Sandra Day O'Connor Institute

Before It Became History | Narcissa Whitman: The Letters That Made Oregon Imaginable

Sandra Day O'Connor Institute

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She's often called "the first woman to cross the Rockies" — but that's not quite right. Narcissa Whitman's real legacy is her letters, which made Oregon feel imaginable to eastern readers, even as her mission helped set the stage for tragedy.

Before It Became History, a podcast series from the Sandra Day O’Connor Institute, explores the people and moments that shaped the American story. Each episode looks beyond the legend to examine the decisions, conflicts, and ideas that tested the promise of liberty and helped define our democracy.

This is history before it hardened into memory — and a conversation about what it means for us now.

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