Name: American Red Cross Blood Drive
Start: 2024-04-29
End: 2024-04-29
Location: Old Idaho Penitentiary

A Letter from the Director

Welcome to the Idaho State Historical Society!

The Idaho State Historical Society continues to build on our over 140-year legacy of preserving and promoting Idaho history. We have grown from our original charge of chronicling the state’s story to engaging Idahoans through inspiring educational services that empower their decision making.

By sharing information and understanding about Idaho, we provide tangible links to the past that illuminate and give context to the present. By stewarding Idaho’s historical collections that resonate with story, we ensure that future generations have a foundation on which to build. By providing access to government records, we continue the legacy of freedoms afforded our state by its guiding documents and citizen action. Historic sites immerse visitors in compelling, authentic learning environments. Through exhibitions, public programs, and purposeful conversations, our state’s story is a beacon for civic engagement.

We have delivered on our promise to preserve and promote Idaho history as a trusted resource. We boldly move forward to serve Idahoans, informed by the spirit of those who came before, inspired to listen, engage, and lift the human spirit.

We hope that you will join us in that endeavor! Please attend a program, experience an exhibition, contribute a meaningful collection item, join as a member or let us know how you would like to be part of the Idaho State Historical Society’s family.

Janet Gallimore
Executive Director & State Historic Preservation Officer

Mission

Idaho State Historical Society preserves and promotes Idaho history.

Vision

Our vision is to make history essential and accessible through dynamic and gratifying services that inspire, enrich and engage all Idahoans.

Values

Customer Service

ISHS is responsive to the needs of its customers
ISHS advances the Agency through innovation
ISHS is seen as a trustworthy resource
ISHS owns customer requests
ISHS exceeds expectations

Stewardship

ISHS collects, preserves, and provides access to State-owned archaeological and historical artifacts, sites, and archival materials
ISHS represents a statewide and national perspective and collects materials to represent all Idahoans

Education

ISHS teaches and promotes essential historical literacy and the historical thinking process through its public programs
ISHS develops programs based on customer needs with focused outcomes

Professionalism

ISHS is committed to making history an essential resource for the people of Idaho through both traditional and innovative services that respond to social needs
ISHS is committed to team unity and mutual respect among its staff, board, partners, and volunteers
We demonstrate genuine passion for work through enthusiasm and excellence through accordance with professional standards.

Agency Overview

The Idaho State Historical Society is a trusted guide through the state’s history and how it has shaped every aspect of our lives, our land, our communities, our government and our people. Created in 1881 and established as a state agency in 1907, the Idaho State Historical Society (ISHS) is an extraordinary system of cultural and historic resources comprised of the Idaho State Museum, Idaho State Archives, Idaho State Historic Preservation Office, Old Idaho Penitentiary and Historic Sites Program.

ISHS preserves and provides access to irreplaceable state-owned historic collections, including prehistoric, historic and state artifacts; photographs, maps, manuscripts and architectural drawings; territorial, county, city, and state government records. ISHS stewards and maintains 61 buildings which include historic and significant structures.

ISHS benefits Idahoans though key programs including Capitol curation and exhibition; records management through the State Archives, operation of cultural facilities of the state including the Idaho State Museum and Old Idaho Penitentiary, and management of the programs under the National Historic Preservation Act, including the National Register of Historic Places Programs.

The Idaho State Historical Society serves over 110,000 people each year through educational programs, inspiring exhibitions, fun events, genealogy and family history, research use, and technical assistance. Annually, over 15,000 school-aged children benefit from ISHS programs and visits.

The Idaho State Historical Society is state assisted and raises more than half of its budget to support services and programs with a mix of fees, public and private grants, memberships, corporations and philanthropic gifts.

A Message From Idaho Governor Brad Little

Whether you’re a student needing educational resources, you’re seeking an inspiring experience, or you’re visiting Idaho from another state, we invite you explore not only Idaho’s rich history but your part in that story, too. The Idaho State Historical Society is a great resource to help Idahoans and visitors understand our history and where we’re headed.

Support Idaho History

There are many ways for you to get involved and support the Idaho State Historical Society. Find grants that promote history in your community, consider volunteering at one of our historic sites, nominate a historic property for formal recognition, or consider becoming a member and help fund essential public and educational programming.

Have you benefitted from and Idaho State Historical Society service or program? Consider sharing your story in your community. Use the Idaho State Historical Society Supporter Toolkit or the ISHS Supporter Letter Template as a guide to help share your passion for Idaho history.