Walla Walla: MAC 100 Stories: A Centennial Exhibition
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On April 30, 1806, the Corps of Discovery "took leave of those honest people the Wallahwallahs," Meriwether Lewis noted in his diary. Other important moments of Western settlement in Walla Walla would follow. Protestant missionaries Marcus and Narcissa Whitman briefly served along this stretch of the Oregon Trail. Five thousand Southern Plateau Indians attended treaty negotiations here in 1855. Although transcontinental rail lines would bypass this agricultural region, its wheat, asparagus and sweet onions are well-known. The Walla Walla Valley is now a designated American wine grape-growing region, distinguishable by its own specific geography and home to more than 100 wineries.
MAC 100 Stories: A Centennial Exhibition is told on the Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture campus in Spokane's Browne's Addition, with additional highlights at 15 sites in Spokane and eastern Washington. The exhibit experience (February 22, 2014 - January 2016) weaves stories and programs about Inland Northwest people, places and events by capitalizing on the MAC's extraordinary collection. www.northwestmuseum.org
Spokane Historical presents 15 regional and city tours in partnership with the Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture and its 100 Stories exhibition.
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Wheat Farming, c. 1909
Since settlement the Walla Walla Valley has been an agricultural center famous for its wheat and onion production. Image L86-48.62 courtesy of the Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture
Horse-drawn Tractor, copyright 1902
This stereo image shows how modern technology was changing the ways in which farmers produced agriculture in the Walla Walla Valley. Image courtesy of Flickr user Tekniska museet under a Creative Commons liscense
Agricultural Technology, 1920s
This Walla Walla farmer, posing in front of his "Best 60" tractor, was one of many who relied on the newest technologies to get the most out of his land and harvests. Image courtesy of Flicker user born1945 under a Creative Commons license.
Whitman Mission
Taken from the top of Memorial Hill at the Whitman Mission, the site has great views of Walla Walla Valley. Image courtesy of Flickr user glennwilliamspdx under a Creative Commons License.
Walla Walla Vineyards
Though the land in the Walla Walla Valley was traditionally used for wheat, onions, and asparagus, the valley today is host to many vineyards and local wineries. Image courtesy of Flickr user thor_mark under a Creative Commons license.