Museums History
Idaho

Browse Museums

Appaloosa Museum
Moscow, Idaho

History

Evolution of Appaloosa

Bicentennial Historical Museum
Grangeville, Idaho

History

Historical artifacts

Blaine County Historical Museum
Hailey, Idaho

History

Political Button collection

Bonner County Historical Society Museum
Sandpoint, Idaho

General, History, Historical Society, Library

Located in Lakeview Park, the museum feature four exhibit rooms dealing with the history and development of Bonner County. Visitors take a trip back to the era of Native Americans, fur traders, steamboats, and railroads. The historical research facility is available to visitors.

Canyon County Historical Museum
Nampa, Idaho

History

Railroad of western Idaho

Cassia County Historical Society and Museum
Burley, Idaho

Culture, General, History, Historical Society

County history, reading & research

Clearwater Historical Museum
Orofino, Idaho

History

Local history, mining, logging

Gem County Historical Society Museum
Emmett, Idaho

Culture, History, Historic House, Historical Society

* Early 1900's Store, includes 800-plus square-foot McNealy Library and Archives. * Hunt House - contains collection from Gov. Frank Hunt, who served as Idaho's governor 1901-1903. * Little Red School House - a one-room schoolhouse. * The Bunkhouse - a tribute to the cattle & sheep industry, plus taxidermy displays. * The Blacksmith Shop. Sponsors annual "River Through Time" re-enactment event the first weekend in October.

Hess Heritage Museum
Ashton, Idaho

Archaeology, Botanical Garden, Children's, General, History, Historic House, Military, Natural History, Park

The Hess Heritage Museum is a restored, 250-acre pioneer farm in the Upper Snake River valley. Exhibits include the outdoor implement park; an implement barn containing historic farm implements and a mural depicting the history of agriculture; a hanger exhibiting the evolution of land, snow and air travel; a carriage house; a one-room schoolhouse; a wildlife exhibit and a blacksmith shop. A Social Hall contains the Village Green, depicting the 1890s and 1940s lifestyle. The Pioneer Home, complete with its summer kitchen and pump house, has been restored with authentic 19th century vintage furnishings. The military exhibit in the Village Green has been expanded to include the Revolutionary and Civil War periods.

Idaho Black History Museum
Boise, Idaho

Art, Culture, History, Historic House

The Idaho Black History Museum, founded in 1995, builds bridges between cultures, breaks down barriers and provides a safe haven to explore the African American experience through the education of all people on African Merican history, culture and art with emphasis in Idaho. The 'Invisble Idahoan: 200 Years of Blacks in Idaho' is the current exhibit sharing the contribution of African Americans to Idahos history.

Bannock County Historical Museum
Pocatello, Idaho

Culture, History, Historical Society

The Bannock County Historical Museum houses exhibits, objects, and records relating to Bannock County and Pocatello's history. Exhibit themes include railroad history, early medical practices, general store, Victorian era parlor, Buddhist Shrine, early photography studio, Prohibition era police evidence, early fire-fighting, local printing history, historic ranching and farming tools, a Holladay Overland Stage Company stagecoach, horse tack, Shoshoni and Bannock ethnographic photographs and objects, local archaeological specimens, our unique donor wall, a research library open to the public, and much more!

Bingham County Historical Museum
Blackfoot, Idaho

History, Historic House

The museum, once the social center of Blackfoot, was built in 1905 by John G. and May Brown. He brought his family from Tennessee, complete with servants, chauffeur and Chinese cook to live in the mansion.

Boise Basin Museum
Idaho City, Idaho

Cemetery, Church, History, Historic House, Historical Society, Park

frontier memorabilia

Cambridge Museum
Cambridge, Idaho

History

The Cambridge Museum provides information on the area's history from the arrival of the first settlers in 1869 through the 1930's. Displays focus on geology and farming relics, Indian life and pioneer days in Cambridge.

Captain John Mullan Museum
Mullan, Idaho

General, History, Historic House

Established in the old Liberty Theater, this museum illustrates the history of Mullan with exhibits of historical furnishings, vintage clothing, photographs, newspapers, mining relics and local school, sports, firemen, and drug store memorabilia. The museum features information on the building of the Mullan Road in 1859-1862, which connected Fort Benton, Montana to Fort Walla Walla, Washington. Swimming in an Olympic-size pool and food service are available across the street and a park with children's play area is adjacent. Biking trail starts one block from museum.

Central Idaho Cultural Center
McCall, Idaho

Culture, History

historic bldgs, steam engine

Council Valley Museum
Council, Idaho

Culture, History, Historical Society

Local history/old time replicas

Gooding County Historical Society, Museum and Research Center
Gooding, Idaho

History, Historical Society

We are seeking to have a comprehensive history of the area. We are looking to include a history of each town in the county. We are collecting histories of the inhabitance of each town. The Basque were an important part of the building up the communities and they are be included Frank Gooding, Governorand Senator, has a vistion for this area and we want to show what that was.

Historical Museum at St. Gertrude
Cottonwood, Idaho

Church, Culture, History

View special exhibits, including the stories of the Benedictine sisters, the Nez Perce people, and fascinating local characters such as Polly Bemis and Buckskin Bill. Visit a replica of the original attic museum began by Sister Alfreda Elsonsohn, celebrated Idaho historian and foundress of the Historical Museum at St. Gertrude. Join us for our annual Raspberry Festival fundraiser, October Lecture Series, and other fun and educational family events.

