A new exhibit at the Central Washington University Museum of Culture and Environment focuses on early Kittitas Valley history. The display, “Guns, Furs, and Steel: Alexander Ross at the Crossroads,” is now open and reveals what the first English-speaking visitors to the valley experienced in the early 1800s.

Developed with support from a Humanities Washington Program grant, “Guns, Furs, and Steel” traces five days of explorer and fur trader Alexander Ross’ visit to the Kittitas Valley in 1814. Ross is credited with being the first Euro-American to visit the valley.

Members of the Ross party were surprised when they arrived—finding thousands of regional Native Americans who had gathered for a yearly event known as Che-lo-han. They found themselves in a dangerous situation, which could have easily resulted in death had it not been for Ross’ quick thinking.

For the past six months, CWU Professor of Anthropology Patrick McCutcheon, the exhibit’s curator, and Holly Shea, a resource management graduate student, spent time researching Ross’ life and 19th century exploration of the region.

“I had no idea that Ross himself had traveled so many thousands of miles in the region and was so well acquainted with Native American culture and traditions,” says McCutcheon.

McCutcheon, Shea and museum staff members collaborated with several other regional museums to borrow objects for the displays. Excited about the opportunity to contribute, the Kittitas County Historical Museum loaned a beaver trap for the exhibit.

“The beaver trap is a fine example of local craftsmanship,” explains Kittitas County Historical Museum Director Lori Foulke. “We are excited to participate in an exhibit focused on Ross, who penned the first written account of the valley.”

Admission to the CWU Museum of Culture and Environment is free and it’s open to the public. Business hours are Wednesday through Friday from 2 to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The museum is located on the first floor of Dean Hall near the corner of D Street and 14th Avenue. Free parking is available after 4:30 p.m. on weekdays and all day Saturday near Dean Hall.