Museum of North Idaho comes home

Surreal. Exciting. Overwhelming. 

Britt Thurman used those words, and a few more just like them, to describe her reaction to finally seeing the Museum of North Idaho moving into its new home Friday. 

“There's a lot to be done, and we’re opening April 18,” the executive director said. “We have two months to not just get everything over here, but set up so it looks beautiful for people to come in and enjoy.” 

A brigade of Coeur d’Alene Rotary volunteers, including Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris, did their part to make it happen. 

They helped transfer scores of boxes, shelves, pictures and more from the museum’s old home next to City Park to its new home in McEuen Park at the base of Tubbs Hill. 

“A lot of work to do,” said volunteer Dick Barclay. 

It’s been a long road since the historic J.C. White House was moved from Eighth Street and Sherman Avenue in 2019 to house the Museum of North Idaho. 

The project cost about $3 million, including site work and renovating the White House with new framing, electric, HVAC, insulation, windows and doors.  

There were delays, added expenses and unexpected detours along the way, but Thurman never lost faith.  

“Never a doubt,” she said. “It was just a when. We knew how hard we were working behind the scenes and how much was getting done. We knew we were getting closer, bit by bit.” 

The main floor will have a gift shop, welcoming area, a few exhibits and donor wall. The second floor will have offices, temporary exhibits, a research library and conference room. The third floor will have offices. The main exhibits will be on the lower level.

Thurman said volunteers like Russ McLain were invaluable to their mission.

McLain volunteered to paint the interior and exterior of the museum.

“It saved us about $50,000,” Thurman said. 

The museum has long needed a new home.

It’s 4,000-square-foot former home of 50 years didn't provide enough space for exhibits. It didn’t have heat, had to be closed in the winter, suffered mold problems last year and had a leaky roof. It is slated to be demolished.

Steps for a new home go back more than six years ago.

In 2019, ignite cda transferred land near City Hall valued at over $900,000 to the city of Coeur d’Alene intended for a museum. MONI signed a 25-year lease with the city to occupy the parcel at the base of Tubbs Hill.   

Next, MONI saved the 1902 J.C. White House from demolition and moved it to its new location to serve as the centerpiece for an expanded 11,300-square-foot museum.  

A second phase calls for a $2.5 million, 5,000-square-foot underground expansion that will house professionally designed and installed exhibits and a state-of-the-art archives and collections storage. 

The goal is to finish fundraising by 2027 and begin construction in 2028. 

The museum will "bring together stakeholders to participate in creating exhibits that identify and represent the culture and history of our three-county region,” according to MONI”s website.

Annette Nolting, development director, said working out of their new home will be “nothing short of magical.” 

She recently got a chance to take in the view from her upstairs office and watch the snow falling. She was delighted by the peaceful, beautiful setting and believes it will attract visitors from near and far.

The three-day weekend, April 17-19, to celebrate the grand opening will include a donor reception, giveaways, tours, ribbon cutting and an Easter egg hunt.

“The finish line‘s been pushed back so many times, now that it’s finally here, it’s wonderful,” Nolting said.

    Britt Thurman, Museum of North Idaho executive director, right, and Annette Nolting, development director, take a break from carrying boxes into the museum's new home on Friday to pose for a picture next to some of the exhibits.