Kirkman House (Walla Walla, Washington) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Kirkman House
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 Location in Washington (state)
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| Location | 214 N. Colville Street Walla Walla, Washington |
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| Built | 1876 |
| Architect | Freeman P. Allen |
| NRHP reference No. | 74001986 |
| Added to NRHP | December 27, 1974 |
The Kirkman House is a beautiful example of a fancy home from the 1880s. This was a time when Walla Walla was growing fast. Many new businesses and grand houses were built. The Kirkman House is one of the most amazing Victorian buildings in the Northwest.
It was built by William Kirkman, who came from Bolton, England in the mid-1800s. He became rich by raising cattle in the American West. The Kirkman family moved into their new home in 1880. Three generations of Kirkmans lived there before the family gave it to Whitman College in 1919.
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The Kirkman House Museum: A Glimpse into the Past
The Kirkman House is now a special museum. It shows what life was like in the late 1800s. You can see how people lived and what their homes looked like. It helps us understand the history of Walla Walla.
Meet William and Isabella Kirkman
William Kirkman came to Boston from England in the 1850s. He planned to sell cloth, but the California Gold Rush caught his attention. He searched for gold in many places. These included British Columbia, Australia, and Idaho.
William also bought cattle in California. He drove them to Boise, Idaho. In 1866, he led a group of pack animals carrying supplies for miners. They traveled from Walla Walla, Washington, all the way to Montana.
William and Isabella's Family Life
William met Isabella Potts in San Francisco. They got married in 1867. They moved to Idaho, where William continued his cattle business. After a short time back in California, they settled in Walla Walla. This became their permanent home.
William Kirkman started a cattle business with John Dooley. It was very successful. Even after a harsh winter in 1881 caused them to lose many animals, they recovered. William also started farming wheat, running two large farms.
William's Family and Community Spirit
Even though his family was still in England, William wrote to them often. He sent letters and sometimes even gold dust to his father and stepmother. Eventually, he convinced two of his brothers, James and John, to move to the United States. John Kirkman joined William's businesses. He also became very active in the Walla Walla community.
William Kirkman was a kind and generous man. He cared a lot about his community. He served as an officer for the City of Walla Walla. He was also on the board for the local prison. William and Isabella strongly supported education. William was on the Board of Education for public schools. All four of the Kirkman children went to Whitman College. William was also a member of the college's board of trustees.
He was also involved in politics. In 1892, he was chosen to represent his area at a big Republican meeting in Minneapolis.
A Sad Journey Home
In 1892, William, Isabella, and two of their children, Fanny Ann and William Henry, traveled. They visited Ireland, England, and other parts of Europe. They saw Isabella's parents and William's relatives. They also shopped for wedding clothes for Fanny Ann's upcoming marriage.
However, on their way home, William Kirkman sadly passed away. He died on the train while traveling through Wisconsin. When the news reached Walla Walla, the flag at city hall was lowered halfway. The local newspaper described his funeral. It said, "The house was crowded with sorrowing friends, as was also the yard and streets surrounding the residence."
Saving the Kirkman House: A Restoration Story
By the late 1900s, the Kirkman House was in very bad shape. Walla Walla was in danger of losing this historic building. In 1977, a group of concerned citizens bought the house. They formed an organization called the Historical Architecture Development Corporation (H.A.D.). Their goal was to save important historic places and buildings in the area.
H.A.D. used the Kirkman House as their office. Eventually, they bought it and worked hard to restore it. They turned it into a museum that shows what the house looked like long ago. In 1982, H.A.D. received an award for their excellent work. This award came from the Washington State Trust for Historic Preservation.
Today, the Kirkman House is owned privately. It operates as a non-profit organization. A group of directors manages the museum. The Kirkman House has been officially recognized as an important historic site. It was added to the American National Register of Historic Places in December 1974.
