Fort Walla Walla Museum
Fort Walla Walla Museum
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Fort Walla Walla Museum is a walking museum located on 17 acres, and is a must-see for visitors. As the primary caretaker of the cultural and historical heritage of the Walla Walla Valley, the Museum features four large exhibit halls housing thousands of artifacts, a pioneer village, a 33-mule team hitched to a wooden combine, and more. The Entrance Building features several galleries, including one for rotating special exhibits, and an admission-free Museum Store filled with books and heritage gifts. On the lower level of the grounds is a Pioneer Village with 17 buildings, many of them furnished, for guests to explore. There are more than 40 living history performances every year that take place in the village. The Museum also hosts additional activities, classes, and events—like the free Museum After Hours presentation series, which features thought-provoking topics on everything from history to conservation. The Fort Walla Walla Museum provides a memorable experience for the whole family, and you’re sure to learn something new during every visit. Come see what’s new at the old fort today!
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
317 reviews
Excellent
186
Very good
106
Average
22
Poor
2
Terrible
1
roadtripswc
United States323 contributions
Jun 2020 • Family
We drove all the way for a day trip based on their website hours, unfortunately it was not updated and the museum was closed. We arrived and saw employees working in there but all doors and the outdoor areas were closed for visitors. What a disappointment.
Looking from the fence, the ground was well maintained and it could be a nice learning experience. Hopefully it will reopen soon. Wish the administration use some common sense since this is an outdoor walking museum and should not have any issue with social distancing.
Looking from the fence, the ground was well maintained and it could be a nice learning experience. Hopefully it will reopen soon. Wish the administration use some common sense since this is an outdoor walking museum and should not have any issue with social distancing.
Written June 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dear roadtripswc,
We are sorry that this was your experience. We are still closed but hope to be reopening as soon as Walla Walla County hits phase 3 of Washington's Safe Start plan.
We now have made it more clear on our website that we are indeed closed at this time.
If you are interested in visiting us again, please reach out to me at jennifer@fwwm.org ir 509-525-7703.
Written June 22, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Rainier72
Lynnwood, WA765 contributions
Aug 2021
Fort Walla Walla Museum is part of Fort Walla Walla Park which is another great park in Walla Walla. There is an indoor and outdoor section of this museum and both are worth going through. There are 5 different buildings with a variety of Walla Walla history topics. Agriculture, the penitentiary, and of course the military history are just a few of the subjects in the buildings. The 33 mule team and the fire and jail building were some of my favorite things I saw. The outdoor Pioneer Village is fun strolling through too. There are some buildings you are used to seeing like schoolhouses and blacksmith shops. You can also see some not so familiar buildings like an Italian homestead. You can easily spend a well worth couple of hours at this place. The park is well worth exploring too. There are a few well done war memorials scattered throughout. There is also a nice nature trail system behind the museum if you just want an easy stroll. If you're lucky like me, you might just catch a deer. Fort Walla Walla Museum and Park is a must do in Walla Walla.
Written August 30, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you so much for taking the time to review our museum! We're so glad you enjoyed your visit.
Written September 8, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Rainier75
West Richland, WA10 contributions
Sep 2021
This museum is historically very interesting with a lot to see. It's appropriate for younger kids and makes for a fun family outing. Admission is quite reasonable. You can easily spend a couple of hours on this self guided, at your own pace museum. It's definitely worth the visit. Pack a lunch and enjoy the park adjacent to the museum or go to Pioneer Park which is about 15 minutes away.
Written August 2, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Travis M
1 contribution
A delightful museum that is well worth visiting for anyone interested in the history of Walla Walla!
Mar 2024 • Family
Fort Walla Walla Museum has a wonderful, extensive collection of well curated items that range from historical photographs and crafts made by native peoples, to prison shanks and a non-motorized fire engine. All of which brings to life the past of this corner of the world and I highly recommend visiting!
We particularly enjoyed meeting with James Payne, the executive director, who kindly let us explore archival materials related to the Lloyd exhibit. I had learned of letters written by my ancestor, John Calvin Lloyd, which had been donated by genealogist Sydney Gabel, and James took us behind the scenes to see those and related items.
After wrapping up at the museum, we went a few miles up the road to visit the Lloyd family graves in the Waitsburg cemetery and then continued on to the area west of town where they had lived. It was particularly poignant to experience a small connection to the history we'd just been learning about from James and the Fort Walla Walla Museum.
We particularly enjoyed meeting with James Payne, the executive director, who kindly let us explore archival materials related to the Lloyd exhibit. I had learned of letters written by my ancestor, John Calvin Lloyd, which had been donated by genealogist Sydney Gabel, and James took us behind the scenes to see those and related items.
