Gary Eller has collected nearly 1,000 songs about Idaho. More than 200 are historically rooted, documenting the people places and traditions of Idaho. Songs like “The Ballad of Starr Wilkinson” and “Owyhee Miner’s Lament,” are candid and unique, if not quirky, oral records of Idaho’s history.
On Friday, Sept. 26, Eller will be sharing Idaho songs at the Boundary County Museum. In addition to a concert of songs originating from the Idaho panhandle, there will be a “song swap.”
If you know an Idaho song, from camp fire sing-alongs or pulled from old sheet music, join us. Eller is particularly seeking older songs of our logging and mining days.
Bring your Idaho song and share it with Gary. A Bonners Ferry version of sheet music, “The Idaho Waltz” by Verna Hodgson has already been contributed by Grace Aby. Also in the museum collection is a 45 record of the same song, donated by Patty Burlingame.
This event is free and open to the public. Rumor has it there will be refreshments. The museum is celebrating near completion of major remodeling. The hours of the Boundary County Museum at 7229 Main St. are Tuesday thru Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. until Oct. 4, when winter hours will begin and the museum will be open on Fridays and Saturdays.
Written by Museum staff for publication in 2008
Originally published – RuralNorthwest