Pioneer madam portrayed at Ft. Walla Walla

WALLA WALLA - Fort Walla Walla Museum will bring back a favorite Living History character, the turn-of-the-century madam Josephine Wolfe, for a Living History performance on May 5 in the Pioneer Village, weather permitting. Diane Somerville will portray the famed Walla Walla brothel owner and philanthropist.

In 1859, Wolfe, a 23-year-old German woman, established one of Walla Walla's first and longest-running brothels at 11 W. Alder Ave. With miners and speculators pouring through town, there was no shortage of clientele.

"Dutch Jo" lived in her business parlor until she died in 1909. Described as charming and capable, she also had a reputation as a ruthless businesswoman.

She insisted that the women who worked at her brothel had proper health care. The women kept half their earnings, and the other half went to the house. Wolfe contributed generously to local charitable causes and provided a place for sick and injured firefighters to recuperate. She was known to have purchased cemetery plots at Mountain View Cemetery in Walla Walla for both firefighters and prostitutes so that they might have decent burials when they died.

Her business did well. City records show she paid county taxes in 1908 of $11,464. Unfortunately, no photographs or portraits of Wolfe exist, as she stipulated the destruction of any in her will.

Living History is a volunteer troupe of historical personalities that fills Sunday afternoons at 2 p.m. with performances all season long, from April through the end of October. Characters speak of their life and times and encourage questions from the audience.

The Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for seniors and students, $5 for children ages 6-12, and free for children under 6. Museum members receive free admission all year. Memberships start at just $35. Visit our calendar with upcoming events at fwwm.org/all events. For more information, call 509-525-7703 or visit fwwm.org. The Museum is in Fort Walla Walla Park at 755 NE Myra Road, Walla Walla, Wash.