trail represents pioneers and westward expansion. From 1836-1847 the Whitman Mission was a station on this trail, providing supplies and shelter for hundreds of emigrants traveling west. When the mission became a national park in 1940 the county road ran east-west across the park, in a location traditionally recognized as the Oregon Trail. Plans to reroute this road and reconstruct the trail were first formed in 1947, [120] although it was not accomplished until 1963. [121] A brief excavation of the supposed location in 1961 failed to reveal any archeological evidence of the trail, [122] although sketches of the mission made by eye-witnesses confirm its location.

Traditionally, the ruts were maintained with herbicides except for a brief period from 1980-1984 when hand tools were used. [123] In 1985, a gasoline powered line marker was purchased to remove any vegetation from the ruts. [124] Active management of the Oregon Trail will continue in the future, due, in part, to its inclusion on the List of Classified Structures in 1985 along with the Great Grave and Memorial Shaft. Additional classified structures at the park include the millpond, irrigation ditch, and the Walla Walla River oxbow.

Millpond, Irrigation Ditch, Oxbow, and Orchard

Whitman's millpond, originally used for irrigation and for the gristmill, was restored in 1961. [125] However, because of erosion caused by the Canada geese, mallard ducks, muskrats, moles and gophers, the dike was rebuilt in 1981 and again in 1982. [126] The millpond is currently managed under the cultural cyclic maintenance program.

The millpond as it appeared after 1961.

The irrigation ditch is just as important today as it was when Marcus Whitman irrigated his crops 150 years ago. A section of the irrigation ditch was restored in 1961--moved from the north side of the Oregon Trail to the south. [127] As a result, the ditch is preserved and interpreted as part of the mission story, while carrying water for modern agricultural purposes, as well. [128]

While the Whitmans were at Waiilatpu, the Walla Walla River ran immediately south of their first house. It was in this river that their daughter, Alice Clarissa, drowned in 1839. Today the dry channel is visible as it bends sharply south of the first house site. Signs have marked this oxbow since 1953; the 1984 "Resource Management Plan" recommended controlling the weeds and brush with fire to further define the oxbow. [129] As a result, mowing is the current method of managing this cultural resource.

The apple orchard first planted by Superintendent Weldon to resemble the Whitmans' orchard has been maintained since 1955 with "old fashioned" apples that were available in the 1840s. Superintendent Weldon planted Northern Spy, Spizenberg, Winesap, and Baldwin varieties. [130] Today the orchard is a small cluster of trees maintained to give visitors a sense of the Whitmans' orchard.

Pioneer Cemetery and Indian Burial Ground

Management of Alice Clarissa's grave marker is discussed under the archeology section of this chapter. The pioneer cemetery is located east of the Great Grave, although only a few grave markers survived. Photographs as early as 1897 reveal two small headstones marking the graves of two early pioneer families--the Stones and McElhaneys. In 1958, Superintendent Kennedy removed these markers because they were repeatedly vandalized and in his words, "did not contribute importantly to the Whitman story." [131] In 1960, Mrs. Leslie R. Keays requested that the markers be returned to the cemetery so the assistant regional director suggested placing markers that were flush with the ground. [132] He also suggested to Director Wirth that "some sort of interpretive marker explaining the history of the entire pioneer cemetery is in order . . . . " [133] In 1960 two markers were placed flush with the ground to commemorate both pioneer families, and a wayside marker for the cemetery was established in 1986. [134]

Located at the base of Shaft Hill, a small portion of the Indian burial ground was excavated by Schumacher in 1961 [135] but, like the pioneer cemetery, was not marked. In 1978, the Native American Religious Freedom Act required re-evaluation of such policies, so marking the site was reconsidered. After consulting with elders of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, it became clear that the descendants of this culture preferred that the status quo continue. [136] Therefore, management has no plans to mark the site at present.

Artifact Preservation

After excavation in the 1940s, the park's artifacts required special care, yet they did not always receive the attention necessary for proper collections management. For years the artifacts were kept in the temporary storage shed-museum in small drawers "where the iron would rust and turn into dust," said Historian Thompson. [137] The National Park Service was slow to preserve many of the park's small metal artifacts and as a result, lost many through deterioration. Faced with the need to select artifacts for the new museum and to help Regional Archeologist Paul Schumacher identify the metal artifacts discovered in the 1960 excavation, Superintendent Kennedy addressed this heretofore ignored issue. [138] In 1961, because of Archeologist Schumacher's insistence, iron artifacts from the blacksmith shop were sent to the Eastern Museum Laboratory in Washington, D. C., for long overdue preservation treatment. [139]

Lack of proper artifact storage space was another perpetual problem. Because of the limited storage in the temporary museum, the Walla Walla Chamber of Commerce offered space in their basement during Kennedy's administration. Then, in 1964, the artifacts were transferred to the new visitor center. However, this building also lacked proper space. The collections were divided between a small storage room in the corner of the maintenance garage and a corner of the visitor center office area. [140] This inadequate situation was remedied in 1984 with the completion of the artifact storage room, effectively solving a problem that has lasted 34 years.

Once proper storage space was secured, the next step in managing the collection was recataloging the artifacts, originally catalogued during the late 1960s by Park Historian Robert Olson some 20 years after the excavations. To meet this need David T. Wright and Associates prepared the park's "Collections Management Plan" in 1986 which currently guides management of these cultural resources. Cataloging the park's historic photographs is only one of the many recommendations being implemented. A workplan developed in 1987 outlines specific goals for the next five years including use of the National Park Service computerized cataloging system. [141] Quicker access to information is just one of the benefits of this system. Roger Trick, Chief of Interpretation and Resources Management, has stated that knowledge about the Whitmans could be increased:

What we have . . . is a time capsule [of the Whitman story] . . . but it's really kind of disappointing how few researchers have come to use the collection and that's because it really hasn't been very useable . . . . There's a few masters theses and probably a couple of doctoral dissertations sitting in the artifact room [waiting to be written]. [142]

This data-entry project rivals any previous cataloging effort for complexity. Once completed, it will effectively bring Whitman Mission's artifact storage and access system out of a history of neglect and into a future of accessibility.

The long-needed but long-delayed attention to the park's artifacts reflects management's new awareness of this important cultural resource. The same concern is being shown to the natural resources which also received little attention in the past.