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1912 Center

This 1912 high school has been repurposed into a community center featuring an art gallery and spaces for many kinds of arts and cultural experiences. It is on the National Register of Historic Places, and has been gradually renovated, from the bottom up since 1997.  Two new rooms on the second floor are opening soon. The 1912 Center is a favorite place for weddings, public meetings, art classes and more!

Where & when
412 E. Third Street, Moscow, ID 83843
Weekdays 9am-6pm, weekends by event
Tuesday and Thursday are senior lunches
Plaza concerts on Monday evenings in the summer
Winter markets six times per year

Contact
Call 208.669.2249
Email 1912center@gmail.com
1912center.org
Find them on Facebook

*Night time exterior photos shared courtesy of David Harlan

Appaloosa Museum

Located in the heart of the Palouse Country, home of the Appaloosa, the museum preserves, studies & exhibits objects & information that illustrate the history of the breed. The Museum is designed to provide a self-guided exploration of exhibits that include a theater; a hands-on activity center; a library and archive featuring books, magazines, and videos. Exhibits themes range from the early evidence of spotted horses in art and literature, to the relationship between the Appaloosa and the Nez Perce, to the highlights of the modern Appaloosa Horse Club.

The Appaloosa Museum welcomes school groups, home-schoolers, and youth groups such as 4H and scouts. Their standard program lasts around one hour and includes a short lecture followed by an exploration of the museum in small groups where students answer questions that help them delve into the history, present and future of the Appaloosa.

Where and When
2720 W Pullman Rd, Moscow, ID 83843
Monday-Friday, 9am-2pm, Saturday 11am-3pm

Contact
Call (208) 882-5578
Email museum@appaloosa.com
www.appaloosamuseum.com/
Find us on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube

Bovill Opera House

Believed to have been built in the first decade of the 20th century, the Bovill Opera House served for five decades as the entertainment and social center for the town of Bovill and its surrounding communities. Although used primarily as a “moving picture hall,” the Bovill Opera House hosted dances, performances, as well as public hearings and gatherings. In the 1930s the upstairs was transformed into a miniature golf course and later used as a roller skating-rink. While there is a metal sign readings “Bovill Historical Museum” it was apparently never used as a museum on a consistent basis. The building is no longer open to the public.

412 2nd Avenue Bovill, ID 83806

Coeur d’Alene Casino, Hotel, Spa, Gift Shop & Cultural Tours

At Coeur d’Alene Casino, you’ll experience the very best of traditional tribal hospitality and surround yourself with tribal culture, too. Book a cultural tour to learn the traditions of the native people of the rolling hills of northern Idaho. Experiences include bicycling along the path of an ancient trail or learning a traditional artisan craft like Plateau basketry. The gift shop features Native American jewelry, and all around the resort there is native artwork on display, with notable works by Coeur d’Alene artist Leanne Campbell, as well as Navajo artist Jeremy Salazar and Colville artist Smoker Marchand. One of the resort’s lobby areas features a public room with traditional Coeur d’Alene regalia and basketry, with a short film about the history of the tribe. Cultural dinners include traditional food, storytelling, dancing and drums.

The resort offers over 300 rooms and suites, a full service spa, and a scenic setting that beckons you to explore. Golf, take a boat cruise on the lake, hike, bike, and adventure!

Where and When
37914 S Nukwalqw St., Worley, ID 83876
Open every day from 7AM–3AM

Contact
Call 800.523.2464
cdacasino.com
Find us on Facebook and Instagram

Cordelia Lutheran Church

Historic Cordelia Lutheran Church is the oldest Lutheran building in Idaho (established in 1883). Visitors welcome. It is available, without charge, for picnics, weddings, vow renewals, and family gatherings.

Where and When
1501 Danielson Rd. Genesee, ID 83832

Contact
email cordeliachurch@gmail.com
cordeliachurch.org
Find us on Facebook

Empire Theatre

Check the website for shows by local and touring performers. From Marimba bands to Country and Western, comedy, plays and movies, there is something for everyone throughout the year.

Where and When
126 S. Crosby, Tekoa, WA 99033
Check online Calendar for scheduled events

Contact
Call 208.643.3764
Email tekoaempiretheatre1@gmail.com
tekoaempiretheatre.com
Find us on Facebook

First Indian Presbyterian Church

Located on the first Kamiah town site in East Kamiah, the Rev. and Mrs. Henry T. Cowley organized the First Church on December 25, 1871, with Hol-Lol-Sote-Tote (Lawyer) as the first Elder. In the summer of 1873, the government built the present church. The Rev. Henry Spalding spent 1872 and 1873 doing church work here during the construction. Sue McBeth had charge of the Presbyterian Mission at the time that the First Church was built. Her sister Kate McBeth joined her in 1879. The church and cemetery is still in use today and stand in quiet dignity at the original location on Highway 12.

