Idaho Historical Museum: A Kid-Friendly History Lesson in Boise
The Idaho Historical Museum is the first place you see at the main entrance to Julia Davis Park on Capitol in downtown Boise. How’s this for a parenting strategy: “We’ll visit the zoo (or picnic in the park) afterward, but only after we spend an hour in the Idaho Historical Museum!”
If it works, you may be surprised to find the kids want to spend more than an hour inside—and so will you. Exhibits focus on aspects of state history that can light up a child’s eyes.
Greeting visitors at the entrance is a statue of history’s most famous native Idahoan, even though the state didn’t exist when she was born. That would be Sacajawea, the Shoshone woman who was an indispensable navigator and interpreter on the Lewis and Clark expedition. Her story is told inside the museum.
Start with the “Story of Idaho” area, which takes you chronologically through state history. It begins with a display of Native American arrowheads, up to 12,000 years old. Next are artifacts from each wave of immigrants who arrived: explorers; fur traders; Jesuit and Mormon missionaries; miners and lumberjacks.
The Lewis and Clark expedition is the focus of another section, which includes representations of the flora and fauna specimens they discovered while passing through Idaho. While the expedition opened up the West for the settlers who followed, it’s less well-known that they were eager to document the region’s plant and animal life.
Next you’re surrounded by century-old cowboy saddles—including four that the kids can sit on—and racks of historic arms. Cowboys, Indians, explorers and guns: that should be enough to attract your child’s attention. Meanwhile, you may be more interested in the authentic formal dining room, kitchen and parlor—and an 1880s bar.
One large gallery is set aside for temporary exhibitions. Check the website for what’s coming up.
HelloBoise Tip: Right next to the museum is the pioneer village. Although it’s maintained by the museum, there’s no admission. The buildings include an authentic log cabin and former mayor Thomas Logan’s house, both from the 1860s, and the 1880s Richard C. Adelman House. Inside the Logan House’s three rooms are exhibits tracing the history of Boise.
Posted on May 5, 2011 by Bob Cooper