Idaho Military History Museum
Boise, Idaho

General, History, Historical Society, Military

Covering a broad spectrum of military history, via photos and artifacts, you will see Gowen Field as it was during World War II as well as Idahoans in the Philippine Insurrection through Operation Iraqi Freedom/Enduring Freedom.

MUSEUM CONFERENCES

Public Lands Alliance 2025 Convention and Trade Show

February 2 - 6, 2025

Las Vegas, Nevada

Public Lands Alliance 2025 Convention and Trade Show

Sunday, February 2 - Thursday, February 6, 2025

Westgate Las Vegas

Las Vegas, Nevada

Hosted by: Public Lands Alliance

The Public Lands Alliance Convention and Trade Show brings together nonprofits, land management agencies and companies to learn, network and engage on public lands issues. The 2025 Convention and Trade Show will take place Sunday, February 2 - Thursday, February 6, 2025 in Las Vegas, NV

Connect with peers, explore the latest in public lands products, and return inspired with new strategies and resources for success in conservation and visitor engagement

Our annual Convention and Trade Show (PLA) is the premier gathering for leaders in the public lands sector to network, gain essential tools, and explore products that enhance the visitor experience and support conservation, preservation, and enrichment efforts.

For more information, please call 301-946-9475.

Georgia Association of Museums 2025 Conference

February 5 - 7, 2025

Milledgeville, Georgia

Georgia Association of Museums 2025 Conference

Wednesday, February 5 - Friday, February 7, 2025

Ina Dillard Russell Library Georgia College & State University

Milledgeville, Georgia

Hosted by: Georgia Association of Museums

The Whole Story Is The Meanin

“For the fiction writer himself the whole story is the meaning, because it is an experience, not an abstraction.”― Flannery O'Connor, Mystery and Manners: Occasional Pros

Join us in Milledgeville, Georgia, for the annual Georgia Association of Museums conference as we explore the profound wisdom of Milledgeville author Flannery O'Connor’s words. In a world where narratives intersect and perspectives diverge, this theme invites proposals that delve into the essence of storytelling within museums and cultural institutions. Our work in the museum field requires us to look at stories from as many angles and perspectives as possible so that we might do our best to tell the “whole story.

Through thought-provoking discussions, interactive workshops, and engaging presentations, we will uncover the layers of meaning embedded within every artifact, exhibition, and historical account. Just as O’Connor masterfully crafted narratives that resonate with universal truths, museums hold the power to illuminate the whole story behind many objects, artworks, and cultural phenomena

We will examine how museums can embrace inclusivity, diversity, and authenticity in their storytelling practices. By acknowledging multiple perspectives and amplifying marginalized voices, we can enrich our understanding of the past and present, fostering empathy and connection within our communities.

Small Museum Association 41st Annual Conference 2025

February 17 - 19, 2025

Gaithersburg, Maryland

Small Museum Association 41st Annual Conference 2025

Monday, February 17 - Wednesday, February 19, 2025

Gaithersburg Marriott Washingtonian Center

Gaithersburg, Maryland

Hosted by: Small Museum Association

The annual SMA conference attracts more than 300 museum professionals, board members, and volunteers from a wide variety of small museums. They attend sessions on topics ranging from collections and education to staffing and board issues.

We offer a large Museum Resource Hall and plenty of informal networking opportunities for you to talk with (and get ideas from!) other small museum professionals and volunteers

Theme for 2025: Make It Happen!!!

Is there an exhibit, program, or fundraiser that you've been talking about doing for years? Do you feel stuck because of procrastination, lack of board support, or insufficient funds? It's time to take action

At SMA 2025, small museum professionals will share their tips and tricks of how they made it happen!

2025 California Association of Museums Conference

February 18 - 22, 2025

San Fransico, California

2025 California Association of Museums Conference

Tuesday, February 18 - Saturday, February 22, 2025

San Fransico, California

Hosted by: California Association of Museums

CAM is hard at work planning for the 2025 conference, set to take place from February 18–22, 2025 in San Francisco. We look forward to highlighting best practices and innovative ideas from California's museum community

The California Association of Museums is excited to continue offering in-person programming for 2025. We will not be requiring proof of COVID vaccination/s, but highly encourage vaccination and boosters. For the health and safety of our colleagues, masks are also encouraged (but not required). Capacity and spaces will be thoughtfully considered in the planning of this event.

For more information, please email programs@calmuseums.org.

2025 Tennessee Association of Museums Conference: HOPE

March 11 - 14, 2025

Knoxville, Tennessee

2025 Tennessee Association of Museums Conference: HOPE

Tuesday, March 11 - Friday, March 14, 2025

Crowne Plaza hotel in Knoxville, TN

Knoxville, Tennessee

Hosted by: Tennessee Association of Museums

Tennessee museums are full of hope. But how are they turning hope into reality

With the Semiquincentennial quickly approaching in 2026, the state's museum community if approaching a turning point, and is now a great time to take stock and develop a vision for the future

The Tennessee Association of Museums' 64th Annual Conference in Knoxville will challenge the state's museums to think ahead and share their hopes, the best practices and strategies for turning those hoes into realities, and the rewards that come from aspirational thinking

The 2025 TAM Annual Conference will take place at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Knoxville, TN.

For more information, please call 615-495-3354 or email hawkins@aaslh.org.

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