Merry Christmas!

The McConnell Mansion has a new feeling once the decorations go up.  The Mansion seems like it has been refreshed after a long year and is ready to welcome new visitors for the holiday season.  Below are some photos of the LCHS events committee preparing the house for what is sure to be a fantastic holiday season.  I want to take this opportunity to invite everyone for our Victorian Christmas event on Saturday (12/13) from 1pm-4pm.  I'm sure this event will be at least as great as last year as we celebrate this festive time of year.

Northwest History Network

This year Latah County Historical Society has been a recipient of a Northwest History Network Microfunding Grant.  This article is written to inform our membership and the Northwest History Network of the progress we have made with the new archival boxes provided by this grant.

In January of 2014 I joined the Latah County Historical Society (Latah County, Idaho with our office and historic house located in Moscow) in capacity as museum curator.  As many of you are aware, work at local historical societies requires working in a variety of roles, some of my daily responsibilities include: curating historical artifacts, registering artifacts, documents and photographs into our collection, organizing volunteers to assist with the operations of the historical society and maintaining and storing archival documents.

The Latah County Historical Society (LCHS) is fortunate to have fully functional rolling shelving for our archives.  This shelving is approximately 70% full of records, each housed in acid-free, archival boxes.  While I was beginning to work with the archival collection I found that many of the Large Collections were a series of smaller boxes, which were labeled numerically since there were no large archival boxes (e.g. LC [Large Collection] Greeting Cards Box 1, LC Greeting Cards Box 2 . . . ).  While this was a bit cumbersome it did not warrant buying new boxes since there were other more pressing needs.  As time rolled on more large collections were donated to LCHS.  As these projects piled up I knew that I had a problem brewing on my hands.

In March I found the Northwest History Network’s Microfunding Grant opportunity.  I applied in an attempt to fix the archival box shortage.  In June I found out that LCHS was funded through the Northwest History Network.  In July I researched archival box options and ended up ordering 30 boxes from Hollinger Metal Edge model number RSB-18 with dimensions 12W x 15L x 10H.  I chose these boxes because of their value for money.  I did a lot of research and calling in order to maximize the Northwest History Network Microfunding Grant.

Since the boxes arrived in August they have been put to work.  Some of the new projects include getting backlogged document collections in acid-free storage complete with new inventories.  At the Latah County Historical Society one of our most prominently researched figures is Frank B. Robinson.  While the Frank B. Robinson Collection is well used there are boxes of unprocessed records in our backlog.  Thanks to this grant LCHS has the archival boxes necessary to begin processing these boxes and make them available to researchers.

The newly completed Robinson collection from the LCHS backlog now processed in acid-free boxes.

Another notable project has been the consolidation of smaller collections.  These boxes have allowed me to combine large collections housed in multiple small boxes into one large box.  This consolidation is not only easier to handle but also allows for quicker and more efficient access by the researchers. 

LC 1912 Center used to be in the three smaller boxes on the left, now it is in the larger box on the right.

The archival boxes have also been used to house new collections.  Recently LCHS received a new large collection of Frank A. David (a prominent citizen who worked and owned department stores in downtown Moscow, ID) papers.  These papers span his and his family’s history in Latah County.  While this collection has not been processed yet, I am able to store them in acid free storage in the meantime.

These boxes have been used not only in the documents collection but also in the textile collection.  LCHS has used these boxes to re-house some of the hats in the collection.  This has moved these hats out of acidic boxes and into acid free long-term storage.

The Northwest History Network Microfunding Grant has been a great way for the Latah County Historical Society to improve its storage while increasing access to our records.  This grant allowed LCHS to maintain archival storage standards while processing existing and new collections.  I would like to thank the Northwest History Network for funding this Microfunding Grant and I hope success at the LCHS will encourage other historical societies to apply to this worthwhile opportunity in the future.

Zachary Wnek
Museum Curator
Latah County Historical Society

Harvest Dinner 2014

It's that time of year again for the Latah County Historical Society Harvest Dinner!  This year our Harvest Dinner broke from tradition and was offered in a new location, the Moscow High School.  The Harvest Dinner was a great success, thanks to our many volunteers who worked very hard to make it happen.  A special thanks goes out to our great events committee who organized the event.  Below are some photographs from the event.  We look forward to another great event next year!

