Our Team
The heartbeat of the Idaho Heritage Trust
Our Executive Director
Creative, generous, and down-to-earth, our Executive Director keeps her finger on the pulse of preservation throughout Idaho.
What heritage means to me, and why historic preservation is important?
Like so many Idahoans, my early experiences in the breathtaking outdoors of Idaho shaped my inherited sense of identity and the values and traditions that I hold so closely to my heart. I cherish my memories of spending summers on the shores of Payette Lake at our 96-year-old family cabin. I long to hear the shift-change whistles of the Brown Lumber Mill marking the passage of time. I miss seeing the smoke jumpers floating in the sky and Smokey Bear waving to passersby at the historic Payette Forest Station. And I’m so very grateful to still visit the Fire Warden’s Log Home prominently positioned on Lake Street, to wander and wonder through the horticultural paradise that is Charlie’s Garden, and revive myself with an evening dip in the rustic Bergdorf mineral hot springs pools.
My architectural thesis while attending the University of Idaho germinated from these humbling experiences. I was compelled to rehabilitate the rugged timber structures of the sawmill to support a changing economy from logging to tourism and to preserve a substantial pillar of my beloved community’s heritage.
Katherine Kirk
Executive Director
Soon after, the mill buildings were destroyed by fire and eventually the teepee burner was demolished. My focal point on the lake was gone, and I grieved its loss. And yet, years later, it was these values and beliefs that lead me full circle to the position of Executive Director with the Idaho Heritage Trust.
My story, complementary to so many Idahoan’s stories, illuminates how history connects all of us to specific times, places, and events that were significant milestones in our individual and collective past. The ability to revisit preserved places and artifacts from time to time provides us with a sense of place and continuity between our past and our present, preserving the winding trail of how we arrived at where and who we are today.
With three decades of practice as a licensed architect and diverse management positions in the public and private sector, I strive to utilize my breadth of experience and knowledge to champion the mission of the Idaho Heritage Trust. Preserving our collective memories and history is rewarding and a tremendous honor.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart to the people who have supported both The Trust and myself on our collective journey, and it is truly my privilege to lead such a vibrant, passionate, and vital organization to further ensure the Idaho we love and remember remains intact for generations to come.
Sincerely,
Katherine Kirk
Executive Director
Our Board of Directors
A distinguished group of volunteers with diverse areas of expertise who provide governance, leadership, and encouraging support.
Judy Mortimer
Chair Emeritus
Judy Mortimer
Chair Emeritus
Judy Mortimer, Idaho Falls, has served on the IHT board for twelve years and has strong political connections she developed while her husband served on the Idaho State Legislature. She uses her extensive network to champion restoration and conservation efforts throughout the state. As chairperson, Judy has been instrumental in increasing communication amongst the board members and the communities they serve. Inheriting her love of history from the stories her grandfather told her as a child, Judy possesses a truly inquisitive spirit, leading to a deeper understanding of the nuances of our history for herself and those around her. Currently cultivating her own floral business, Judy is also a gifted pianist, former choir director, and served as the Idaho State President of the National Federation of Music Clubs.
Donna Woolston
Chairperson
Donna Woolston
Chairperson
Donna Woolston, Moscow, is part of a seven-generation Idaho family, Donna Woolston’s unabiding curiosity and passion for connecting with history was sparked by her grandmother, Sarah Alice, who moved to Moscow from New Jersey and threw herself into learning about her new community. Together, they read Buffalo Coat, an historical fiction set in the area, and on Memorial Day would visit the gravesites of the people on whom the characters were based. Equally passionate about the arts, Donna and a group of her high school friends turned a defunct theatre in downtown Moscow into The Kenworthy Performing Arts Centre, which restored the historic building and provides unparalleled access to theater, cinema, and other performing arts for Palouse residents. Donna lives in an historic home in Moscow with her husband Bill, an acclaimed photographer and professor emeritus of the University of Idaho, and their two cherished cats.
Dennis O’Brien
Trustee
Dennis O’Brien
Trustee
Dennis O’Brien, Wallace, is a longtime resident of Wallace and an accountant for H.F. Magnusson & Company, Dennis was handpicked by Idaho Centennial Commission chairperson and founding IHT board member Harry Magnuson to be his successor on our board. Encouraged by the many successful projects in historic Wallace, Dennis uses his professional experience to help nonprofit organizations navigate the grant process and secure matching funds for their projects. An avid cyclist, you can often find Dennis zipping along the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes or traversing the many tunnels and trestles of the Route of the Hiawatha.
John Hiler
Treasurer
John Hiler
Treasurer
John Hiler, Mountain Home, is an Idaho native whose family settled the Bruneau Valley in the Sawtooth Mountains in the 1860’s. Born and raised in Glenns Ferry, John has been active in the business community of Mountain Home since 1961. John is a published author and historical scientist, inspired by the many stories passed down to him from his pioneer relatives. An antique book dealer with a puckish sense of humor, he and his wife have a blended family of seven children and many grand and great-grandchildren. They split time between Mountain Home and Prairie, where they enjoy fly fishing, remodeling their home, reading, and indulging in some huckleberry ice cream whenever the opportunity presents.
