It’s that time again! Each August, the museum likes to celebrate summer with a good old-fashioned family event, games, Living History, and ice cream! After the last year, we all deserve a treat. The Ice Cream Social will be our first large-scale outdoor event of the year, and we are grateful to be able to invite the community out for some well-deserved fun in the sun.

New this year is an interactive Oregon Trail game! Bring your team and survival skills to make it from Independence, Missouri, all the way to Fort Walla Walla. In this kid-friendly game, there will be calamities to overcome, fun activities to complete, and a photo opportunity at the end. From packing your wagon with supplies to overcoming obstacles along the way (snakebite remedy, anyone?), kids and adults alike will have a lot of fun learning about travel on the Trail. The museum’s Oregon Trail game was inspired by the popular computer and card games, and support for its development and implementation comes from the Yancy P. Winans Trust.

At 2 pm we will have a Living History performance by Lewis McMorris, stagecoach line operator, portrayed by museum intern Mark Bogely. Also on site will be Hudson’s Bay Company trader William McBean, who will be bringing some of his fascinating trade goods and stories to share.

There will be music by bluegrass group the Trifocals at 11 am and 3 pm, plus classic cars on display at noon. Baskin-Robbins will be bringing their cart with multiple flavors again this year, and tickets for a free scoop will be issued with your admission (don’t forget that members get in free!).

We hope you will come out and join us for this fun, family-friendly event. We would like to thank our event sponsors Baskin-Robbins, Klicker’s Berries and Antiques, and the Port of Walla Walla.