Museum collection

The Idaho State Historical Museum collects and preserves three-dimensional historic artifacts for the Idaho State Historical Society. The museum began collecting artifacts in 1907. Since that time, the museum's collection has grown to more than 250,000 items. Objects in the collection represent Idaho and the surrounding region from prehistory to the present and range from everyday household items to those used by famous Idaho citizens. The museum is nationally accredited by the American Association of Museums. A few items from our collection can be seen at the ISHS Digital Collections website.

The museum collection is vital to the Idaho State Historical Society's mission of preserving and promoting Idaho's cultural heritage. The collection is used most visibly at the Idaho State Historical Museum, Old Idaho Penitentiary State Historic Site, and J. Curtis Earl Memorial Exhibit where items from the collection are exhibited to interpret Idaho's rich history. Museum collection artifacts are also available for scholarly study by researchers or for loan to other institutions. Access to the collection depends upon available space, facilities, staff, donor restrictions, and material stability. The Idaho State Historical Society charges a fee for time the museum collections staff spends assisting researchers in the collection.

The Idaho Historical Museum accepts donations of historic artifacts that meet our mission of preserving and promoting Idaho's cultural heritage. If you have an artifact you are interested in donating to the Museum, please read an information sheet about artifact donations.

If you have any questions about the museum collection or donating artifacts to the museum, please contact a member of the collections staff.

Joe Toluse, Curator

(208) 334-2118

Rachelle Littau, Curatorial Registrar

(208) 334-2120 ext. 15

Sarah Tyler, Curatorial Registrar

(208) 334-2120 ext. 17