Jerry Myers
Trustee
Jerry Myers
Trustee
Jerry Myers, Pocatello, is a renowned architect with more than four decades of experience and a well-earned reputation for his expertise in historic preservation, Jerry Myers brings a wealth of knowledge, enthusiasm, and leadership to our organization. Jerry became acquainted with IHT during his time as an advisor for The National Trust for Historic Preservation, and he continues as an active member of many organizations that advocate for preserving the interesting architecture and unique character of historic buildings. Jerry is deeply committed to serving his community while spending as much time with his family as possible and is most at home sharing stories on his front porch.
Marilyn Sabella
Trustee
Marilyn Sabella
Trustee
Marilyn Sabella, Sandpoint, proudly carries on her mother’s legacy as an eminent philanthropist for the arts, music, and culture in her beloved community of Sandpoint. Marilyn was instrumental in restoring the Panida Theatre while she served on the Idaho Arts Commission, personally raising over one million dollars for the theatre through annual fundraisers at her downtown boutique. Driven by a desire to expose Sandpoint residents to other cultures from around the world, Marilyn booked acts from as far away as New Zealand and Japan, as well as bringing the San Francisco Opera to the Panida Theatre. In addition to her 29 years on the IHT board, Marilyn also represents Idaho at the National Trust for Historic Preservation and still finds time to enjoy herself on Lake Pend Oreille where she waterskied growing up.
John Taylor
Trustee
John Taylor
Trustee
John Taylor, Lewiston, is a founding member and past chairperson of the IHT board. John initially gained recognition for his preservation work through his purchase and restoration of the Bollinger Hotel in Lewiston. As chairperson, John was instrumental in the Trust’s acquisition of the Glade Creek Property, one of the last untouched campsites along the Lewis and Clark Trail. John’s interest in history was first sparked hearing stories about his great-great grandmother and her fourteen children’s arduous trip from Illinois out West in the 1850s as part of the Western Migration Period of the Mormon Church. The rest of John’s ancestors settled in northern Utah, while John’s grandfather James landed in Winder. A former guide along the Middle Fork of the Salmon River, John is still very active in the Lewiston community and an avid advocate of the Main Street program.
Walt Sledzieski
Trustee
Walt Sledzieski
Trustee
Walt Sledzieski, McCall, with a background in business management and marketing, was drawn to historic preservation as a way to maintain and share stories that resonate with him. After raising his family in Boise, Walt relocated to McCall, where he became involved with the McCall Historic Preservation Commission to educate McCall residents and visitors on the area’s unique history. Walt is passionate about restoring buildings not only to preserve the past, but also to provide services to the community, such as turning the historic Carpenter Shop at the Southern Idaho Timber Protective Association site into a meeting place, presentation area, and venue. A lifelong tinkerer, Walt honed his woodworking skills at McCall Boat Works, and he whiles away McCall’s winter months in his garage building kayaks and guide boats from historic plans.
Amy Linville
Secretary
Amy Linville
Secretary
For Amy Linville, Emmett, engaging with and appreciating history is a matter of imagination. Starting with a family trip to Colonial Williamsburg when she was six, Amy has been fascinated with imagining what she would do and how she would act under historic circumstances. As a history teacher, Amy built her curriculum around field trips to historic sites throughout Gem County to provide a similar experience for her students, inviting their imaginations to run wild. Recently retired, Amy channels her passion for history through her work with the Gem County Museum and with the likeminded folks at IHT. Whenever the chance presents itself, Amy and her husband enjoy spending time at their 1930s era cabin in Grandjean, immersing themselves in a more rustic way of life free of electricity, cooking over a woodburning stove, and heating dishwater over an open flame.
Hope Benedict
Trustee
Hope Benedict
Trustee
Hope Benedict was born and raised in Salmon, Idaho to a family with deep roots across the area and a passion for Lemhi County history. Family outings would often feature small history and genealogy lessons and Hope still enjoys exploring the Lemhi River Valley with her mother to this very day. In high school and in her early undergraduate years in college, Hope’s academic interests turned to English literature. Soon, Hope found the history surrounding her favorite literary works even more interesting, and she went on to pursue a master’s degree focusing on Tudor-Stuart England and the English Reformation from the University of Oregon. After a few years teaching at Boise State University, Hope returned to the U of O to obtain a PHD in history, this time with a focus on the history of the American West. She describes this shift as a homecoming of sorts, and her dissertation, “Place and Community in the Mining West, Lemhi County, Idaho, 1866-1929”, cites her parents as primary sources. Hope is part of Idaho State University’s history department and is working on the finishing touches to her forthcoming book Living with the Landscape: Mining, Ranching, and Conservation in the American West. Hope has been the president and volunteer director of the Lemhi County Historical Society and Museum, part of the advisory council to the Sacajawea Interpretive, Cultural and Educational Center, serves on the Foundation for Idaho History, and is thrilled to bring her wealth of experience to the Idaho Heritage Trust. When weather permits, you can find Hope hiking around the Beaverhead Mountains or indulging in her newfound love, floating down the Salmon River.
