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Idaho State Historical Society displays USS Idaho silver service to Senate
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Summary
During a break in legislative business on Jan. 22, the Idaho State Historical Society presented items from the USS Idaho silver service — including a 1912 cake tray and an engraved fruit tray — and explained their provenance and the society's archival work.
During a recess on Jan. 22, the Idaho State Historical Society presented artifacts from the USS Idaho silver service to members of the Idaho Senate, describing the objects' historical background and the society's role preserving state records and artifacts.
Senate staff distributed a historic photograph reproduction to senators; the staff member noted the reproduction was provided by the public policy firm Egeron and Merrill. The presenter explained that the silver service items were gifted to the USS Idaho battleships and later transferred to the Idaho State Historical Society after the ships were decommissioned.
The presenter described specific items on display: a cake tray associated with the USS Idaho BB-24 dated to 1912 and an engraved fruit tray added by a foreign dignitary during the BB-42's 1919 voyage. The presenter said parts of the BB-24 were later repurposed to fashion the copper eagle that tops the Idaho State Capitol. The historical society representative identified Janet Gallimore as the agency's executive director and noted she leads staff ranging from archivists and curators to educators and archaeologists who care for the collection.
Senator Sarah Hart, whose district includes the south end of Lake Pend Oreille, called attention to a U.S. Naval acoustical research facility there and noted the ship artifacts help connect Idaho's local history to broader national service.
Members of the society's board and the Foundation for Idaho History were present in the gallery. The presenter invited senators to come to the well of the chamber to view the artifacts and to speak with agency staff about the items on display. After a period for photos and inspection the Senate returned to order and business resumed.
