Museum of North Idaho sees attendance decline
<p>SHAWN GUST/Press An exhibit about the history of working steamboats in the area is among the many historic items on display at the Museum of North Idaho. The museum will be hosting its free admission day on Sunday, the last day of the season.</p>
COEUR d'ALENE - Blame it on the rain.
Attendance was down this season for the Museum of North Idaho, the possible result of a colder than usual spring and an increased charge for parking.
"I think the people who came to the museum really enjoyed it," said Dorothy Dahlgren, museum director.
But the overall number is down, with around 1,300 visitors since April 1.
With less than a week to go before it closes for the winter, around 4,000 visitors will have passed through the doors. That's down from 5,400 visitors last year.
"I attribute it to the cold, wet spring we had," Dahlgren said. "Everyone was suffering a bit."
The wetter and colder than usual spring saw the biggest dips in visits. June had 637 this year, compared to 752 the year before. By July though, year-over-year visits were on par.
Also, the city began charging $1 for the first hour in the city's parking lots this year.
The museum gave a free hour of parking for a visit, but word didn't get out about the offer until halfway through the season. So paying a buck could have been a deterrent for locals not used to the charge, Dahlgren said.
For those who missed any of the displays, there's still time.
The museum is having a free day on Saturday, its last day before it closes for the winter, so anyone can explore the collection on the house.
The feature exhibit, "Your History in 3-D," gives insight into how the museum collects, preserves and interprets history. As part of the exhibit the public can use a computer to search the museum's collections.
Other exhibits include "The Mullan Road," celebrating the 150th anniversary of Idaho's first constructed road.
Hundreds of reproduction historic photos that were used in past exhibits are being offered for sale, as well as a newly published book, "Angus McDonald of the Great Divide: The Uncommon Life of a Fur Trader, 1816 to 1889."
The museum's hours are 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.. It is located at 115 Northwest Blvd.
Admission costs $3 for adults, $1 for children ages 6-16, and free for children younger than 6. Family rate is $7 for two adults and children younger than 16.