Handiwork: Celebrating American Craft

By Rogers Miles
Board Director and Chair of the Development and Marketing Committee


The Kirkman House Museum has grown far beyond its beginnings as the home of one remarkable Walla Walla family. Today, it serves as a steward of the region's shared history, preserving not only Kirkman family heirlooms but also the many treasures entrusted to the museum by generations of local residents.

That continuing story is celebrated in Handiwork, the museum's final exhibition of the 2026 season. On display from September 25 through October 18, the exhibit showcases quilts, coverlets, and examples of lace making generously donated to the museum—objects that reflect both extraordinary craftsmanship and the lives of the families who created and preserved them.

The exhibition is part of Handwork: Celebrating American Craft 2026, a nationwide initiative of Craft in America commemorating the nation's Semiquincentennial. Across the region, museums are joining the celebration with exhibitions highlighting the creativity and artistry that have shaped American communities for generations.

Regional participants include Maryhill Museum, the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center, and the Columbia Gorge Museum, each presenting exhibitions that celebrate American craftsmanship and cultural heritage. Like the Kirkman House Museum, all three institutions offer complimentary admission to members of the North American Reciprocal Museum (NARM) Association, encouraging visitors to experience the rich artistic and historical resources found throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Whether admired for their beauty, their technical skill, or the stories stitched into every thread, the objects featured in Handiwork remind us that the museum's collection continues to grow through the generosity of the community. Each donated piece preserves another chapter of Walla Walla's history for future generations.