Boundary County Historical Society
Annual Meeting Notes
On Tuesday, January 16, 2024 the Annual Meeting of the Historical Society was held at the Museum.
All reports were approved for the 2023 year.
Report of Trustees Election:
Cal Russell was re-elected for a 3-year term.
Beulah Patterson, was elected for a 3-year term as Trustee.
Refreshments were served.
The Museum’s mission is achieved with the aid of memberships, the community, and the support of the County. Appreciation to all who have renewed their 2024 memberships. If you wish to renew, click HERE to print the membership form.
Looking Ahead to 2024 –
We look forward to greeting new and returning visitors and tour groups; providing historical and educational programs:
Fiber Fest, History of Cattle, Gary Eller- songs from his Idaho Songs Projects, “Cemetery on the Hill” Part 2, annual dinner and auction, and having all around good fun at the Museum. Hours: Thurs.- Sat. 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Watch the website for more updated information and events, and continue to follow the Museum’s Facebook page.
The year end Society Activities report as presented at the Annual Membership Meeting
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Following is a summary of what has kept the Trustees, Staff, and Volunteers busy in 2023:
* * 2023 End of Year Report * *
BCHS Membership:
*Membership in 2023 – 146 members; Membership for 2024 (to date) – 84 members
* Membership Dues collected in 2023 – $5,110
Affiliation/Donation:
* International Selkirk Loop
* Idaho Association of Museums
* Friends of the Restorium – Small Towns, Big Dreams book for silent auction
Funding:
* Support from Boundary County Commissioners and Glenda Poston, County Clerk
* Fundraising Dinner/Auction; 2023 Historical Calendar; Small Towns, Big Dreams (814 books have moved out of the building); Gift Shop
* Financial donations: individual families; John Sater Estate; Idaho State Grange; Innovia Foundation; Schwab Charitable Foundation; memorials
Grants:
*Final report: “Songs, Poems, and Stories of the Early Idaho Panhandle”
Special Events:
* Fiber Fest – Demonstrations of spinning, weaving, knitting, etc.; 68 attendees
* Idaho Day – Serving the People of Boundary County – walking tour of Federal, County, City offices and buildings – art activity and “Idaho” cookie
* Story of Edward L. Bonner – slide show and map lesson for fourth grade students
* School Tours – Fourth grade packets containing: Faces of History, Museum bookmark, pencil, scavenger hunt
* Spring into Summer – BFHS Robotics Alpha+ team; Gary Eller, “Songs, Poems, and Stories of the Early Idaho Panhandle” – overnight accommodations provided by Northside School B & B
* “Cemetery on the Hill” Grandview Cemetery Tour – 52 attendees; admission shared with the cemetery association; porta potties provided by KG&T
* A Night for the Museum – “Movie Night ” theme dinner catered by The Rusty Moose; live auction with Jeff Sater
Partnerships:
* GROW – Little Free Garden
* Potted plants provided by Marciavee Cossette
* Bonners Ferry Herald – “This Week in History” and “From the Archives”
* Coeur d’Alene Press – Republishing “Anglin’ with Anglen”
* Bonners Ferry Living Local – Museum feature
* Idaho State Grange Association – tour of the Museum
* Bonner-Boundary Cattle Association – dinner and “History of Cattle in the Purcell Trench” program (offsite)
* General Services Administration – environmental assessment at Porthill, Idaho
Temporary Exhibit:
* “People Serving Boundary County” – 4th Grade Artwork – Spring and Summer exhibit (returned to students)
Museum Building Maintenance:
* Resealed roof drain over Portrait Hall – BF Builders
* New furnace installed in Portrait Hall – Gerald Branscum
Museum Purchases:
*Scanner, computer, monitor – designated for digitizing archival materials
* Digital camera
* Printer/scanner for archives room
* Archival boxes for newspapers
Museum Collection:
* Donors: 78; Accessions inventoried: 658
* Past Perfect Program (objects, photos, books, archival papers): 36,890
* Renewal of long-term loan – Kootenai Tribe of Idaho – artifacts on display
Special Interest Donations to the Museum Collection:
* Kootenai Tribal artifacts – Annie Patterson Estate
* Detroit Grain Scale – Judy Swing in memory of Larry
* Moyie Chapter, Order of Eastern Star: Signet, Bible, Seal, Gavel, documents and photos
* Two Swift puzzle maps (1919): manufactured by Swift Map Co., Bonners Ferry, Idaho
Museum Statistics:
* Volunteers: 39 Volunteer Hours: 2,726 hours
* Visitors to Museum: 2,149.5
Students- 287/Boundary County- 569/Idaho- 351.5/Out of State- 834/Out of Country- 108
* Free Saturdays – June through October, sponsored by “Friends of the Museum”
* Admission Fees: $2,325.00 Donations in Donation Box: $1,407.03
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