Exploring a Museum for Island Park

I had the opportunity to accompany several members of the Island Park Historical Society on a tour of several communities’ museums and community centers last week. The two day trip was sponsored by Fremont County and organized by Tamra Cikaitoga, Fremont County Parks and Recreation Director. Board members B.J. Hultz, Ann Kuck, Dennis and Ronnie Kennedy accompanied Susan McKenna (Forestry Technician, Forest Service), Tamra and me on the trip.

We toured the community centers in Leadore, Challis, Moore and Howe. These were mostly community event centers incorporating a large event hall and a kitchen. Some included libraries and historical displays. It was informative to see what small communities could build with the combination of community support and government grant money.

We also were able to visit the Sacajawea Interpretive Center and the Lemhi County Museum in Salmon, as well as the Land of the Yankee Fork Museum in Challis. Of all the locations that we visited, the Lemhi County Museum was perhaps the most relevant to the needs of Island Park. The curator, Hope Benedict gave our group a private tour and shared her passion for Idaho’s history. She schooled us on the importance of maintaining climate control for the exhibits, as well as the operation and marketing of a successful museum. Since Salmon and Island Park share several historical similarities, I found it easy to envision an Island Park museum while surrounded by the historical objects of Lemhi County.

The Island Park Historical Society has a decision to make this year. A trust was set up for a museum several years ago containing approximately $200,000 of donated funds. There are currently two site offers for a museum. The Zollingers have offered to donate property South of Elk Creek Station for the construction of the museum. Recently Glade Gunnell has offered to build a 3,600 sq. foot open horseshoe-shaped mezzanine (balcony) overlooking the sales floor of the new Island Park Building Supply. He intends to begin construction this fall. In exchange for the $200,000 dedicated for the museum, the space will be leased to the Historical Society rent/utility free for 100 years. Both offers are time sensitive.

The board members have a lot to ponder. There is a rich history in Island Park and the longer the community waits to construct a museum, the more historical artifacts are dispersed or destroyed. If you have an opinion on which direction the board should take, I suggest that you join the Island Park Historical Society. Take an active part in advising the board members. The board is made up of devoted individuals that share a love of Island Park and its history. They deserve our input, our support and our gratitude.