State historical society requests funds to consolidate archives, staff Old Pen and support America250 projects

Janet Gallimore, director of the Idaho State Historical Society, told the Joint Finance-Appropriations Committee on Oct. 24, 2025, that the agency is seeking appropriations and spending authority for a multi-year consolidation of its collections, additional staff for the Old Idaho Penitentiary and funding tied to America250 commemorations.

The society requested multiple items in its FY2026 package, including: $103,200 ongoing (a portion from Old Pen miscellaneous revenue) to support Old Pen staff positions; an archivist technician position ($62,900 ongoing and 1 FTP) to catalog and digitize records; a $450,000 one-time request to cover initial moving costs for consolidation of off-site collections; and re-appropriation authority related to a $1,650,000 general-fund allocation for America250 activities that the agency said is largely obligated to partner projects.

Gallimore described a multi-phase plan to consolidate three off-site storage facilities into expanded space at the Idaho State Archives. "[The off-site facilities] were built in the sixties and they are no longer really, able to take care of these artifacts the way that you all would want us to," she said, explaining the need to modernize storage and improve public access. The site consolidation is expected to span two fiscal years and to involve moving approximately 30,000 boxes of records and tens of thousands of three-dimensional artifacts, Gallimore said.

The agency also discussed the Old Idaho Penitentiary. Gallimore said staff additions are intended to expand educational programming and earned revenue at the site; she cited a target of increasing student visits from about 6,000 to 12,000 as part of that plan. Lawmakers asked for data showing early results from staffing additions the agency made last year. Gallimore said the positions were newly implemented after July 1 and that staff will compile and provide performance data to the committee.

On fundraising and spending authority, Gallimore explained the distinction between funds raised through the society’s foundation and other grants that require legislative spending authority. "There are some ways we can raise funds through the foundation... but if you're talking about large federal grants or large foundation grants that require an audit and require the assurance of the government, that's why we have that spending authority," she said. The society described an ongoing fundraising campaign—roughly $2 million for Old Pen improvements—and estimated routine earned and donated revenue at about $250,000 per year for education grants and related services.

Gallimore also recounted the agency's America250 work, describing partnerships with Boise State University, Idaho Public Television and others to produce content, curriculum and exhibits tied to the 2026 national commemoration. She said about $1.4 million of the $1.65 million appropriation is already obligated to partner contracts and projects; the committee was told those obligations followed legal review and memoranda of understanding with partner organizations.

The meeting concluded with the society presenting two artifacts associated with ships named USS Idaho—a silver cake tray and an engraved fruit tray—items the society said will be curated and preserved for future display as part of an ongoing relationship with the ship’s commission. Committee members were invited to view the artifacts after adjournment.

No formal votes were taken; the committee asked the agency for follow-up documentation on fund balances, Old Pen performance metrics and a detailed plan and timeline for the multi-year collections move.