Museum of North Idaho opens
Volunteer Katrina Cook stands behind the front counter of the Museum of North Idaho on Friday morning.
BILL BULEY/Press
BILL BULEY/Press Volunteer Becky Power stands behind museum director Dorothy Dahlgren as they work in the main office at the Museum of North Idaho on Friday morning.
One of the exhibits at the Museum of North Idaho.
BILL BULEY/Press
Two new exhibits added this year
COEUR d’ALENE — After a two-month delay due to coronavirus restrictions, the Museum of North Idaho opened for the season Tuesday.
“With everything going on in the world today we’re very pleased to have a little normalcy in our community with the museum opening,” said director Dorothy Dahlgren.
The museum has two new exhibits. “Rightfully Hers: Finding Equality In A Man’s World” explores women in the Coeur d’Alene region who laid the groundwork for women’s rights leading into the mid-20th century, expanding the boundaries of the traditional gender roles. They were doctors, aviators, loggers, and congresswomen.
Dahlgren, museum director for 38 years, said the state of Idaho is also celebrating the 100th anniversary of suffrage.
“We made our exhibit to coexist with what the state is doing,” she said.
The second exhibit showcases recent artifact donations to the Museum of North Idaho. These exhibits run through Oct. 31.
Permanent exhibits at the Museum include:
• McEuen Park, which explores the transformation of the area located at the base of Tubbs Hill from a highly industrialized area to recreational uses.
• The Mullan Road commemorating Idaho’s first road constructed over the Fourth of July Pass.
• 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.
Walking tours with local historian Robert Singletary are available Tuesday through Saturday (subject to weather and event conflicts). The one to 1 ½ hour tours begin at the museum at 11 a.m. for the Old Fort Sherman tour and 1:30 p.m. for downtown Coeur d’Alene.
The tours are $15 per person and includes museum admission and parking. For more info 208-755-1308 or 208-664-3448.
The museum opened in 1979 at its current home next to City Park at 115 Northwest Blvd.
It is in the midst of a $4 million capital campaign to fund its move in a few years to the White House at McEuen Park.
Hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., through Oct. 31.
Admission is $4 for adults, $1 for children 6-16, and children under 6 are free. There is a family rate of $10 for two adults and children under 16. Members are admitted free.
Admission can be purchased online at www.museumni.org.
