The Mary Richardson Walker Chapter, National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution, NSDAR or DAR, has been a Chapter since 1924. We were founded under the historical name of Mary Richardson Walker, a missionary pioneer in Washington state. We are located in Kelson-Longview, Washington. Contact our Regent to find out more about our chapter, and our Registrar to learn about membership.
What is the NSDAR/DAR?
The Daughters of the American Revolution, DAR, has a 130-year history with nearly two million members since its founding, and a record of extensive public service. Its historic National Headquarters houses notable collections, and the organization supports activities at local, national, and global levels.
Founded in 1890, the organization’s mission is to promote education, historic preservation, and patriotism. These guiding principles ensure the DAR remains strong and relevant.
What is the NSDAR/DAR?
The Daughters of the American Revolution, DAR, has a 130-year history with nearly two million members since its founding, and a record of extensive public service. Its historic National Headquarters houses notable collections, and the organization supports activities at local, national, and global levels.
Founded in 1890, the organization’s mission is to promote education, historic preservation, and patriotism. These guiding principles ensure the DAR remains strong and relevant.
Mary R. Walker grave marker, Find a Grave.
Summary: Mary Richardson Walker - Pioneer Missionary
Mary Richardson Walker (1811-1897) was one of the first six women to cross the Rocky Mountains, traveling to Oregon Country in 1838 as a missionary with her husband, Elkanah Walker.
Early Life and Calling: Born in Maine to schoolteacher parents, Mary decided at age 9-10 to become a missionary. She attended Maine Wesleyan Seminary and taught school, but the American Board of Missionaries rejected her application because she was unmarried. After a 48-hour courtship arranged by a mutual friend, she married Elkanah Walker in March 1838 so they could serve as missionaries together.
Journey West (1838): Mary traveled approximately 1,900 miles across the continent while pregnant, riding sidesaddle the entire way. The six-month journey with three other newlywed missionary couples was difficult—marked by harsh conditions, marital tensions, and interpersonal conflicts among the missionaries.
Tshimakain Mission (1839-1848): The Walkers spent nine years among the Spokane Indians at Tshimakain Mission, 25 miles northwest of present-day Spokane. Mary raised six children in a 14-square-foot log cabin with a dirt floor and a leaking roof. Her workdays averaged 16 hours, including cooking, gardening, milking cows, making clothes and shoes, candles, and soap—all while trying to educate her children and serve the mission.
Mission Challenges: Despite their efforts, the Walkers struggled with language barriers and cultural differences. In nine years, not one Spokane Indian converted to Christianity. However, the missionaries did help pave the way for American westward expansion.
Later Life: After the Whitman Massacre in 1847, the Walkers relocated to Forest Grove, Oregon, where Elkanah farmed and preached. Mary had two more children there and also adopted one. They donated land to help establish Pacific University. Mary died in 1897 at age 86.
Mary kept a detailed 125,000-word diary documenting her experiences, which has become a valuable historical resource. Her writings reveal her frustrations, perseverance, and the harsh realities of frontier life. She also pursued interests in science, taxidermy, and watercolor painting despite limited time and her husband’s lack of support. Her diary, preserved at Washington State University, provides crucial insight into the lives of missionary women in the nineteenth-century American West.
References:
Find A Grave: www.findagrave.com/memorial/154655747/mary-walker
Summary from "Diary of Mary Richardson Walker "- Elkanah and Mary Richardson Walker Papers, Washington State University Libraries Special Collections, Pullman, Washington (125,000-word diary with entries from 1833-1897)
The content contained herein does not necessarily represent the position of the NSDAR.
Hyperlinks to other sites are not the responsibility of the NSDAR, the state organizations, or individual DAR chapters.
Images are courtesy of Mary Richardson Walker Chapter, NSDAR, or permission granted by photographer
This site was last updated on March 17, 2026
Contact Webmaster
Hyperlinks to other sites are not the responsibility of the NSDAR, the state organizations, or individual DAR chapters.
Images are courtesy of Mary Richardson Walker Chapter, NSDAR, or permission granted by photographer
This site was last updated on March 17, 2026
Contact Webmaster