After wrapping up at the museum, we went a few miles up the road to visit the Lloyd family graves in the Waitsburg cemetery and then continued on to the area west of town where they had lived. It was particularly poignant to experience a small connection to the history we'd just been learning about from James and the Fort Walla Walla Museum.
Written March 27, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EasternWA_Pirate
Walla Walla, WA627 contributions
Dec 2019 • Couples
We are relatively new to the area. We'd seen the grounds driving by several times before going. I'm glad we did.
Fort Walla Walla offers a glimpse into the world of what Walla Walla was in the 1800s through the early 1900s.
There are numerous exhibits both inside and out. Weather permitting, the out buildings offer interesting places to check out. Each building is something else and should be seen.
Buying a family subscription allows access to more than just Fort Walla Walla. They are part of a consortium which also includes the Umatilla/Walla Walla/Cayuse Reservation near Pendleton.
Fort Walla Walla offers a glimpse into the world of what Walla Walla was in the 1800s through the early 1900s.
There are numerous exhibits both inside and out. Weather permitting, the out buildings offer interesting places to check out. Each building is something else and should be seen.
Buying a family subscription allows access to more than just Fort Walla Walla. They are part of a consortium which also includes the Umatilla/Walla Walla/Cayuse Reservation near Pendleton.
Written January 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
vagabondodelmondo
Santa Barbara204 contributions
May 2021
Besides the collection of historic objects like furnishings, household objects and clothing in the main building, there is a row of warehouses full of farm implements, wagons and cars plus a large collection of buildings such as schoolhouse, pioneer cabins, etc. on the extensive grounds. There's much more to see here than I expected. Plus the gift shop has one-of-a-kind souvenirs.
Written May 25, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review! We're so glad you enjoyed your museum experience.
Written June 22, 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Patricia W
Richland28 contributions
Oct 2022
Wonderful tour into the past. Very friendly staff.
As you turn into the entrance, there are 2 WW1 Howitzers with a placque that has the names of men who have given their all for their country.
There is an original stagecoach just inside the building. The 'springs' are made of rawhide. I didn't think much about how stagecoaches were made but seeing one in person really opened my eyes.
There is also an original covered wagon. The most I've ever seen before was part of one. Again, seeing how it was made was enlightening.
Weill definitely go there again next year when my niece comes visiting. A hidden gem. So much to see, don't miss any of the outbuildings.
As you turn into the entrance, there are 2 WW1 Howitzers with a placque that has the names of men who have given their all for their country.
There is an original stagecoach just inside the building. The 'springs' are made of rawhide. I didn't think much about how stagecoaches were made but seeing one in person really opened my eyes.
There is also an original covered wagon. The most I've ever seen before was part of one. Again, seeing how it was made was enlightening.
Weill definitely go there again next year when my niece comes visiting. A hidden gem. So much to see, don't miss any of the outbuildings.
Written November 1, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PdxMarc
Portland, OR232 contributions
Jul 2015 • Couples
This is clearly run by a well-meaning bunch of folks, but the permanent exhibits are out of the 1950s and there is virtually NO interpretation, merely "here is a tractor." kind of labeling. The special exhibit on the two World Wars in Walla Walla was a nice bunch of dresses and uniforms, but said nothing about how the wars affected the town. It was mostly vignettes of townsfolk, who we suspect are or were board members...This nice facility deserves more sophisticated fare inside.
Written July 19, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Carol D
DeKalb, IL1 contribution
Mar 2023
Fort Walla Walla was an enormous surprise. I assumed I would find a small, interesting history museum about the town that I could tour in about half an hour. Oh, was I wrong. The museum was fantastic. Lots of history of the locale, supported by excellent exhibits, informative and well researched information and artifacts, an interesting special exhibit, and lots of fun for children to grandparents. The museum is beautifully curated, the staff is so friendly and helpful, and my half hour visit lasted well over two hours. Your will leave your visit with a new understanding of the history of the area, from the original Native American inhabitants, to the soldiers who were sent in by the government to bring order, to the opening of agriculture and wheat farming, and more besides. In addition to the visitor's center, there are a number of exhibit buildings and a small 19th century museum village you won't want to miss. I encourage you to come for a visit. I don't think you will be disappointed.
Written March 23, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Donna S
Boise, ID604 contributions
Nov 2019 • Couples
Excellent history museum from Indian Wars to landing on the moon! Learned a lot about thr area's history. Friendly staff. Forgot to ask them about the unusual trees on the drice up with huge seed pods.
Written November 4, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Deeply and passionately.....this people is amazing
Written May 5, 2019
Yes in the outside park. No inside less service animals.
Written August 27, 2016
Not at this time but there are picnic tables so you can take something with you.
Written October 13, 2016
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