Idaho Heritage Trust

Sharing Stories

There’s no history without a good story.

We often speak to the importance of preserving our history and heritage for the future generations of Idahoans in advance of our Bicentennial Celebration in 2090. As our connections to the communities we serve deepen, we grow increasingly aware that preservation is a catalyst for cultural, social, educational, economic, and environmental advancement in our present communities.

Preserving historic buildings and artifacts helps define and distinguish our communities. They provide a strong sense of place and cultural identity that increases community engagement and stewardship. Historic preservation creates local jobs and opportunities for businesses to breathe new life into old buildings. It spurs investment and interest in historic downtowns, creates opportunities for heritage tourism, promotes green building and sustainability, and more.

We invite you to learn along with us as we share some firsthand narratives about how preservation projects have made a profound impact in specific communities and personal stories that illustrate the way in which historic places are an indelible part of our individual and cultural identity.

Getting People Inside (And Outside!) At The Bishop’s House in Boise

A common myth of historic preservation is that owning or caretaking an old building means it can never change, that everything has to remain the same and, well, stagnant. The …

Pocatello Relights the Night (Yet Again!)

Old Town Pocatello basks in the warm glow of vintage neon as more than twenty restored signs flicker back to life.  As Pocatello’s Relight the Night gains national attention for …

Saying Goodbye to Winter at White Spring Ranch

Spring on the Palouse has been a cause for celebration for as long as people have called the area home. Before settlers arrived in the West, Nez Perce tribespeople moved …

Mackay’s Clock Cigar Shop Gets Its Namesake Back

A painstaking recreation of the historic street clock that once stood in front of the Clock Cigar Shop in downtown Mackay, Idaho was recently installed by the South Custer County …

The Pine Street School Bus Restoration and the History of Student Transportation

On the Back of the Bus: The Pine Street School Bus Restoration and the History of Student Transportation Nothing typifies the transition from Summer to Fall like seeing children waiting …

An Innovative Community Vision for an Historic Carpenter Shop

A new meeting space is bringing people into the historic SITPA site and immersing them in McCall’s history. What should we do with historic buildings that have outlived their original …

Share Your Stories

The Idaho Heritage Trust believes in preserving historic structures not only for the time and place they exemplify, but also for the personal stories they represent. These stories strengthen community bonds and speak to the importance of preserving our beloved landmarks.

Do you have a family story or meaningful anecdote tied to one of our projects? We cordially invite you to share your story with us!

Send us an email through our contact page, and we would be thrilled to share your story with the world. Make sure to include your name and contact information, so we can reach out for any additional information and give you due credit.

Fund your Project

Learn about our grant program and apply today!

Technical Assistance

Enlist the help of our preservation experts.

Explore

View a comprehensive list of IHT’s projects and an interactive map of historic sites across Idaho.

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