Season: all, Hours: call

Chamber: 935-2290

518 Main St Kamiah, ID 83536

Harrison Historic Downtown District Tour

Step back in time with this guided walking tour that takes you through the history of Harrison, a once thriving mill town that had 9 sawmills within a one-mile radius. This tour introduces 20 National Historic Registered buildings, including: the E.C. Hays & Sons Grain Elevator, the L.O.O.F. Hall, Star Lodge, the Crane House, and the Mill Boarding House, which is currently a B&B.
A brochure is located at the Crane House Historic Museum.

208-689-3111

201 Couer d’Alene Ave, Harrison, ID 83833

Harvest Moon Restaurant

The historic Harvest Moon has been a small-town friendly dining establishment for over 50 years, serving great scratch made food to the surrounding farming & agricultural communities and people passing through.Built in 1905 and 1928, the building itself has a colorful past, housing a beauty and barber shop, pool hall, saloon, grocer, ice cream confectionary parlor, an early pharmacy, and a livery stable in the back. The first beloved town Doctor Clanton and his wife lived in the apartment upstairs.

We hear that everything served is big and delicious.  Monster burger, giant stacks of pancakes and pizzas as big as tire!

Where and When
20 South First Street, Rockford, WA 99030
8 am-9 pm Monday-Saturday
8 am-8 pm Sundays

Contact
(509) 291-4313
harvestmoonsaloon.com

 

Historic Rosalia

An easy and worthy detour from Highway 195 in southeastern Washington is the town of Rosalia.  It’s the gateway to the Palouse Scenic Byway for starters and driving in from the southern highway exit takes you right under one of the iconic railroad bridges that Rosalia is known for.  Built in 1915, these bridges are on the National Historic Register and are understandably popular with photographers.

Stay on the business loop into town for a short cruise or walk down Main street and look for Fast Freddy sitting in his 57 Ford Fairlane parked in front of a retired gas station that now serves as the current Mayor’s “hobby shop.” Freddy is a hit at Halloween!

Another historic gas station, still known to locals as the “Texaco Station,” was restored to its original glory and turned into the Rosalia Visitor Resource and Interpretive Center. Exhibits and interior amenities are getting an upgrade so the Center is closed for now, but if you are looking for a historical experience, you are in luck!  City Hall hosts a museum on its second floor and the Steptoe Battlefield State Park is at the edge of town.

Where and When
Fast Freddy is parked at 704 S. Whitman and the “Texaco Station” is at 533 S. Whitman. You can drive or stroll through anytime.  City Hall Museum is at 110 W. 5th street and is open from 9 – 3, M-F.

Contact
Call 509.523.5991
Email clerk@rosaliatown.org
townofrosalia.org

 

 

Historical Hughes House Museum

Explore the Hughes House Museum for a glimpse into the history of St. Maries. Enjoy photos, antiques, and artifacts that depict early life in St. Maries and northern Idaho as you wander through this log cabin.

Where and When
528 Main Ave. St. Maries, ID 83861
Please call for information concerning hours of operation, as the museum is open on a volunteer-available basis.

Contact
Call 208.245.3212
visitidaho.org

 

 

 

McConnell Mansion Museum

The McConnell Mansion is a free community museum that shares the stories of some of Moscow’s earliest and most interesting residents. This Victorian home was built in 1886 for William J. McConnell’s family, before he became the third governor of Idaho. Later, the Adair and Jackson families made their home at 110 S. Adams Street. The final private owner, Dr. Frederic Church, gifted the home to Latah County upon his death, to serve as a museum and meeting space for residents of the county.

The Latah County Historical Society operates the museum and also maintains a research archive across the street at 327 E. Second Street in the Centennial Annex.

Where & When
110 South Adams, Moscow, ID 83843
Museum: Tuesday – Friday, 1-4pm; some Saturdays
Centennial Annex: Tuesday – Friday, 8am-4pm

Contact
Call 208.882.1004
Email lchslibrary@latah.id.us
latahcountyhistoricalsociety.org
Find us on Facebook & Instagram

Monastery of St. Gertrude

The Center for Benedictine Life at the Monastery of St. Gertrude is an active Benedictine community of vowed religious, oblates, a cohousing community, employees, and those seeking to deepen their relationship with God. The sponsored ministries include Spirit Center, which features online and in person retreats and programs with themes of Benedictine spirituality and the arts, as well as concerts. The Historical Museum at St. Gertrude provides an in-depth look at not only the history of the monastery, but of the Camas Prairie, with a gift shop featuring items handcrafted by the Benedictine sisters and local artisans. The family-friendly Inn at St. Gertrude is a bed and breakfast offering genuine hospitality flavored with monastery-made bread, jam and desserts. Enjoy a leisurely walk through the gorgeous, forested landscape as part of your visit, as well. Learn more at www.stgertrudes.org.

