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Idaho State Historical Society seeks operating authority for grants and staff for Old Idaho Penitentiary work; previews USS Idaho artifacts
Summary
The Idaho State Historical Society described requests for staffing and spending authority to support collections consolidation, Old Idaho Penitentiary operations and the America250 commemoration; the society also presented historic USS Idaho silver service artifacts to the committee.
The Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee heard from the Idaho State Historical Society about fiscal‑year 2026 requests to support archives consolidation, staff for the Old Idaho Penitentiary site, and spending authority to accept and expend fundraising and federal grant dollars tied to exhibits and commemorations.
Janet Gallimore, director of the Idaho State Historical Society, told the committee the agency’s responsibilities are set out in Chapter 41, Title 67 of Idaho Code and that recent activity includes consolidating collections into the State Archives building and preparing the Old Idaho Penitentiary for expanded educational programming. The society requested ongoing staff for the Old Pen (funded from the site’s miscellaneous revenue fund), a 1.0 FTE archivist‑technician for digitizing records ($62,900 ongoing), $450,000 one‑time for moving collections into a consolidated facility, and reappropriation authority for $1.65 million in general‑fund support for the America250 commemoration. The governor recommended the requests.
Gallimore explained the fundraising authority: much of the society’s non‑state revenue comes from earned revenue, grants and private fundraising processed through its foundation. The society asked for spending authorization to accept and expend grants and donations, noting that some federal and foundation awards require government accounting and audit authority before funds can be spent.
Committee members asked for results from a recent $1 million fundraising initiative and for metrics tied to Old Penn staffing and program goals. Gallimore said the society can report annual earned revenue (~$250,000) and campaign‑specific totals, and she offered to provide data showing program and revenue changes tied to recently approved positions; the society’s internal business plan targeted increasing Old Pen student visits (one goal cited: doubling to about 12,000 students).
The society brought two artifacts for committee viewing: silver service pieces (a cake tray and engraved fruit tray) associated with earlier naval vessels named USS Idaho. Gallimore said the society and partners are coordinating with the USS Idaho commission and the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program to curate Idaho artifacts that will travel with the boat and return to the state for long‑term stewardship.
No formal committee action occurred. Committee members asked for follow‑up detail on fundraising results, Old Pen performance metrics and the schedule for the collections move and exhibit planning.
