Idaho Historical Society requests funds to consolidate archives, expand Old Pen operations and support America250 commemoration

The Idaho State Historical Society told the Joint Finance‑Appropriations Committee on July 1 that it is seeking spending authority for several projects: consolidation of scattered collections into the State Archives, additional staff at the Old Idaho Penitentiary to expand education and earned-revenue capacity, an archivist technician, and spending authority tied to the America250 commemorative portfolio.

Brooke Dupree, the committee analyst, reviewed the society’s FY26 requests and noted the agency’s responsibilities under state law (Idaho Code, title 67, chapter 41). Dupree said the society’s FY24 budget included a $1,000,000 fundraising appropriation that was split across funds and that the governor recommends the society’s FY26 package.

What the society is requesting - Janet Gallimore, director of the Idaho State Historical Society, told the committee the society is requesting one ongoing archivist technician ($62,900 and 1 FTP) to catalogue and digitize archival records, and a one‑time $450,000 request to begin moving collections into the Idaho State Archives building. Gallimore said the move will consolidate three off‑site storage facilities and is expected to involve roughly 30,000 boxes of records and about 50,000 three‑dimensional artifacts; planning estimates a roughly 10‑month moving period and a two‑fiscal‑year execution. - The society seeks ongoing staff at the Old Idaho Penitentiary to expand visitor education and increase earned income. Gallimore said the agency has implemented an interpretive and business plan for the penitentiary; initial hires are education staff and a rental/store manager meant to grow school visits and onsite revenue. The society set a target to increase student visits from about 6,000 to 12,000 as part of the site’s business plan. - The society reported $1,650,000 from the general fund for the America250 commemoration; Gallimore said approximately $1.4 million of that amount is already obligated to projects including curriculum work at Boise State, a public‑television documentary and grants to partner organizations. The society described an advisory council and partnerships with state agencies and educational institutions to coordinate commemorative activities.

Why spending authority is needed - Gallimore and staff explained that fundraising and grant awards often land in a society account but, under state accounting rules, large grants and federal awards require legislative spending authority to be expended. “We have to be able to have the ability to spend them,” Gallimore said, describing federal grants and large private donations that require audited accounting and DFM oversight before funds can be expended.

Collections and access - Senator Hart asked where archive materials are stored; Gallimore said the State Archives facility (in the penitentiary district) houses major holdings — photographs, government records, manuscripts and architectural drawings — and that some materials are already accessible online via Chronicling America and ArchivesSpace. The archivist position is intended to increase cataloguing and online discovery of territorial and gubernatorial records. - Gallimore described a phased move plan that will first transfer three‑dimensional collections and then archival boxes into expanded space at the State Archives building. The move is intended to improve environmental controls, security and public access while reducing costs associated with multiple remote sites.

Fundraising, exhibits and artifacts - The society displayed artifacts tied to the USS Idaho and briefed the committee on stewardship plans for items the Navy and other donors provided; Gallimore said state and society staff are coordinating long‑term plans to curate items that travel on naval vessels and return to Idaho collections.

Next steps and oversight - Committee members asked for follow‑up reporting on metrics the society will track — including student visit counts and revenue outcomes at the penitentiary — and for a more detailed list of funds raised and obligations related to the FY24 fundraising appropriation. Gallimore and staff agreed to provide committee members with additional financial and program data.

Ending note: Gallimore said the society plans to continue partnership work across agencies and with the governor’s task force to implement the America250 portfolio and to complete the collections consolidation in the coming fiscal years.