Where & When
465 Keuterville Rd., Cottonwood, ID 83522
Museum information: Monday-Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. — and admission is $6 and $3 for students. Ages 6 and under are free.

Contact
Call 208.962.3224
Email creative@stgertrudes.org
stgertrudes.org
Find us on Facebook & Instagram

Museum: Call 208.962.2050
Email museum@stgertrudes.org
historicalmuseumatstgertrude.org/

Inn information
Office hours: 8am – 9pm
Call 208.451.4321
innatstgertrude.com

 

Moscow City Hall

This historic building, Moscow’s first post office and later a community event center, just celebrated its 100 years. This building is a good example of federalist architecture with multi-paned windows, terra cotta trim, and brick decorations. The interior includes oak woodwork, terrazzo floors, red and white marble, and dential and cornice molding. Part of the second floor is home to the Third Street Gallery.

Where & When
Hours of Operation: Mon – Fri 8 am – 5pm.
206 East 3rd Street, Moscow, ID 83843
Contact
Arts Department Manager Megan Cherry
https://www.ci.moscow.id.us/230/Third-Street-Gallery

 

 

Moscow’s Historic Downtown District Walking Tour-Street Scenes-Addition

Moscow’s Historic Downtown walking tour introduces the many architecturally and historically significant buildings on Main Street. There are 60 buildings in total on this tour that where built between 1888 and 1853. Included in this tour are the Moscow Hotel, Kenworthy and NuArt Theatres, McConnell Maguire building, and the Browne Block.

Contact: Moscow Historic Preservation Commission
https://www.ci.moscow.id.us/431/Historic-Preservation-Commission

Begins 102 S. Main Street, Moscow, Id 83843

Nez Perce National Park Visitor’s Center

Learn about the Nez Perce people and their incredible history. One of 38 sites included in the National Park.

Where & When
39063 U.S. Hwy 95 Lapwai, ID 83540
Winter hours 8:30 am – 4:00 pm; Summer hours 8:00 am – 5:00 pm
Contact
208.843.7009
http://www.nps.gov/nepe/historyculture/the-spalding-site.htm

 

Nez Perce Tourism

Itooqanaawit  – Live It!

Nez Perce Tourism welcomes you to experience a true sense of place with Nimiipuu, which translates as “The People.” Nez Perce Tourism is a business that respectfully echoes the past and present Nimiipuu culture to include the following; it’s people, lifestyle, heritage, landscapes, music, dance, art/craft, historical sites, museums, cuisine, pow wow, spiritual beliefs and philosophy (respect for all things).

Nez Perce Tourism offers the only tours created to connect you to Nimiipuu culture through interactive storytelling, song, drum and dance. From river beds to mountain tops, Nez Perce Tourism offers land and water journeys that give insight into the Nimiipuu way of life. Every Nez Perce Tourism experience is customized with the importance of introducing and respecting Nimiipuu traditional and cultural values. Each tour is designed to be educational and transformational, as the sacred landscape and voices of Nimiipuu ancestors echo beyond your visit.

NP Tourism’s Nez Perce Traditions gift shop in downtown Lewiston also offers an opportunity to experience the art and beauty of Nimiipuu culture. See examples of what is available there on the Traditions Facebook page.

Where and When
The gift shop and cultural center is at 800 Main Street Suite #4, Lewiston, ID 83501
Open 10-6, Tuesday – Saturday

Contact
Call (208) 790-8873
Email nezpercetourism@gmail.com
nezpercetourism.com
Find us on Facebook

Paradise Creek Brewery – Historic Post Office Building

Paradise Creek Brewery – Downtown Restaurant is located in Pullman’s first Federally built Post Office Building which was built in 1930. The building served as Pullman’s post office until 1975, when a new post office was constructed. The Old Post Office subsequently hosted various businesses, including a movie theater, a bakery, and a gun store. In 2002, a new owner began restoration of the building, leading to its National Register of Historic Places listing in 2003.

Where & when
245 SE Paradise St., Pullman, WA 99163
Tuesday – Thursday 11:30am-9pm
Friday and Saturday 11:30am-11pm
Sunday 11:30am-9pm
Closed Mondays

Contact
Call 509.339.6894
paradisecreekbrewery.com

Perkins House

James Allen Perkins came to the area in 1870, when he was 29 years old. He and Thomas Smith traveled from Waitsburg to set up a sawmill at the suggestion of Anderson Cox, who speculated that the valley along the South Fork of the Palouse might make a fine location for a new settlement. They proceeded to build a log cabin with timber hauled from Walla Walla. Both Smith and Perkins staked out property. The two men split the valley, Perkins taking the northern part. He purchased a pre-emption on 160 acres at $2.50/acre. The line separating the two parcels ran east to west and later became Last Street.

