Where history, heirlooms and heartfelt stories bring Walla Walla’s past to life.
Kirkman House celebrates USA250
As the Kirkman House Museum prepares to join the city and the country in celebrating the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, it is good to remember that the couple who built this house were here in Walla Walla to celebrate the 100th anniversary in 1876.
William Kirkman and his wife, Isabella, had arrived in Walla Walla in 1871, the same year William became a naturalized citizen of the United States. Born in Lancashire, England, William had spent the past twenty years sojourning abroad in Canada, Australia, and the United States. Now he had cast his lot with the United States to enjoy life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
The Italianate mansion he began building for his family eight years later testified to the wisdom of his decision to become an American citizen and settle in Walla Walla.
The Kirkman Family
William and Isabella Kirkman's journey from England and Ireland, through gold rushes and cattle ventures, led them to build their refined 1880 brick Italianate-style home in Walla Walla. With their surviving children—William Jr., Fanny Ann, Myrtle Belle, and Leslie Gilmore—the family made the mansion a center of both grandeur and everyday life.
Plan your visit
Wander through authentically restored Victorian rooms, explore exhibits that chart local history, and share in community events that bring the past to vibrant life.
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Spring & Fall:
Saturday & Sunday: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.Summer:
Friday—Sunday: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.Closed mid-December to mid-March
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Adults: $10
Children (7–17): $5
Free for Kirkman House members, NARM members, children 6 and under, and veterans
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The museum is conveniently located at 214 North Colville Street, just a short walk from downtown Walla Walla’s shops and restaurants.
There is plenty of free street parking on both Colville and Cherry Streets.
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The Walla Walla Valley is full of historic things to see and do. Here's a small list to sample from: