Free admission Saturday at the Museum of North Idaho

The Museum of North Idaho will open its doors free of charge from 11-5 on Saturday, Sept. 22. It is part of Smithsonian Magazine’s 14th Annual Museum Day, a national celebration where participating museums emulate the free admission policy at the Smithsonian’s museums based in Washington, D.C. Visitors can download the free ticket at www.smithsonian.com/museumdaylive.

Smithsonian recognizes the extraordinary power of museums and other cultural institutions to provide visitors with insight and inspiration. The event represents a nationwide commitment to boundless curiosity and the pursuit of knowledge wherever you are.

“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 of North Idaho director Dorothy Dahlgren.

The museum is celebrating its 50th anniversary with the feature exhibit “Keeping History Alive,” which showcases some of the museum’s favorite artifacts and the importance of collecting and preserving our region’s history. The exhibit will run through Oct. 31.

Permanent exhibits at the museum include: “The Mullan Road,” commemorating Idaho’s first constructed road over the 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 room you can watch the 20-minute presentation, “Portraits of Coeur d’Alene.” Discover the people and history that make our area what it is today.

In conjunction with the free day, the museum is offering its living history walking tours of Old Fort Sherman and historic downtown Coeur d’Alene for $10 each. This is $5 off the regular price. At 11 a.m., tour Old Fort Sherman with local historian Robert Singletary. At 1:30 p.m., tour downtown 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 at 115 Northwest Blvd., and is open from 11-5, Tuesday through Saturday, until Oct. 31. A free parking pass is available at the museum desk.

Admission is generally $4 for adults, $1 for children ages 6-16 and younger than 6 are free. There is a family rate of $10 for two adults and children younger than 16. Members are admitted free. The Museum Store features regional history books, Idaho silver and garnet jewelry, hand-painted folk art of Norway by local artist Ginny Brown, cards featuring local historical scenes by artist Janet Launhardt 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 35,000 photographs, and is available by appointment year-round. For information call 208-664-3448 or email dd@museumni.org, or visit www.museumni.org.