Where & When
Open Saturdays + Sundays 10am – 2pm, may be rented for special events
623 N Perkins Avenue Colfax, WA 99111
Contact
(509) 397-2555

Potlatch Historical Society

The Potlatch Historical Society keeps a self-guided museum in the basement of Potlatch City Hall and contributes to the exhibits within the WI&M Depot. The archives are located on the second floor of the Depot by appointment only. They have an ever growing collection of Potlatch Idaho and North Latah County related subjects and share these on social media.

Where & When
Open by appointment only.
185 Sixth Street Suite 209, Potlatch, ID 83855

Contact
Call (509) 595-7684
potlatchidaho@gmail.com
Find us on Facebook and learn more about Potlatch on our community history page, complete with oral histories, digital projects, and more ways to explore the history of our company town.

Steptoe Battlefield State Park Heritage Site

This four-acre day-use park commemorates a battle between U.S. Army forces led by Colonel Edward Steptoe and several Native American tribes from eastern Washington that occurred in 1858.

The battle was considered a significant victory for the eastern Washington tribes. Later that summer, however, Colonel George Wright returned to the area with nearly 700 heavily-armed soldiers and defeated the tribes, effectively ending their resistance in that region of the territory.

Where & When

Summer 6:30 a.m. – dusk
Winter 8 a.m. – dusk

S. Summit Loop, Rosalia, WA 99170

Contact

(509) 337-6457

parks.state.wa.us/591/Steptoe-Battlefield/

Find us on Facebook and Instagram.

White Spring Ranch Museum and Archive Library

White Spring Ranch is listed on the National Historical Registry and was the homestead of early settlers in the wheat producing Palouse area south of Moscow Idaho. John Lorang and Mary Gesellchen Lorang created a successful farm and they and three generations of the family preserved all its history from its founding in 1885 to the present day. Thousands of artifacts are in the archive library collection. The museum is supported by grants and donations and by students and faculty from Washington State University and the University of Idaho.

With a minimal budget of grants and donations, we have become a gathering site for students, artists and volunteers with all kinds of skills to restore the: 1878 Log cabin, c.1880’s Curio cabin, c.1873-1904 Historical Farmhouse and 160 years of letters, journals, books and photographs into an onsite and online library. Learn of the farming history of Idaho and details of American life for the last 160 years.

Where & When
1004 Lorang Rd Genesee, ID
Sundays and Tuesdays, 1 p.m. to sunset. Other times by appointment.
Contact
208.416.1006
whitespringranch.org
Find us on Facebook

Whitebird Battlefield, Nez Perce Land

You’ll want to get information about the battlefield at the Nez Perce National Historical Park Visitor’s Center in Spalding and then drive an hour to the site, located 15 minutes south of Grangeville, ID. The view from the top of the Whitebird Grade is one of the most spectacular sights in Idaho.

When & Where
Nez Perce National Historical Park
39063 US Hwy 95
Lapwai, ID 83540-9715
Contact
(208) 843-7001
http://www.nps.gov/nepe/historyculture/white-bird-battlefield.htm

Whitman County Historical Society

Whitman County Historical Society (WCHS) offers historic tours, location rental and educational programs at four sites in the area. Co-located with Perkins House Museum, a Victorian home built by James and Jennie Perkins in 1886. WCHS purchased the home in 1973 for $13,900 and it has been fully and lovingly restored. Not just a museum, however, the house can be rented by the public for weddings and meetings! Travel the county and visit the other three sites managed by WCHS.

Where and When 
WCHS & Perkins House – 623 N Perkins Ave., Colfax, WA 99111
Pullman Depot – 330 N Grand Ave, Pullman, WA
Chatters Print Museum – 117 E Main, Palouse, WA
Holy Trinity Chapel – 105 E Alder, Palouse, WA.
See website for hours, which vary by location.

Contact
Call 509.553.9729
Email wchsdirector1@gmail.com
whitmancountyhistoricalsociety.org
Find us on Facebook

WI&M Historic Train Depot

The Historic WI&M Depot was the first commercial structure in the Company Town of Potlatch. Built in 1906, it was purchased by the Washington, Idaho & Montana Railway (WI&M) History Preservation Group (HPG) in 2001. The nonprofit spent 15 years restoring the structure that is now home to shops, offices, a museum, and regular events in the freight room (which also can be rented by the public).

Tour the Depot and museum, absorb the area’s unique heritage, then choose from local history books, art, clothing, and crafts in the shops. The HPG also hosts an Annual History Day and Speeder Rides from the Depot on the 2nd weekend in July.

Where & when
185 6th St. Potlatch, ID 83855
Hours: Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm
Contact
Call 208.875.1357
Email hpgpres@wimryhpg.com
wimryhpg.com
Find us on Facebook

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