The Whitman's First House

This photo shows the cellar of the first house when it was excavated in 1948

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Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits

In 1836, the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions (ABCFM) recruited Marcus and Narcissa Whitman, Henry and Eliza Spalding, and William Gray to spread Christianity in what was then known as Oregon Country. They arrived here that fall after a long journey overland.

With winter fast approaching, Marcus enlisted help and began building a house. Unlike missionary practice at the time, the Whitmans were unwilling to live in the style of their weyíiletpuu hosts. Most weyíiletpuu families at that time lived in large lodges or smaller tipis. Because tamaalwit shaped where weyíiletpuu families lived throughout the seasons, these homes were mobile and allowed them the freedom to travel. The permanent and immobile adobe structure built by the Whitmans was in sharp contrast to the local lifestyle.

The First House would not be the last house. The home was built very close to a channel of the Walla Walla River. Though the channel was already beginning to dry up at that time, flooding became an issue and the Whitmans quickly began planning a second, larger house. Today, you can still see the slope of the old river channel to the left of the First House foundations. To the right are apple trees similar to what the Whitmans had planted here.