Suzanne Budge
Trustee
Suzanne Budge
Trustee
Suzanne Budge, Boise, is part of a long lineage of influential Idahoans dating back to the early LDS settlers, including her great-grandfather who helped build the Logan, UT and Paris, ID Tabernacles. Growing up on a ranch that included a section of the Oregon Trail, Suzi’s parents instilled in her a deep appreciation for her family’s lore and ancestry. Suzi grew to love the unique landscape of SE Idaho’s phosphate fields and the mining history it represents, spurring a life-long interest in geology and a passion for preserving the history of SE Idaho. As a professional lobbyist, Suzi was instrumental in the Trust’s acquisition of the Glade Creek Campsite. Suzi joined our board shortly after and served as chairperson for ten years. Like her father, Suzi is an avid photographer, and she still has one of the original Kodak cameras he handed down to her.
Alan Minskoff
Vice Chairperson
Alan Minskoff
Vice Chairperson
Alan Minskoff, Boise, is a celebrated author and lecturer at the College of Idaho, Alan moved from New York to Boise in 1972 to help renovate the iconic White Savage Apartments. This experience ignited in him a passion for historic preservation, leading Alan to form Friends of Old Buildings to combat the demolition of historic structures in Boise. As editor of Idaho Heritage Magazine, Alan then visited and held meetings in 24 of Idaho’s small towns over a two-year period, where he says, ‘Idaho’s history got under my nails, it really stuck with me.’ You can read about his experience revisiting these towns in his book The Idaho Traveler. Alan joined the Trust due to a shared dedication to preserving the unique sense of place of small towns, the history they embody, and the context they provide for our present. He was one of 2020’s Esto Perpetua award winners from the Idaho State Historical Society.
Luke Waldron
Trustee
Luke Waldron
Trustee
Luke Waldron, Samaria, is a history teacher and farmer from Samaria, where his great-great grandmother was one of the first settlers. The Malad Valley is home to the largest concentration of Welsh blood outside of Wales, and Luke dedicates much of his time preserving this heritage, including assisting with the annual Welsh Festival and creating the Malad Valley Heritage Square which features two breeds of Welsh sheep & Welsh ponies. His passion for history was born from an infatuation with his grandparents’ stories about life on the frontier, which drove him to create his own museum of historical artifacts when he was only a small child. Luke also has a passion for restoring frontier cabins and manages the family cattle ranch with his wife and six children, and of course his three Welsh corgis.
Terry Clark
Trustee
Terry Clark
Trustee
Terry Clark, Stanley, spent a good portion of his upbringing in what is now Ebey’s Landing National Historic Preserve on central Whidbey Island, WA in the shadow of historic Fort Casey. Inspired by his upbringing, Terry spent 34 years with the Forest Service, and one of his favorite duties was overseeing heritage resource programs and working closely with archaeologists and historians throughout the West. Now retired, Terry applies his vast experience and enthusiasm to his work on the boards of the Sawtooth Interpretive & Historical Association and Sawtooth Society, and he joined our board in 2016. For Terry, historic locations have a mystical quality that allows one to imagine what life was like in the past, and he has a particular affinity for Salish history and iconography as well as the historic ranger stations and lookouts throughout his beloved Sawtooth Mountains.
Joan Davies
Trustee
Joan Davies
Trustee
Joan Davies, is a lifelong resident of the South-Central Idaho. Joan was raised on the farm her parents purchased in 1929 just outside of Twin Falls, which was affectionately referred at as 40 Plumb Ranch due to it being forty miles from nowhere, plumb out in the sticks. Their farmstead was the subject of Annie Pike Greenwood’s book We Sagebrush Folks, a firsthand account of a remarkable woman’s experience of life on the farm. The book helped deepen Joan’s appreciation for history and the lessons to be learned from those who have gone before, which has only strengthened over the sixty years she has spent immersed in, advocated for, and celebrated Hailey’s rich and varied heritage. Joan is passionate, engaging, and a wonderful storyteller, and she uses her talents to champion all manner of preservation projects through her work with the Friends of Minidoka foundation, Blaine County Historical Museum, and countless other ventures throughout her beloved Wood River Valley. A longtime regional volunteer with Idaho Heritage Trust, Joan brings a wealth of experience and enthusiasm to our board. In her free time, Joan loves to paint, explore the natural beauty of Southern Idaho, and tend her garden.
