It's time once again for you to get out your parasol and loafers and come down to Fort Walla Walla Museum’s annual Ice Cream Social! The event will take place on Sunday, August 20. This social gathering celebrates a time when the days passed by at a slower pace, and the local community came together to enjoy the lazy days of summer. There will be entertainment and fun for the whole family. Join us for ice cream and Klicker’s strawberry toppings—free with paid admission! There will be pioneer games, old-time music from the Oregon Trail Band, a Living History performance, pioneer dress-up booth, and bouncy castles for the kids. Also on the grounds will be a collection of vehicles from the Walla Walla Historic Auto Club. Also this year we are happy to welcome the Strictly British Motor Club and their collection. The Ice Cream Social is sponsored by Best Western Plus Walla Walla Suites Inn, Columbia REA, Jumpin Jellybeanz, Klicker Antique & Fruit Store, Opp & Seibold General Construction, and Baskin Robbins.

Don't miss tonight's Museum After Hours talk with Susan Monahan.

This is a wonderful opportunity for everyone to learn more about regional heritage!

Fred Stein invites you to an open discussion about old Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce Indians and the non-signers of the 1863 Treaty. Individuals with interest or information on this topic are encouraged to share.

Frenchtown was located roughly between Touchet and College Place where French-Canadians, often with their Indian wives, settled after working for the Hudson’s Bay Company at Fort Nez Perce, later known as Fort Walla Walla, a trading post established in 1818 at Wallula. The Frenchtown settlement began about 1823, and by the time the Whitmans arrived in 1836, numbered more than a dozen cabins. In December of 1855, following the Walla Walla Treaty Council in June, the four-day Battle of Frenchtown, also called the Battle of Walla Walla, took place in the area. The fighting resulted in the killing of Walla Walla Chief Peopeomoxmox and an end to Indian control of the Walla Walla Valley. In 1876, the St. Rose of Lima Mission and cemetery were established on a portion of the battlefield nearby. The ensemble will feature Rich Monacelli as Hudson Bay Chief Trader William McBean, Sam Pambrun as Hudson Bay Factor Andrew Pambrun, Jeannot Poirot as Father J.B.A. Brouillet, Jean-Paul Grimaud as Louis Tellier and Tom Williams as Sam Black.

Susan Monahan will be at the old fort treating Museum visitors to a riveting talk on the early hotels of Walla Walla—the refined, rowdy, and risqué. Some of Walla Walla’s hotels had distinctive architecture, some survived disasters, and some housed “working” ladies. Visitors will be enchanted by the history of some of our town’s earliest hotels, their celebrated guests, their fascinating stories, and their role in Walla Walla’s history. This Museum After Hours presentation is sponsored by Walla Walla Electric.

Sebastian Colon came to Walla Walla around 1872, one of the earliest Hispanic settlers to arrive in the valley. Born in Spain around 1831, Colon worked in the placer mines of California before coming to Walla Walla. Here he worked as a freight packer moving mail between Boise, Idaho, and Walla Walla. Later Colon opened a restaurant and was eventually nicknamed the “Tamale King of Walla Walla.” Sebastian Colon is portrayed by Victor Trejo.

William McBean was born in Canada about 1807 and came to the Walla Walla region in 1846. He became chief factor in charge of the Hudson’s Bay Company fort at the time of the Whitman Massacre in 1847. He left Fort Walla Walla in 1855 during the Indian wars and later returned to the region with his Indian wife and children. McBean continued to reside in Walla Walla and was active in assisting various Catholic institutions until his death in 1872.

Music was the lifeblood of entertainment in the 19th century. When the work was done, musical instruments were brought out and a songfest began. Traveling musicians were highly celebrated and well-attended. You can enjoy the feel of those bygone days with popular 19th century music played by the Museum's own Oregon Trail Band. As part of a special Living History program, the Oregon Trail Band will perform at 1:30 pm, preceding the day's Living History performance. The Oregon Trail Band is made up of musicians Bob Bohlman, Jerry Wilson, and Lon Ferguson.

Don't miss out on tonight's Museum After Hours! Or our upcoming Pioneer Kids Camp! Museum After Hours: Thursday July 6th @ 5 pm Randall Melton, Collection Curator Tamástslikt Cultural Institute Randall Melton, Collection Curator at Tamástslikt Cultural Institute, will be speaking about the foundation and growth of Tamástslikt Cultural Institute, their current plans to update displays and about the growth in economy and influence of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla while reflecting on the effects of historic trauma. He will also talk about TCI's current temporary exhibit Celilo: Progress vs. Protest, which explores the myriad impacts of the placement of the Dalles Dam and the flooding of Celilo Falls. Tamástslikt is in an incredibly poignant position to provide another voice and perspective to history and today’s world in general, and we hope you can join us for this presentation and discussion. Tamástslikt Cultural Institute tells the story of three American Indian Tribes, the Cayuse, Umatilla and Walla Walla, who for more than 10,000 years inhabited the Plateau region of the Pacific Northwest, U.S.A. They welcomed and assisted the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1804-1806 and Clark documented the contacts in his journal. Some 40 years later, the Oregon Trail cut through the heart of their homelands. Tamástslikt brings the story alive with a 14,000 square foot exhibit space that incorporates artifacts, photography, video and interactive multi-media in world class exhibits. Its Museum Store sells American Indian arts and crafts, as well as books and music and uniquely designed Pendleton Woolen Mills Indian blankets. It is located five minutes from Interstate 84, four miles east of Pendleton, Oregon. For more information: 541-966-9748 or www.tamastslikt.org. Tamástslikt Cultural Institute is owned and operated by the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation. Museum After Hours is a free monthly presentation series to be held on the last Thursday of every month. We provide a space for community congregation, discussion, and debate. The event touches on topics ranging from regional culture and history to the roles and responsibilities of museums within our community. The talks will take place in the Entrance Building at 5:00pm from March through October and 4:00pm from November through February. Pioneer Kids Camp Tuesday, July 18, 2017 830 am – 345 pm Let kids see, learn, and explore at the Museum this summer with the Pioneer Kids Camp! This fun and educational day camp features guided activity stations that allow children ages 9 through 11 to experience life the pioneer way. Kids will have a chance to experience the life of a real early pioneer with this exciting day camp! Featuring activities like blacksmith chores, tin punching, and old-time musical instrument workshop, children will learn about life in the past. They’ll even meet 1840s fur trader William McBean for a special group presentation. The cost of the camp is $30 ($25 for Fort Walla Walla Museum members). The fee includes lunch and an official souvenir. Pre-registration is required. The deadline for registration is July 11. Be sure to sign up early as limited space is available and spots fill up quickly! For more information, call the museum at 509-525-7703 or email programs@fwwm.org. Pioneer Kids Camp is sponsored in part by Coffey Communications and the Yancey P. Winans Trust.

July 3 at Fort Walla Walla Museum: The Walla Walla Historical Auto Club is here with a collection of antique cars. We are one of the stops on their Fourth of July Antique Car Tour. Museum guests will be able to view the cars today with regular Museum admission. Come by and check them out!