Research Locations & Holdings

Idaho

NPS - Nez Perce National Historical Park
P.O. Box 1000
Lapwai, Idaho 83540
(208) 843-7001
(208) 843-2001 (fax)
www.nps.gov/nepe

The Nez Perce National Historical Park Research Center is operated and maintained by the cultural resource division of the Park and is located in the Visitor Center at Spalding, Idaho.

The research center supports the primary themes of the Park, including:

1. Nez Perce culture - prehistoric and historic
2. Nez Perce contact with missionaries and the Christian influence on their life patterns
3. The Nez Perce War of 1877

Secondary park themes also covered in the research center collection include:

1. The effect of European and American commercial ventures on the Nez Perce and their country
2. The relationship of these factors to westward expansion in the United States
3. Natural resource management of areas associated with Nez Perce history

It is the policy of the National Park Service that its natural and cultural resources will be made available for educational and scholarly purposes. The research center collection, which includes the Nez Perce NHP Archives and Library collections, is available through on-site use to assist in the study and interpretation of Nez Perce history and culture. The Archives collection contains Park administrative history records and donated manuscript collections, including a database of approximately 4,000 images available on a digital image viewer.

The library collection consists of approximately 3000 bibliographic items including books, theses, dissertations, and reports. Also included are reprints, audio/video tapes, microforms, subject and biographical files, maps, and periodicals.

The Cultural Resources Division will assist researchers and visitors in using research center resources. Appointments for on-site use are needed because of the small size of the facility and varying staff schedules. The NPS online library collection, including Nez Perce NHP, is at www.library.nps.gov/webvoy.htm

The research center is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. by appointment only. Please contact us for appointments or special accommodations.

Park Archivist
Nez Perce National Historic Park
Big Hole National Battlefield
P.O. Box 1000
Lapwai, ID 83540
(208) 843-7042
nepe_library@nps.gov

Clearwater Historical Museum
P.O. Box 1454
315 College Ave.
Orofino, Idaho
(208)476-5033
Interesting holdings pertaining to the designation of the Lewis & Clark Canoe Camp as an historical site as well as the push for designation of the Lewis & Clark Highway. Other information pertains to the Lapwai Indian Agency and Spalding Mission. Most information pertains primarily to Clearwater County. Several Nez Perce artifacts are on display, as well a few Nez Perce photos. A portion of the Starr Maxwell papers are housed here.

Latah County Historical Society
327 E. 2nd St.
Moscow, Idaho 83843
(208)882-1004
Holdings include oral histories. Also contains information about the north-south highway in Latah and Nez Perce counties, family histories and personal narratives of the 1877 conflict, and material related to tourism on the Nez Perce Trail in the 1930's. The subject headings of Nez Perce holdings include( Culture, History, Language, Legends and Myths, Missions, Social Life, Reservations, Trail Marker, and Wars. These items vary as to type, length, and content.

University of Idaho
U of I Library
Rayburn Street
Moscow, Idaho 83844
(208)885-6559

The University of Idaho library contains vast resources pertaining to numerous Nez Perce-related topics. The inventory list runs 38 pages. Because of the extensive size of this collection, please contact library archivist Terry Abraham for specific information.

Washington

National Park Service
Northwest Regional Office
909 First Avenue
Seattle, Washington 98104
(206)220-4160
Materials on hand amount to approximately 1 cubic foot related to proposals for NPNHP sites not implemented.

Federal Records Center
6125 Sand Point N.E.
Seattle, Washington 98115
(206)526-6501
24-record series from this location pertains to federal, state, and local management of NPNHP sites within a date range of 1946-1990.

National Archives Branch, Seattle
6125 Sand Point N.E.
Seattle, Washington 98115
(206)526-6507
Holdings consist of approximately 50 cubic feet of materials related to NPNHP sites in Idaho, Washington, Oregon, and Montana. Material pertains primarily to Bureau of Indian Affairs - Lapwai Agency, as well as U.S. Forest Service records of timber within NPNHP.

