Free admission Saturday at Museum of North Idaho

The Museum of North Idaho will open its doors free of charge on Saturday, Sept. 24 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. as part of Smithsonian magazine’s 12th annual Museum Day Live! Visitors are encouraged to download the free ticket at www.smithsonian.com/museumdaylive.

Museums throughout the U.S. are participating in the Smithsonian magazine program.

“We are pleased to be chosen as a participant in the Smithsonian magazine’s Museum Day. History provides our community with a sense of place and identity and Museum Day draws attention to the efforts of local museums,” said museum director Dorothy Dahlgren.

The Museum of North Idaho’s feature exhibit “Ties to the Past: Railroad History in the Coeur d’Alene Region” explores the development of railroads in the Coeur d’Alene Region, their economic impact, their demise and how their legacy still impacts us. Four transcontinental railroads and several local railroads served North Idaho carrying ore, freight, agricultural products, passengers, timber and lumber. The exhibit will run through Oct. 31.

Permanent exhibits at the museum include: “The Mullan Road” commemorating Idaho’s first constructed road over Fourth of July Pass, “McEuen Park” explores the transformation of the area located at the base of Tubbs Hill from a highly industrialized area to recreational uses, “The Scandinavians Settled Here" looks at the Nordic influences in the region. “Schitsu’umsh, The People Who Were Discovered Here” gives a glimpse into the life of the Coeur d’Alene Indians through beadwork, tools, maps, stories and life lessons.

“When the Mountains Roared” features stories and graphics about the 1910 Fire that destroyed millions of acres in Idaho and Montana. The original signal bells and steering wheel from the steamboat, Flyer, are exhibited along with photos and artifacts from steamboats that cruised Lake Coeur d’Alene. In the theater, visitors can watch a 20-minute screening of “Portraits of Coeur d’Alene.”

Also on Saturday, Sept. 24, the museum is offering its living history walking tours of Old Fort Sherman and Historic Downtown Coeur d’Alene for $10 each for the remainder of the season. This is $5 off the regular price. At the 11 a.m. Old Fort Sherman tour local historian, Robert Singletary, brings to life Gen. William Carlin, a commander at Fort Sherman. At the 1:30 pm downtown tour he takes on the persona of Peter Sorensen, steamboat captain, boat builder, and community leader during the early years of Coeur d’Alene. Tickets are available at the Museum of North Idaho. Tours leave from the museum.

The Museum of North Idaho is located in front of Coeur d’Alene City Park, 115 Northwest Blvd. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. through Oct. 29. A free parking pass is available at the Museum desk.

Admission is generally $4 for adults, $1 for children 6-16, and kids younger than 6 are free. There is a family rate of $10 for two adults and children under 16. Members are admitted free. The museum store features regional history books, Idaho silver, garnet and opal and gifts. Contact the museum for special openings and for group tours.

The Museum of North Idaho serves as the regional repository for historical materials of Kootenai, Benewah and Shoshone counties. A research library houses archival materials, books and more than 30,000 photographs, and is available by appointment year-round. For more information call (208) 664-3448 or email [email protected], or visit www.museumni.org.