Interfaith Works of Thurston County has shared the results of their year-long review of documents relating to Squaxin Park (formerly Priest Point Park), and more specifically the activities of the Oblate Mission that once was at the park. We are grateful that Interfaith Works has agreed to share the results of their research with us. Below are several of the documents shared with the Society and Museum, and published with their permission. 

Introductory report about the scope of the project: Fr. Ricard and Squaxin Park History Project

Oblates of Mary Immaculate Timeline

Translations of letters to and from the mission and missionaries. Translation notes: the translator has chosen to translate the French word “sauvage” as “savage,” sometimes in quotation marks. The word sauvage should be taken to refer to the Indigenous people encountered by the missionaries and is not meant to imply anything about their attitudes or conditions. “Oregon” refers to Oregon Territory: what is now Washington State was once part of Oregon Territory. 

List of letters translated from the French (four linked below)

Cast of participants in Historical Research project

Translation of the January 1849 letter from the Rev. Fr. Chérouse, Missionary from the Congregation of Oblates of  Immaculate Mary to the Rev. Fr. Superior Provincial from the same Congregation in Oregon.

Translation of the May 28, 1849 letter from Fr Cherouse to Father Ricard

Translation of the July 5, 1849 letter from Fr. Cherouse to Father Ricard

Translation of the May 1860 letter from Father Payol to Rev. D’herbomez