 

Voting in Latah County

Looking back on the most recent election makes us proud here at LCHS.  We believe in the importance of voting and its impact on our lives.  Here in Latah County there has been a long standing tradition of voting and its importance.  In researching our archives we came across the following photos of the voting process.

Joan Bauer, then-Latah County Clerk explains to Moscow High School United States government class voting procedures. Watching are seniors Shelly Bobeck, Chris Tylutki, and Phil Nordquist. No date. 001-6-441.

Zoe Cooley, Moscow Library Board Member, recounting ballots in 1990. Cooley.Z.02.

 While the voting process is important, there is not much about voting that is more important than the actual ballot.  These ballots were from the election held August 14, 1956.  The ballots represent the Republican and Democratic party tickets for that election.  Notice on the Democratic Party Ticket is long time Senator Frank Church.

Lastly here at LCHS we would like to thank everyone who voted in the last election on Tuesday.  Thank you for having your voice heard.  The election results are available from the Latah County Website here.

Make A Difference Day

On Saturday morning the University of Idaho Center for Volunteerism and Social Action sponsored the Make A Difference Day.  Saturday nine UI student volunteers descended upon the McConnell Mansion to help LCHS on some special projects.

The hard working UI student volunteers at the McConnell Mansion.

These students and I worked hard on two projects, one of which would not have been possible without the help of Ryan from Guardian Comprehensive Home Services.  This project was the outside clean-up of the McConnell Mansion.  As you might have noticed it is getting colder outside and the leaves are turning from green to yellow, then onto our lawns.  Ryan from Guardian stepped up and was at the McConnell Mansion early Saturday morning to do some pruning around the grounds before the student volunteers arrived.  Once the volunteers arrived they were set to work raking leaves and prunings, then flipping them into the Guardian truck for removal.

Raking in front of the McConnell Mansion.

Guardian's yard debris removal truck.

UI students flipping the yard debris into the Guardian yard debris removal truck.

A big thank you goes out to Guardian as well as the UI students for helping the McConnell Mansion look its best this fall season!

But wait, there's more!  Here at LCHS we like to host events, however sometimes people need a little extra help finding our event locations.  Years ago wooden folding sandwich boards were donated to LCHS so that we can help people find our events.  These sandwich boards have been well loved over the years and were in need of some re-finishing.  A second group of students worked to pull all of the staples out of the boards, sand the boards and give them a fresh coat of paint.  These students were so efficient that they even helped to rake leaves after they had finished working on the signage!

Sanding and pulling staples from the signs.

Look for these newly painted signs next time you're looking for an LCHS event!

This was a great morning for LCHS as we got more done before noon than I had hoped for.  Thank you to Guardian and to the University of Idaho Center for Volunteerism and Social Action for helping make this event a success.

 - Zach Wnek
Museum Curator
Latah County Historical Society

Volunteer Lunch

Here at the Latah County Historical Society we are serious about our volunteers.  On Thursday 10/23 LCHS hosted some of our volunteers for chili with fixins, vegetables, brownies and cheesecake at the historic McConnell Mansion.  This lunch was a great way for us to recognize our volunteers.  This was also a great opportunity for the volunteers to meet each other.  The lunch was well attended by approximately 20 LCHS volunteers.  Here at LCHS we would like to sincerely thank all of our volunteers for their hard work, without your efforts LCHS would not be what it is toady.

Below are some photos of some of the wonderful LCHS volunteers.
 

Archives Month!

October, as some of you may know, is American Archives Month.  To get you in the archival mood, I thought I would begin Archives Month by discussing the Latah County Historical Society archives.  When I talk about archives, I am speaking about documentary history.  Historic papers (also referred to as records) stored in acid free folders and in acid free boxes so that they can be preserved as long as possible. 

The LCHS archival shelving units.  These units hold thousands of records across hundreds of collections.

The LCHS archives are housed in our Centennial Annex.  The LCHS archives consist of five Spacesaver double sided rolling shelving units and one wall mounted shelf.  These 11 shelves contain many treasures of Latah County.  I am hoping to portray these treasures to you with some regularity this month as we celebrate Archives Month.

