Island Park Historical Society Announcement September 21, 2015

The Island Park Historical Society would like to thank board member Dennis Kennedy and secretary/treasurer Vickie Jones for their selfless service to the organization. We would also like to announce that Linda Albano has been installed as secretary, Cecilia Holmes as treasurer and Michael Bogden as board member. Thanks to all who participated in our annual meeting and Connie’s for the fine food.

Island Park Museum, It’s Now or Never!

The Island Park Community has been debating the nature of a local museum for several years. Every option has been considered: a stand-alone museum, a museum/community center, a museum/library and a museum/hardware store. The possibilities that have been explored were numerous and occasionally overwhelming. Circumstances have reached a critical mass this year. The Zollinger Family’s offer to donate ground for a museum at Elk Creek expires soon. The Gunnell’s offer to house the museum above a new lumber yard expires this fall. Finally, the Forest Service is looking for someone to take over their office building on the Buffalo River, southeast of Pond’s Lodge.

I would suggest that the best location for the museum is the Forest Service Building. The location would limit the initial construction costs, especially construction of a well and septic system. The building is also immediately visible on Highway 20 and has an adequate parking lot. Our congressional representatives could pursue the Federal donation of the building for the museum. Since the Forest Service would like to keep a seasonal office in Island Park, an offer of a one dollar-a-year lease for an office within the building as part of the deal would make the transaction more inviting. Housing the Forest Service and Island Park Museum within the same building makes sense since the experiences of the agency and the residents of the caldera are so intertwined. Not to mention that donating the building would make up for some of those tank traps that the Forest Service carved into our logging roads several years ago.

The Two hundred thousand dollars that the historical society has available to apply towards a museum could be better spent on interior remodeling and exhibits than on basic construction costs.

This Friday, September 18^th at 5:30 pm the Island Park Historical Society will hold its annual meeting at the EMS Building. One of the purposes of this meeting is to discuss a museum location. I suggest that all members attend and if you do not belong to the IPHS, the dues are a whopping $10 for an individual or $15 for a family membership.

On Monday September 21^st at 6:00 pm members of Senator Crapo’s staff will be at the EMS Building to take suggestions about what to do with the Island Park Forest Service Building. If the community wants the building to be the home of the Island Park Museum, attendance is recommended.

Items related to our history are moving off the caldera with great regularly. Soon there won’t be enough artifacts to stock a museum in Island Park if an adequate location is not built to house them. If the community makes the effort now to develop the Island Park museum, they will be thanked by generations yet unborn. 

Yellowstone Country Safety * Thanks for the Road Trip *

 I want to thank the Island Park Historical Society for allowing me to accompany them on the recent museum fact-finding trip and extend my appreciation to Mayor Tom Jewell and Reesa for securing the grant that made the trip possible.

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.

Island Park Historical Society Holiday Festival

Last weekend the Island Park Historical Society hosted the annual Holiday Festival at the Mack’s Inn Playhouse. As Sheri and I entered the event, we were greeted by a very jolly Santa. The auditorium was ringed by booths offering local crafts including photographs, clothing, embroidery, quilting and jewelry.

On the stage at the back of the room, a beautiful Christmas tree was surrounded by gifts offered for silent or public auction. The interior of the room was filled with tables for Saturday lunch which was catered by Café Sabor.

The event was well attended. Prior to lunch, the Historical Society presented patriotic themed quilts to six members of the community who had served in the armed forces. It was an opportunity for the community to honor those who have given of themselves to protect the freedoms that we hold so dear.

The food was great and what we have come to expect from our newest member of the community. I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge Chad Bauer for making the Playhouse available for the annual event.

The Island Park Museum would be a valuable asset. A location to display and tell the story of Island Park would be an important addition to the fabric of the community. The Island Park Historical Society is working hard to make the Island Park Museum a reality. Their success will depend upon the community and its support.

It is Time for the Island Park Museum

Island Park has a rich and colorful history. Mountain men, Indian tribes, pioneers, loggers, merchants and vacationers have all added to the area’s legacy. With the passage of time, many of the visible signs of the early residents’ life here are wiped away in remodels, rebuilds and development. Old family cabins are sold and many artifacts are dispersed or end up in the landfill. 

Island Park needs a museum to collect and house the historical artifacts. With such a large tourist presence, there is little doubt that such a museum would be well attended.    

Last week I had the opportunity to visit with Vickie Jones of the Island Park Historical Society. The subject of an Island Park museum came up. I was pleased to learn that a substantial trust was donated for the purpose of building such a museum and that a parcel of land has been generously offered as well. The delay in construction has been over the scale of the initial museum. It is understandable how an initial project in Island Park would be dwarfed by the large, elaborate visitor centers of Yellowstone Park.

Island Park is a humble place. Residents who made a life here have started very small and slowly built their enterprises. It would be fitting for the museum to begin the same way. Once the doors are open, it will grow as those who love the area visit. Donations of exhibits will be offered when they have a home. The Island Park Historical Museum’s time is now. Let’s say “thank you” to those who built the community by telling their story to all who visit Island Park.