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Idaho State Historical Society seeks spending authority for archives move, Old Pen staffing and America250 commemorations
Summary
The Idaho State Historical Society presented FY26 requests for archivist staff, one-time moving costs to consolidate collections, Old Idaho Penitentiary staff positions funded from miscellaneous revenue, and a $1.65 million America250 commemoration package; the legislature asked for fundraising results and details on obligations.
The Idaho State Historical Society briefed the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on a package of budget requests that include staffing for archives digitization, one-time moving and equipment costs to consolidate collections, continuing spending authority for Old Idaho Penitentiary staff, and reappropriation to implement America250 commemorative work.
Analyst Brooke Dupree summarized the request and described a recent pattern of one-time appropriations and reappropriations tied to infrastructure and campaign fundraising. The agency requested $62,900 ongoing and 1 FTE for an archivist technician to digitize archival materials and provide inventories for public access; a $450,000 one-time request to move and consolidate collections from multiple off-site facilities; and continued spending authority tied to Old Idaho Penitentiary revenue to support staff and operations. The governor recommended the enhancements.
Director Janet Gallimore (Idaho State Historical Society) told the committee the society is a mix of general fund and non-state revenue and regularly raises private and grant funds for projects. She said fund-raising efforts typically generate about $250,000 a year for ongoing operations and larger campaign efforts produce additional restricted funds. Senator Ziderfeld asked how much was raised from a prior $1,000,000 fundraising initiative; Gallimore said amounts vary by campaign and committed to provide fund-balance details.
The society also reported $1,650,000 in general-fund support for America250 activities that were largely obligated to partner projects (documentary, curriculum and grants) and are being administered through memoranda of understanding and grant contracts. "We are today 528 days away from 07/04/2026 and we are excited to celebrate this anniversary of our great country," Gallimore said in closing remarks.
The committee also reviewed Old Idaho Penitentiary staffing requests. Gallimore described a business plan that recommended increased educational programming and earned-revenue roles; the society filled earlier positions and is seeking additional staff (education and store management) funded from the penitentiary's miscellaneous revenue fund to expand student programming and earned-income capacity. Lawmakers asked for performance data showing the impact of prior hires on student counts and revenue; Gallimore said she would provide targeted metrics (the goal cited in testimony is to increase students served from about 6,000 to 12,000).
The historical society concluded the presentation by displaying artifacts—two silver service pieces associated with past ships named USS Idaho—and described a multi-year plan to curate items the state will loan to vessels and ensure their return and accession into state collections.
Ending: The committee accepted the presentation and asked for follow-up fiscal details on fundraising campaign returns, the America250 obligations, and metrics tied to Old Idaho Penitentiary staffing and revenue. No appropriation votes were taken during the hearing.