The records are safely stored in acid free boxes so that they can be preserved for as long as possible.

Below are a few photos of the LCHS archives and the archival boxes used to preserve the records within.  Stay tuned for more as LCHS shares our archives with you, our captivated digital audience, over the course of October.

Collections come in all shapes and sizes with boxes to match.

 - Zach Wnek
Museum Curator
Latah County Historical Society

Bus Tour with Historian Keith Petersen

The Latah County Historical Society bus tour group gathered on the grass just west of Good Samaritan Village, in Moscow, Idaho on September 20, 2014. Photo credit: Earl Bennett

On September 20, 2014, Idaho State Historian Keith C. Petersen led a Latah County Historical Society group on a guided tour of parts of the Mullan Road. May 6, 2014 Petersen released his new book, John Mullan: The Tumultuous Life of a Western Road Builder. His book chronicles the life of John Mullan, a man well known in the Pacific Northwest for his role as architect and builder of the military road between Fort Walla Walla, Washington and Fort Benton, Montana. The book covers John Mullan’s entire life, while the bus tour we took focused on the construction of this military road commonly known as Mullan’s Road. In the comfort of an air-conditioned touring bus, Petersen painted a picture of what it took from 1859 to 1862 to build a 600-mile road.

(Center of image) Keith Petersen speaking September 20, 2014 at Steptoe (Tohotonimme) Battlefield, a nationally registered historical place maintained by the Washington State Park System in Rosalia, Washington. This is the site of Colonel Steptoe’s defeat on May 17, 1858 by confederated tribes of the inland northwest. Photo Credit: Luke Sprague

Following the stop at Rosalia, Washington, the group turned east following the route of the Mullan Road and stopped at Hangman’s Creek historical marker. As the name suggests, Colonel Wright hung seven Native Americans here on about September 24–25, 1858, without a trial, effectively ending native resistance. Petersen argued that the defeat of the confederation of inland northwest tribes including Yakamas, Palouse, Coeur d’Alenes, and Spokanes in 1858 allowed Mullan to build his road through that area of Idaho, Washington, and Montana that would otherwise be impossible.

Keith Petersen speaking at Hangman’s Creek historical site, found between Spangle and Fairfield, Washington on S North Kentuck Trails Road on September 20, 2014. Photo Credit: Luke Sprague

Historical marker located at Hangman’s Creek. Following a respectful and contemplative moment of silence given the tragic nature of the event, the tour group broke for lunch. Photo Credit: Luke Sprague

Throughout the bus tour, Petersen aptly pointed to historical figures of regional and national prominence. These included Gustavus Sohon (renowned artist of the Pacific Railway plates, 1855–1861) and Theodore Kolecki (a topographer and assistant) both who were members of his road building party. Sohon in addition to providing early sketches of the Pacific Northwest, including the image on the front of Petersen’s book, provided us the first written description of Latah County, Idaho. Washington Territorial Governor, Isaac Stevens, recognized Mullan’s potential choosing him to build the military road. Stevens acted as a mentor to Mullan, who had financial ambitions of his own. As a devout Catholic and by necessity, Mullan had connections to Jesuits Father Joseph Cataldo and Father Pierre-Jean DeSmet.

Plante’s Ferry historical marker located in Spokane Valley, Washington, September 20, 2014. This is the location of where the Mullan Road connected to Plante’s Ferry. Photo Credit: Luke Sprague

Pictured above is one of dozens of Mullan Road markers that stretch from Walla Walla, Washington to Fort Benton, Montana. Petersen argues successfully that the dozens of markers installed from 1916 to 1941 indicate the road’s historical significance. The installation of these markers was not a national project but instead local communities recognizing the 600-mile road’s importance. Petersen points out that the roadbed became a route for the railroad, US Highway 10 in 1911, and Interstate 90 in 1958; thereby affirming Mullan’s choice of the Fourth of July Pass as the best for a road nearly a century later.

Idaho State Historian, Keith C. Petersen, September 20, 2014. Photo Credit: Luke Sprague

While on the way back to Moscow, winding down, and enjoying a glass of wine, Keith explained how William Wallace in 1863 defeated Mullan’s design for Washington Territory, see the map below, eventually resulting in the northern panhandle we have today in Idaho.

