Last Edited
A statue of a Sioux Indian who, according to legend, jumped to her death rather than marry a man of her father’s choosing, is the centerpiece of a Winona (Minnesota) park and a city icon. The statue was commissioned in the early 1900’s by a wealthy white businessman to honor the memory of his wife. The much older Princess Wenonah legend exists in many parts of the United States and in other cultures; some claim it dates back to when “Noah was building his ark; ” the story of Princess Wenonah jumping from Maiden Rock (Wisconsin) was furthered by Zebulon Pike through his journals. Other explorers with assorted claims of truth, steamboat captains and writers such as Longfellow Cooper and continued to share the legend.
Photos below: Princess Wenonah statue, Central Park, Winona, Minnesota, Minn.Digital Library. Contemporary photo, current location Windom Park, Winona.
6 - 8 9 - 12 Social Studies/History English/Language Arts Princess Wenonah Legends
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I had no idea this was such a widespread legend, as the items in this wonderful album clearly demonstrate. I wonder if there's a children's book somewhere about the Princess Wenonah story. It makes sense that it became a feature of Pawnee Bill's Wild West Show, complete with romance, beauty, and tragedy - no doubt all wrapped up into a less-than-historically-accurate performance. And to think that the legend was used to sell chewing tobacco!
Edited
YI didn't realize how widespread the legend is until I read the chapter in the book by Farmer. It was thorough with mention of many versions of the legend, literature, and a ton of footnotes.
I think there was a book about Princess Wenonah in a children's series, but I can't remember the name of the series or the publisher.
I did a quick search on Amazon and found a book about Lillian Frances Smith who was in the Buffalo Bill shows. (author Julia Bricklin, 2020) From the description:
Being the best female sharpshooter in the United States was not enough, however, to differentiate Lillian Smith from Oakley and a growing number of ladylike cowgirls. So Smith reinvented herself as “Princess Wenona,” a Sioux with a violent and romantic past.
Mary Johnson
thank you. When I first heard I was blown away. I feel very honored.
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