Idaho State Archives

10/03/2026

Vocational schools such as the Intermountain Institute, established in Weiser near the turn of the 20th Century, were opened across Idaho in order to give young people productive skills that could help them find employment in any number of growing post-industrial fields. The Intermountain Institute provided live-in accommodations for both boys and girls, making this type of schooling a full-time experience. The Institute later served as the Weiser High School, and many of the campus buildings remain today, hosting events like the Weiser Old-Time Fiddler's Festival every year.



Photo citations: P2019-004-046 Machine shop Idaho Falls, P2019-004-003 Slocum Hall Weiser boys dorm, P2019-004-014 Living room girls residence Weiser, P2019-004-036 BJC Machine shop, P2019-004-030 CDA Jr College sewing, P2019-004-048 BJC Radio Shop, P2019-004-024 Weiser Machine Shop (P2019-004 Loren Basler Estate)

09/26/2026

Now Open in the Temporary Exhibit Gallery!

47 Counties – 1 Gem State:
Celebrating the history of Idaho’s counties
Today, Idaho is comprised of 44 counties, each with its own unique character and history. This exhibit celebrates that uniqueness – featuring one archival record from each of Idaho’s 44 extant counties, and 3 of its defunct counties.

Open through Spring 2027

map citation: G4270_S1_1881_IdahoTerr page 94

09/19/2026

Idaho may be famous for potatoes, but it seems we made an impression on international fish connoisseurs in 1964. As reported in The Wendell Irrigationist on October 8, 1964, the “World Famous Snake River Trout farm … was host Friday to 40 French Fish culturists who are touring rainbow trout farms throughout the United States.” According to the article, the visitors were treated to a rainbow trout luncheon with corn on the cob (a novelty to the French visitors) and “a very thorough exchange of ideas and information” via French-English interpreters and bilingual members of the group.


Newspaper citation: The Wendell Irrigationist, October 8, 1964

09/12/2026

Millions of young men joined the Civilian Conservation Corps, a public relief program that provided employment after the Great Depression (1933-1942). The boys who joined the service would earn a monthly wage for themselves while the majority of their wages went home to their families. Idaho benefited widely from the work of the CCCs and many of those young men eventually made Idaho their home. We have a large collection of donated CCC materials (MS683) from those who experienced life in Idaho camps.



Photo citation: MS683 Box 5 F1 Co. 538 library (Anderson 008), MS 683 Box 5 F26 Men working on Bridge, MS683 Box 5 F2 Aviano Warm Springs Camp F-81 Ketchum

09/03/2026

On Friday and Saturday the Historical Society is hosting sessions of the Idaho Downwinders informational workshops for applicants of the Radioactive Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) at the Idaho State Museum.

Because the Idaho State Archives is expecting a large turnout of downwinders looking for proof of residency documentation, we have closed the Reading Room to archival pull requests. Thank you for your patience!

08/29/2026

Join the team at the Idaho State Historical Society!

The Idaho State Archives, a division of the Idaho State Historical Society, is recruiting for two (2) full-time Archivist Technician positions.

The Archivist Technicians will provide a high level of paraprofessional program support and promote Idaho State Archives' services. This position will process archival collections using complex inventory control procedures and best practices, provide access to public records through virtual and in-person reference services, and assist in preserving Idaho’s historical records.

Learn more and apply at history.idaho.gov/careers.

Applications will be accepted through 11:59 PM MST on 9/7/2026.

08/29/2026

One of our dedicated volunteers has completed an item-level inventory for the Carey Act applications, certifications, and proof entries in the American Falls irrigation tract. This set of records captures the early history of irrigation in Idaho, and provides insight into federal land programs meant to encourage settlement in the arid desert west.

Ask for the Carey Act (AR20) and look for them by name!



Photo citation: AR20 Bureau of Reclamation Box 17 Folder 70c May271910 page 14 image 17 (20040305)

07/11/2026

We hope you all had a Super Bang of a 4th of July for America's 250th anniversary💥🎉



Photo citation: P1992-30-101-5 children in yard Super Bang 4th of July

06/04/2026

The archives has recently accepted a number of donations for yearbooks from rural areas such as Ammon, Kimberly, and Notus for the 1951-1962 periods covered by the Radioactive Exposure Compensation Act (RECA) that may be able to help downwinders prove their residency.

We're always grateful to the public who donate their historical items, and in this case, we hope that these will help others!
Check our yearbook holdings, here.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1uo3HzXBdJFuaYG32kqnkFjUpOvRoFGA_4klbfstBbSY/edit?gid=2118077610 =2118077610

06/01/2026

https://idahocapitalsun.com/2026/05/29/the-government-is-paying-idahoans-who-got-sick-after-nuclear-bomb-tests-heres-how-some-get-proof/

Idahoans are newly eligible for $100,000 in compensation from the federal government for illnesses linked to nuclear weapon tests.