Indian Artifacts on Display

This year's rotating display in the Wilson-Phillips house pays tribute to the Native American, showcasing Indian blankets, beaded items, tools, arrowheads, and more.

Glass display cases are filled with beautifully beaded Indian artifacts, handmade by members of the Cayuse tribe. The items were gifted to the Lloyd family of Waitsburg over their 80 years of friendship with the Indians.

The late Bettie (Lloyd) Chase recalled that the Indians would often show up at their home at dinnertime, causing her mother to prepare more food or to stretch the amount she had made in order to feed more mouths.

Indian blankets adorn walls, shelves and display racks, and a series of Bev Doolittle prints hangs on the south wall.

The north wall is filled with picture frames displaying arrowheads collected by Oren and Iris Bridwell (parents of Anita Baker) as well as some collected by Tom and Anita Baker. Anita has fond childhood memories of hunting for arrowheads, in both the plains of eastern Colorado and the desert areas of southern Oregon with her parents.

"It was in the early 30's – the dustbowl era – and it was something we could do that didn't cost anything," Anita said.

She recalls going hunting after dust storms, when the wind had blown the dirt away, down to the hardpan, and searching for treasures.

"It was quite a wonderful hobby. You got to enjoy the outdoors, it didn't cost any money, you got some exercise, and there was some adventure in avoiding rattlesnakes," she said.

The Indian Artifact display will be open during the Pioneer Fall Festival on Sunday, Sept. 20. There is no charge for admission.