Memories of the Tompkins Centennial Farm
We interviewed Ron Tompkins about his family’s farm, founded in 1889 by his grandfather, Richard Tompkins. This dryland wheat farm north of Walla Walla saw many changes in farming methods and was home to the first privately owned grain elevator in the region, which is still in use today by the McGregor Company.
Questions for students: How did Richard get his start farming in Walla Walla County? What is the bulk system, and how does it relate to the elevator and sack sewers? What was done by Ron’s dad instead of plowing, and what is often done today? What was Ron’s favorite part of farming?
The Cook Wagon
This kitchen on wheels served an essential function during the wheat harvest. The cooks and their helpers were up and prepping food to feed crews of fifteen to forty workers. This sustenance gave the laborers enough energy to work long days during the summer harvest.
Questions for students: Why was the cook such an important part of the crew during the wheat harvest? What are some of the factors that made the cook’s job difficult? What are the differences between working in a cookhouse and cooking in a home kitchen?
Sheep Ranching in Eastern Washington
From the late 19th to the early 20th century, sheep ranching was big business in eastern Washington. Sheepherders moved their large flocks to higher elevations in the spring and summer. When they were far away from the ranch, many lived out of sheepherder wagons, like the one on display at the museum.
Questions for students: Why were the sheep moved to different locations each season? What are some of the reasons sheep ranching eventually declined in this region? Why was a sheepherder wagon important for a sheep operation?
Stationary Threshing Operation
This video demonstrates the process of harvesting wheat around the early 1900s. All the machinery on display in building 2 of the museum functioned together to make a wheat harvest possible.
Questions for students: Describe the journey of the wheat from being cut to the thresher and the different machines involved. What was water needed for? How big ere the crews needed for a harvest like this?
Harvesting Wheat with a 33-Mule Team
This video demonstrates the process of harvesting wheat with a horse- or mule-drawn combined harvester. Our Museum’s combine is a 1919 Harris model.
Questions for students: What are the advantages of harvesting with a combine over a stationary threshing operation as in the previous video? How many men were needed to operate the combine an what were their roles? How many acres could a combine harvest in a day?
Early Agriculture: Scythe and Binder
In this video, Museum docent Charles Saranto explains the development of agriculture in the region in the mid-1850s, demonstrates the use of a scythe, and explains how a mechanized binder eventually replaced it.
Questions for students: Why was the development of agriculture important in this region? Why did people harvest grain? Would you rather use a scythe or a binder? What were the benefits of using a binder over a scythe to harvest green grain?