Museum of Idaho

The Museum of Idaho (MOI) is a history and science museum located in Idaho Falls, Idaho. It is a private nonprofit organization dedicated to showcasing the social and environmental history of Idaho and the Intermountain West, along with a variety of traveling exhibits.

History

The Museum of Idaho's roots trace back to the early history of Idaho Falls. The Village Improvement Society, established by local women in 1898, played a pivotal role in enhancing the community's cultural landscape. In 1913, they secured a grant from the Carnegie Foundation to construct a public library, which was completed between 1914 and 1916. After the library relocated in 1977, the Bonneville County Historical Society (BCHS) successfully preserved the historic building, transforming it into the Bonneville Museum in 1985.

In 1992, the BCHS expanded its holdings by purchasing adjacent land, and in 2000, the former Masonic Temple was donated to allow for further expansion. The buildings were connected via a two-story atrium, and the institution reopened as the Museum of Idaho in 2003. Since its inception, the museum has continuously expanded its mission and offerings, culminating in the opening of new exhibit halls, an education center, and a lobby in 2019, followed by a comprehensive renovation of the historic buildings in 2021.

Exhibits and Collections

The museum features permanent exhibits focusing on Idaho's history, archaeology, paleontology, geology, and native cultures. The Wasden Collection is a significant part of the museum's holdings, featuring thousands of artifacts and fossils excavated from an archaeological site near Idaho Falls.

Way Out West

The museum's flagship exhibit, "Way Out West," offers an immersive experience of Idaho's history from its earliest inhabitants to the present. This permanent exhibit spans seven themed galleries:

• Idaho Origins: Early Idaho history and fossils
• Out of the Rocks: Geology and the Yellowstone Hotspot's impact on the region
• Into Nature: Wildlife and land management
• Regional Roots: Late 19th-century town settings
• People & Places: Stories of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes and settlers
• A Complex State: Stories of inclusion and exclusion
• Idaho Impact: The state's technological innovations and public image

Collaborations and Partnerships

The Museum of Idaho collaborates with various organizations, including the Idaho Museum of Natural History and the Idaho National Laboratory, to promote cultural and historical preservation. These partnerships enhance the museum's ability to tell comprehensive stories about the region's rich history.

Visitations and Impact

The museum attracts approximately 90,000 visitors annually and serves as a cultural hub in the region. It offers educational programs and interactive exhibits designed to engage a wide range of audiences.

Governance

The museum operates with a small full-time staff supplemented by volunteers and a board of trustees. Its private nonprofit status allows it to manage itself independently while receiving support from local and national organizations.