Journey Through the Life and Times of Martha Louise Munger

Day 1: Beginnings in Chicago & Indiana

Morning: Start by visiting historic Chicago, Illinois, exploring the city's early neighborhoods to understand Martha's birthplace and family origins before the Great Chicago Fire.

Afternoon: Travel to Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, Indiana, where Martha received her education, and tour the campus to glimpse the environment that shaped her youth.

Evening: Enjoy a reflective walk along Chicago's lakefront, imagining the city’s rebuilding after the devastating 1871 fire that impacted Martha’s family business.

Day 2: Exploring Dawson City and the Klondike Gold Rush Trail

Morning: Fly north to Dawson City, Yukon; tour the historic cabins along the Klondike River, experiencing the rough conditions Martha endured during the gold rush era.

Afternoon: Embark on a guided hike along a section of the Chilkoot Trail, hearing stories of the treacherous journey Martha undertook while pregnant with her third son.

Evening: Attend a storytelling event or local museum exhibit depicting the harsh winters and survival challenges including the avalanches and fires that threatened early Dawson settlers.

Day 3: Whitehorse & Political Legacy

Morning: Visit Whitehorse, Yukon, where Martha and her husband George Black lived and where he served as Commissioner of Yukon; explore the Yukon Archives to review documents on her political career.

Afternoon: Tour local sites associated with the Canadian Red Cross and other volunteer organizations showcasing Martha's wartime contributions in England during World War I.

Evening: Enjoy a quiet evening in Whitehorse reflecting on Martha’s trailblazing parliamentary career and her role as one of Canada’s earliest women Members of Parliament.

Time and Cost Estimates

• Chicago Historic Tour: 3 hours, $40
• Saint Mary's College Visit: 2 hours, $15
• Dawson City Historic Cabin Tour: 3 hours, $50
• Chilkoot Trail Guided Hike (partial): 4 hours, $75
• Dawson City Evening Storytelling Event: 2 hours, $20
• Whitehorse Yukon Archives Tour: 2 hours, $10
• Canadian Red Cross Historical Sites Tour: 2 hours, $15

Total Estimated Cost: $225

Tips

For travelers wishing to extend the trip, consider spending extra days in the Yukon to fully hike the entire Chilkoot Trail or explore more of Dawson City's Gold Rush history and local culture. Conversely, those looking to reduce the length of their journey can focus on either the Chicago/Indiana historical sites or concentrate on the Yukon experience, skipping the Midwest portion, to save travel time and costs.