Idaho State Historical Society

Exploring Idaho: Franklin's artifacts journey through the 19th century Sitting on the Utah state line, Franklin is the Gem State's first town. When established, settlers debated what side of the state line it was on.

How an Idaho state agency stores decades of old government records and artifacts • Idaho Capital Sun As Idaho shifts away from aging storage facilities elsewhere in Boise, the State Historical Society is building an expanded storage facility.

From June 14–18, 55 Idaho students will represent our state at the National History Day National Contest in College Park, Maryland. Each year, nearly 3,000 students and their families gather at the University of Maryland to celebrate the culmination of a year’s worth of research, creativity, and scholarship.

During this exciting week, students will meet peers from across the nation and around the world, present their projects and the incredible work behind them, and explore the rich history of our nation’s capital. National History Day is more than a competition—it’s a chance for young historians to connect, learn, and showcase the skills they have developed over the school year.

Please join us in wishing our 2026 National Contestants the best of luck and safe travels as they embark on this unforgettable journey!

Thank you to everyone who joined us last week at the Idaho State Museum to celebrate the 2026 Esto Perpetua Award recipients.

This year’s honorees represent the traditions, festivals, organizations, and community celebrations that continue to bring Idaho’s history to life across generations. In this commemorative America250 year, it was especially meaningful to recognize the people and communities preserving local stories, strengthening civic connections, and carrying forward the spirit of Idaho.

Congratulations again to all of this year’s awardees, and thank you for the work you do to ensure Idaho’s history continues to live, grow, and inspire.

Before Smokey Bear became America’s best-known wildfire prevention mascot, campaigns like this carried the message.

“Your Forests. Your Fault. Your Loss.” was inspired by a painting created by artist James Montgomery Flagg for the Cooperative Forest Fire Prevention campaign, part of a broader early 20th century effort to encourage Americans to protect the nation’s forests and public lands as recreation and tourism rapidly expanded.

The poster reflects a time when conservation campaigns relied on direct language and striking imagery to connect personal responsibility with the protection of shared natural resources.

More than a century later, the message still feels familiar. As Idahoans head outdoors this summer, these historic reminders offer a glimpse into how Americans have long understood the importance of caring for forests, trails, rivers, and public lands for future generations.

Before pharmacies became aisles of snacks, greeting cards, and prescriptions, drug stores were some of the most important gathering places in American communities.

Early drug stores evolved from apothecaries where pharmacists mixed medicines by hand using herbs, chemicals, and handwritten formulas. By the late 1800s and early 1900s, they had become neighborhood hubs offering everything from prescriptions and perfumes to soda fountains and lunch counters.

In many towns, the local drug store was part pharmacy, part diner, and part community center. Some of America’s most recognizable soft drinks, including Coca-Cola and Dr Pepper, even got their start at pharmacy soda fountains.

As chain pharmacies, grocery stores, and big-box retailers expanded, many of these classic drug stores slowly disappeared. But for generations, they were places where everyday life happened just as much as medicine.

What Idaho drug store do you remember most from your community?

Photos: 77-69-12 PocatelloStoresDrug(Pixley Drug), 70-105-77-Stores-Drugstores-(Nyall's-Family-Remedies), 76-165-10-Coeur-D-Alene-Stores,-Drug-(Clement-Wilkins), Boise - 1957 - Save-Mor Drugs - 3636 State Street - Okay Foods 3634_Leo J Leeburn_001, Idaho State Archives

Join the team at the Idaho State Historical Society! We are hiring an open full-time classified position for a Maintenance and Operations Supervisor.

The Maintenance and Operations Supervisor plans, directs, and performs skilled maintenance and repair of historic sites and statewide buildings and properties including the State Archives and ISHS Administration located in the Idaho History Center, Idaho State Museum, Bureau of Reclamation building, Table Rock, Historic Assay Building, Old Idaho Penitentiary (OIP) and OIP campus and historic buildings, and ISHS historic sites properties throughout the state. This position will also lead skilled trade areas.

Apply today at history.idaho.gov/careers. This job posting closes June 15.

As Idaho approaches the 50th anniversary of the Teton Dam collapse, Idaho Experience presents a powerful new documentary examining the devastating failure that forever changed eastern Idaho.

“The Teton Dam Disaster” shares the lasting impact of one of the worst engineering disasters in U.S. history, remembering the lives lost and the communities forever changed.

“The Teton Dam Disaster” premieres June 4 at 8:30 p.m. on Idaho Public Television.

Idaho’s story lives on through the traditions, celebrations, and communities that bring people together year after year.

In commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary, the Idaho State Historical Society is proud to honor the 2026 Esto Perpetua Award recipients, recognizing festivals, organizations, and community traditions that strengthen civic life and carry Idaho’s history forward across generations.

Congratulations to this year’s honorees:
• American Dog Derby, Ashton
• Paul Bunyan Days, St. Maries
• Chief Lookingglass Pow-Wow, Kamiah
• Grangeville Border Days, Grangeville
• Idaho Days, Franklin
• Idaho Veterans Parade, Boise
• Jaialdi, Boise
• Shoshone-Bannock Indian Festival, Fort Hall
• National Oldtime Fiddlers’ Contest and Festival, Weiser
• Wagon Days, Ketchum
• Wallace Fall for History Festival

Join us as we celebrate these incredible Idaho traditions at the 2026 Esto Perpetua Awards Ceremony on Thursday, June 4, 2026, at the Idaho State Museum in Boise.

Doors open at 4:30 p.m. | Program begins at 5:30 p.m.
Ticket purchase includes a summer BBQ, reception, and no-host bar.

Tickets are $30 and available through May 31. Seating is limited.

Learn more and purchase tickets at history.idaho.gov/events.

The Idaho State Historical Society is now accepting applications for the Community Enhancement Grant Program.

This program supports Idaho organizations working to preserve, interpret, and share the state’s history through projects like:
• Collections management
• Educational programming
• Public access improvements
• Interpretive enhancements
• Heritage tourism initiatives

Grant awards range from $500 to $2,500 with a required 1:1 match. Applications are open to eligible Idaho nonprofits, tribal governments, and local government entities.

Since 2008, the program has invested more than $540,000 into communities across Idaho.

Application deadline: July 1, 2026 at 5 pm

Learn more and apply: history.idaho.gov/grants/ceg

Questions? Email [email protected]