Tomorrow is White House moving day

The historic J.C. White House will move to its final home at the base of Tubbs Hill tomorrow, Nov. 16.

The house will be moved from 8th and Sherman to 8th and Young beginning at 6 a.m. It will serve as the centerpiece for a new state-of-the-art Museum of North Idaho.

The home’s foundation has been strength tested and is ready for its new tenant. Any street lights, overhead power lines, and fire hydrants on the route that need to be removed will be reinstalled once the route is clear. The Centennial Trail will be closed between 8th Street and the east side of Tubbs Hill while the house is placed.

The Museum of North Idaho will have coffee and doughnuts in McEuen Park, near the east side of Tubbs, just off the Centennial Trail for community members who want to witness the J.C. White House’s journey.

Moving one of Coeur d’Alene’s significant historic homes is possible in large part because of community donations, though funding is still needed. The J.C. White House requires inside and outside renovations before museum’s offices can occupy the building by December 2020.

For the past 40 years, the Museum of North Idaho has operated from 4,371 square feet, with an additional 4,000 square feet of off-site storage. Phase II of the project includes an expansion of two wings to create 20,000 square feet of space for exhibits, theater, library, meeting rooms, offices, and on-site storage.

The estimated cost for Phase I is $4.5 million, which includes building the foundation, moving the house, winterization, and renovations to the White House. Phase II is $4 million and includes two extended wings and exterior site development of parking and landscaping. Naming rights are available. The Museum has identified matching grants to potentially double donor dollars and complete the new museum by 2023.

Because of street closures and traffic control, parking at City Hall will not be accessible during the move.