An image from a Latah County Historical Society (LCHS) tour brochure. Image Credit: LCHS

The bus tour was quite enjoyable providing both interesting company, good food, and historical relevance all at once. Luke Sprague wrote this post and I am a local professional historian who provides people with customized research for ancestry, family searches, book manuscripts, screenplays, building histories, and military records, find out more at: HistoryMint.com

Join Us for a One-of-a-Kind Tour!

On September 20th you have the opportunity to join Idaho's State Historian Keith Petersen for an exciting and educational day of travel through eastern Washington and north Idaho.  Petersen's most recent book, John Mullan: The Tumultuous Life of a Road Builder, is the first comprehensive biography written about the man who surveyed one of the most important routes in the American West.  In fact, much of Interstate 90 in this part of the country still follows the route designed by Mullan nearly 200 years ago.  The upcoming bus tour will traverse parts of Mullan's road and will make stops at other locations of significance in the early Euro-American settlement of our region.

 So come along and learn about...

ISAAC STEVENS:  Did you know that we have a monument to the first governor of Washington right here in Latah County?  The survey work done by Stevens in the 1850s is integral to John Mullan's story, and we will begin our journey at this little known marker.

 Source: http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/cwpbh.02650

BATTLE AT STEPTOE: On May 17, 1858 Lieutenant Colonel Edward Steptoe's forces clashed with a group of American Indians from the Palouse, Spokane, and Coeur d'Alene tribes outside of present-day Rosalia Washington.  As Keith Petersen will explain, this escalation in hostilities between whites and American Indians required Mullan to adjust his surveying plans and ultimately affected where the road was constructed.

Source: www.wsdot.wa.gov

 
PLANTE'S FERRY PARK: This Spokane park is located on the spot where French-Canadian trapper Antoine Plante settled and operated the first ferry in the area.  Mullan passed through this exact location because Plante's ferry was the only way to cross the Spokane River in the early 1850s.

Source: www.spokanecounty.org

This is just a sampling of the stops to be made on our one-of-a-kind tour.  Don't miss your opportunity to learn more about the early history of the Washington Territory from an expert.  Lunch, libations, and a good time will be included!

With just three weeks left until our fall bus tour heads out on the road, now is the time to get your tickets!  Call 208.882.1004 or email lchslibrary@latah.id.us with questions or to reserve your spot.  Tickets for LCHS or Whitman County Historical Society are $75, all others are $85.

Oral History Collection

Oral history transcripts at LCHS.

In the 1970s, thanks in large part to the bicentennial of the United States, many oral histories were recorded.  At the Latah County Historical Society (LCHS) 480 oral histories were recorded, transcribed and are available for research.  When preforming historical research oral histories are unique.  Many historical resources are written down.  The act of writing something down usually implies that the author paused and spent time crafting a well articulated response to a letter or perhaps a carefully thought out diary entry or even an edited book.

Oral histories can also be described as historical interviews.  These interviews are conducted by oral historians to learn about the interviewee’s life through their words.  Oral histories can add a bit of candor to the historical record that might not have been present in the written record.  Interviews conducted in the 1970s were recorded onto cassette tapes and later transcribed.  The LCHS oral history collection has been carefully cataloged and stored since the interviews were recorded and the transcripts were created.

A box of oral history interviews at LCHS.

In the 1980s a part of the LCHS oral history collection was shared with our colleagues at the University of Idaho.  This was done in order to duplicate the holdings so that if there was a disaster at one location there would still be a backup of these important historic records.  Earlier this year the University of Idaho Special Collections Digital Resources department digitized the LCHS oral history collection.  This collection can now be accessed via the web at their website here:  http://digital.lib.uidaho.edu/cdm/landingpage/collection/latah

Storage for 480 oral history transcripts at LCHS.

The University of Idaho did a remarkable job of making this collection more accessible for researchers as the transcripts are now searchable and the audio is also available.  This is a fantastic resource for researchers, who can now search through transcripts and hear historic figures.

While not all of the LCHS oral histories are digitized on the UI website, many of them are.  I encourage everyone interested in local history to take a moment and search for your favorite Latah County historical figure, event or place in the search function to find out more about the history of Latah County.


 - Zachary Wnek
Museum Curator
Latah County Historical Society