Washington State University
Holland Library
Pullman, Washington 99164
(509)335-6272
www.wsulibs.wsu.edu/index2.htm
WSU's holdings include the extensive collection of Nez Perce historian, Lucullus V. McWhorter, as well as various materials related to the Nez Perce Indians. In addition, they hold a small collection pertaining to the Colville Indian Agency. Miscellaneous photos available. Contact Manuscripts, Archives and Special Collections.

Montana

Blaine County Historical Society
P.O. Box 1176
Chinook, Montana 59523
(406)357'2590
The museum houses an interesting collection of artifacts from the Bear's Paw Battlefield and offers an excellent audio/visual program on the battle.

Nez Perce National Historical Park
Big Hole National Battlefield
P.O. Box 237
Wisdom, Montana 59761
(406)689'3155
www.nps.gov/biho
The Big Hole National Battlefield has a small but thorough collection relevant to the history of the 1877 conflict, as well as Nez Perce history and culture. Resources pertain to military personnel, Nez Perce participants, and local history. Photograph collection contains approximately 500 prints. Work is planned to develop an administrative history archives.

Montana State Historical Society
P.O. Box 201201
Helena, Montana 59620
(406)444'2681 (archives)
(406)444'2681 (library)
Extensive collection of material pertaining to NPNHP sites in Montana and Idaho, including manuscript accounts of the 1877 war and other historical events, U.S. government documents relating to Nez Perce land claims, USFS Bitterroot NF documentation, and records of Montana's role in Native American relations, including the Nez Perce.

Oregon

Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation
Cultural Resources Protection Program
P.O. Box 638
Pendleton, Oregon 97801
(541)276-3629
Located on the Umatilla Indian Reservation at Mission, this small facility houses an impressive collection of research material. Eighteen archives categories include Management Plans, Cultural Resource Information, Ethnographic Research, Historic Information, Sensitive Areas, Reports on Ceded Areas, Treaty Related Rights, Traditional Plants/Foods, Linguistics, CTUIR legends, Rock Art, and current topical files. Primary focus of the holdings here is on archaeological sites and information. In addition, an extensive oral interview collection is housed onsite. Contact Jeff Van Pelt, Cultural Resources Program Manager.

Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation
Tamástslikt Cultural Institute
Mallisa Minthorn - Archival Coordinator
72789 Hwy. 331
Pendleton, Oregon 97801
(541)966-9748
This collection is housed in the Tamstslikt Cultural Institute. Collection contains material on the Cayuse, Umatilla, and Walla Walla tribes, including a copy of the 1855 treaty. A bibliography of all three tribes is being developed. The Institute houses materials related to the Oregon Trail and its impact on local tribes. They have an extensive oral interview collection with over 200 transcripts and tapes. Holdings also include videos, film, newspapers, microfilm, books, and maps covering a broad spectrum of tribal history.

Bureau of Indian Affairs
Umatilla Agency
P.O. Box 520
Pendleton, Oregon 97801
(541)278-3786
Has no holdings pertaining to the Nez Perce or related sites. They do have an extensive collection of material related to the Umatilla, Cayuse, and Walla Walla.

Wyoming

Yellowstone Park Library & Archives
NPS - Yellowstone National Park
P.O. Box 168
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming 82190
(307)344-7381 ext. 2261
YPL&A holdings pertinent to the Nez Perce consist primarily of library materials. Research materials include a thorough collection of major and minor newspaper articles related to the Nez Perce flight through Yellowstone Park. For more information contact Lee Whittlesey.

Pennsylvania

Presbyterian Historical Society
425 Lombard
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19147
(215)627-1852
Repository contains significant records pertaining to the Spalding Mission and successors. Also contains Nez Perce artifacts. Contact Margery Sly, Deputy Director, Presbyterian Historical Society.