• Why visit Whitman Mission NHS?
• What is available?
• When should you take your field trip?
• Whom to call...
• How much time do you need for your visit?
• Where is Whitman Mission?
• Where can you learn more about Whitman Mission?
• What about Fort Walla Walla?
• Safety and Emergencies
• Rules for Students
• Guidelines for Chaperones
• Planning Worksheet

Why visit Whitman Mission NHS?

In 1836 Dr. Marcus and Mrs. Narcissa Whitman crossed the United States from New York to "Oregon Country" with Henry and Eliza Spalding and William Gray. Narcissa and Eliza became the first white women to cross the Rocky mountains. The Whitmans set up a mission at Waiilatpu, where they intended to teach the Cayuse how to read and write, how to farm, and about the Christian gospel. In 1843, Marcus Whitman helped guide the first wagon train to take wagons all the way to the Willamette Valley. Tragically in 1847, rumors, cultural differences, and mis-communication led to the deaths of the Whitmans and eleven others by several Cayuse after a measles outbreak had decimated the tribe.

The events of 1836 to 1847 here at Whitman Mission played a significant role in American and Cayuse history in the Pacific Northwest. It is an excellent place to learn about the Cayuse and other plateau Indians, and the missionary movement in the Northwest, and the early Oregon Trail. One of the reasons this site is such a valuable educational experience is that this is where the Whitman Mission was actually located. When you wander the grounds you are retracing the steps of the Whitmans, the Cayuse, and countless Oregon Trail emigrants.

What is available?

There are several options for your class during your field trip to Whitman Mission:

• RANGER PROGRAMS:
  • Introductory Talk with Ranger: We request that all school groups listen to this 10-15 minutes talk that includes a short introduction to the Whitman Mission story and the National Park Service, and rules to keep our park and students safe.
  • Cayuse Cultural Demonstration: A ranger discusses the Cayuse culture at the time the Whitmans arrived in the area as well as their culture today. Allow at least 20 minutes.
  • Oregon Trail Cultural Demonstration: A ranger discusses what it was like to be an emigrant to Oregon, the length of the trip, and what should and should not be taken. Allow at least 20 minutes.
    
  • Pioneer Cultural Demonstration: (sometimes known as the "Spinning Demonstration"). A ranger discusses how emigrants were self-sufficient. Includes a demonstration on the spinning wheel. Allow at least 20 minutes.
    
• FILMS:
  • See an introductory 10-minute slide show, "The Whitman Saga." This can also be sent to schools on videotape for viewing before a field trip. It is available in English and Spanish.
• GROUNDS and MUSEUM (self-guided, see On-Site activities section):
  • Visit the Mission Grounds where the Whitmans' buildings once stood, and where the foundations are still preserved under the grass. Allow 20 minutes.
  • Visit the Great Grave, where the Whitmans and the eleven other people killed by the Cayuse are buried. Then walk up the hill to the Memorial Shaft, erected in 1897 to honor the Whitmans. Retrace your steps to the trail at the base of the hill and visit Alice Clarissa's memorial. Allow 10-20 minutes.
  • Walk the Oregon Trail, where a reproduction Oregon Trail wagon rests on restored ruts along the route of the earliest years of the Oregon Trail. Allow 5-10 minutes.
  • Visit the Museum, which houses exhibits on the Whitmans, the Cayuse, and American culture of the mid-19^th century. The exhibits include original artifacts of the Whitmans, emigrants, and Cayuse. Allow 5-25 minutes (depending on whether or not students do the worksheet).
  • Have students work on activity sheets provided in this guide to focus their learning during the trip.

   

When should you take your field trip?

The best time to come is when the Whitman Mission story fits into your class's curriculum. Schools or other organized groups may visit any time of year. However, we request that all groups call ahead so that we don't have too many students at once. Most schools come mid-April to Mid-June; if you would like to come at this time, PLAN AHEAD, and call for reservations at least two months in advance. We encourage school groups to take advantage of the nice weather and uncrowded days of September and October.

Whom to call…

Whitman Mission National Historic Site accepts reservations for school groups throughout the year, from 8:00 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. seven days a week. Please call (509) 522-6357 (please note that phone calls work much better than mail or e-mail requests as we frequently have many questions for the teacher). Please have available the following information ready before you call:

1. Date and time preferred, and an alternate
2. Number of students in group (estimate)
3. Number of adults in group (estimate)
4. Name of School/Group
5. Grade or age level
6. School address, including Zip code
7. School phone number
8. Group leader WHO WILL COME on the field trip
   
9. How much time you have to spend at the site.
   
10. Which ranger programs you want
    
11. Any special considerations (such as students with mobility impairments) or topics of study (such as: the class has been studying John C. Fremont or the Sagers).

How much time do you need for your visit?

This will vary greatly depending on the number of students and the type of activities. At a bare minimum, a group of 30 students should plan on one and half hours for the movie, introductory talk, and a self-guided tour of the grounds. In general plan on 30 minutes for the introductory talk and movie, 45 minutes or more outside, and at least 15 minutes for the museum and sales areas. Add 30 minutes for each presentation of a cultural demonstration; maximum audience size for each demonstration is 30 students. If students are doing the worksheets or other projects, you may need additional time. Rangers can help you estimate your time needs and decide among activity options.

Where is Whitman Mission National Historic Site?

Whitman Mission NHS is 7 miles WEST of Walla Walla, Washington off Route 12.

Where can you learn more about Whitman Mission?

We have a very extensive expanded website with a great deal of information about the Whitmans, the Cayuse, and the Oregon Trail, as well as links to related sites. The website includes a teachers' guide in the Learning Place section. If you have further questions, feel free to call us at (509) 522-6357.

What about Fort Walla Walla Museum?

We are not affiliated with the Fort Walla Walla Museum Complex in Walla Walla. However, many groups that visit Whitman Mission also visit Fort Walla Walla Museum the same day. To schedule a field trip there, please call: (509) 522-7703.

Safety and Emergencies

The best way for kids to stay safe is to follow the rules and listen to their leaders' directions. In case of emergency, rangers are trained in first aid and CPR and have first aid kits available. Ambulance service is from Walla Walla, 7 miles away. We recommend that each class also brings its own first aid kit and information about students with any special medical conditions.

TELEPHONES: there is no pay phone at the park. The park phone is available for emergency purposes only. Bring a cell phone if you will need to make calls. If you need to be reached at the park for emergency purposes, our number is (509) 522-6360.

Rules for students:

While students are visiting, we have rules to help keep them and the park safe. They include but are not limited to:

1. No food, drinks, or chewing gum indoors.
2. No climbing on indoor or outdoor exhibits such as the mannequins, wagon, and fences.
3. Stay on the path in areas of native grasses.
4. No collection of anything in the park, including living or dead plant and animal matter and geologic or archaeological items.
5. Use the trash cans to dispose of all garbage.
6. No harassing, harming, or feeding the wildlife.
7. Please walk while on the trail up and down the hill.
8. Do not touch exhibits in museum.
9. Do not lean on or write on top of museum cases.
10. Be respectful of each other, of the rangers, of your chaperone and teacher, and other visitors.
11. Any other applicable rules from your classroom.

Guidelines for Chaperones

(See the chaperone guidelines worksheet in the "Additional Resources" section)

1. Keep a list of all of the students in your group (including notes on any students with special needs).
2. Know the rules for students.
3. Be aware at all times where your students are located.
4. Know what your day's schedule is.
5. Know where the class first aid kit is.
6. Know your teacher's name.
7. Keep control of students — remove students who are disruptive during programs.