Idaho State Historic Preservation Office

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Idaho State Historic Preservation Office The SHPO encourages the preservation, documentation, and use of Idaho's cultural resources.

Idaho Stage Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) educates the public about the importance of Idaho’s cultural heritage. Idaho’s historic, archaeological, and cultural resources represent the physical and tangible manifestations of our history; they reflect who we were, where we came from, where we are now, and help shape our outlook for the future. By protecting, preserving, and understanding these important resources, we span the past, the present, and the future, not as separate events or periods, but as an ongoing narrative. These resources provide economic, educational, and intrinsic value today and for future generations. The SHPO works to ensure the state’s historic and archaeological properties are preserved, interpreted, and reused.

Please join us in welcoming Erik Cordes to Idaho SHPO! Erik is joining the Idaho State Historic Preservation Office as o...
10/19/2026

Please join us in welcoming Erik Cordes to Idaho SHPO!

Erik is joining the Idaho State Historic Preservation Office as our new Historic Preservation Planner and Certified Local Government (CLG) Coordinator. Erik has experience in historic preservation, historical research, cultural resource documentation, public outreach, and working with local preservation programs throughout Idaho. Early in his preservation career, he also completed an internship with Idaho SHPO, assisting with National Register documentation and historical research.

Erik earned his master’s degree in Applied Historical Research from Boise State University in 2025. Most recently, he has worked in the private sector conducting archival and historical research, documenting historic properties, and assisting with cultural resource reports for projects across Idaho. He also previously worked for the Idaho Transportation Department, where his work included cultural resource mitigation, historical research, and public outreach.

In his new role, Erik will coordinate Idaho’s Certified Local Government program, working directly with communities and local historic preservation commissions across the state. He’ll provide technical assistance to local preservation programs, help administer CLG grants, support preservation planning and public outreach, and serve as an important connection between SHPO and communities working to identify and preserve their historic resources.

We’re excited to have Erik join the SHPO team. His knowledge of Idaho history, experience with historic resource documentation, and background working with local communities and preservation partners will be a great addition to our office.

Welcome to SHPO, Erik!

Way to Go Weiser! Congratulations to the City of Weiser on their recent National Register nomination! Work on documentin...
10/16/2026

Way to Go Weiser!

Congratulations to the City of Weiser on their recent National Register nomination! Work on documenting and designating the Weiser High School Gymnasium was done with Weiser Historic Preservation Commission and SHPO. Thank you to everyone who participated in making this nomination a success!

Commissioned through the Public Works Administration and designed by Francis K. Hummel of Tourtellotte and Hummel Architects, the Weiser High School Gym and Auditorium was completed in 1937. The building served as a crucial part of the educational makeup for Weiser and follows the commitment of the government to improve communities and infrastructure during the Great Depression. Beyond being a place for athletics and education, musical and theatrical performances were also held there over the course of its history. Today it is still used by the local middle school and is an excellent example of the Moderne architectural design with its stylish embellishments adding a hint of Stripped Classicism to the two-story building.

Keep up the great work Weiser! We look forward to working with you on future preservation projects!

Help shape our growing team and lead historic preservation efforts in Idaho!The Idaho State Historic Preservation Office...
10/15/2026

Help shape our growing team and lead historic preservation efforts in Idaho!

The Idaho State Historic Preservation Office is hiring a Senior Compliance Architectural Historian. This is an opportunity to bring your experience, ideas, and leadership to a team dedicated to protecting Idaho’s historic places.

In this role, you’ll help guide Section 106 reviews, mentor compliance staff, and work with agencies, Tribes, communities, and preservation partners across the state. Your expertise will help shape both our team and how we serve Idaho.

Ready to make an impact? We’d love to hear from you!

Learn more and apply: https://gen-idaho-prd.tam.inforgov.com/hcm/xmlhttp/shorturl.do?key=QCK

Calling all CLGs! The Idaho State Historic Preservation Office is excited to announce the upcoming 2027 Certified Local ...
10/13/2026

Calling all CLGs!

The Idaho State Historic Preservation Office is excited to announce the upcoming 2027 Certified Local Government Grants. Applications will open November 2, 2026 through January 31, 2027. Approximately $100,000 is available exclusively for our certified partners. Individual grant requests may range from $5,000 to $20,000. CLG grants are reviewed on a competitive basis, it is important that CLGs carefully plan out their proposed projects and submit a strong application.

For FY27, granting priority areas include:

1. Surveys and National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) Nominations
2. Developing/updating local historic preservation plans
3. Projects related to underrepresented communities
4. Local or National training opportunities (CAMP/NAPC training)

To inquire about this year’s grants please contact SHPO at (208) 488-7473 or [email protected] for assistance or project discussions.

The Idaho State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) will be closed on Monday, October 12, in observance of Columbus Day ...
10/09/2026

The Idaho State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) will be closed on Monday, October 12, in observance of Columbus Day / Indigenous Peoples’ Day. We will reopen on Tuesday, October 13. Thank you!

Congratulations to the City of Parma on its historic recognition! The Idaho State Historic Preservation Office is excite...
10/08/2026

Congratulations to the City of Parma on its historic recognition!

The Idaho State Historic Preservation Office is excited to celebrate the Parma State Bank in Parma, Canyon County, Idaho, as it is officially listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Completed in 1918, the Parma State Bank is an exceptional example of Classical Revival architecture. Designed by James M. Fennell of Wayland and Fennell Architects, the building features an impressive sandstone exterior and elaborate architectural details that reflect the prosperity and growth of Parma during the early twentieth century.

For nearly 60 years, the building served as an important financial institution in the community, supporting Parma's developing agricultural economy through periods of prosperity and hardship. In 1976, the building was donated to the City of Parma, beginning a new chapter in its history. Since 1978, it has served as the community's public library, continuing its legacy of public service.

The nomination to National Register was made possible by financial support from the Canyon County Historic Preservation Commission, and technical assistance from Preservation Idaho.

Congratulations to Canyon County, the City of Parma, and everyone involved in preserving and recognizing this important piece of Idaho history!

10/07/2026

Come join our team!

The Idaho State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO) is now hiring a Senior Compliance Architectural Historian!

This position plays a key role in Idaho’s historic preservation program, reviewing federal projects under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act and evaluating historic built-environment resources for eligibility for the National Register of Historic Places. The Senior Compliance Architectural Historian works with federal and state agencies, Tribal Historic Preservation Offices, local governments, consultants, and the public to identify and address potential effects to Idaho’s historic resources.

Responsibilities include reviewing cultural resource documentation, making National Register eligibility and project-effect determinations, conducting occasional site visits, developing measures to avoid, minimize, or mitigate adverse effects, and developing agreement documents such as Memoranda of Agreement and Programmatic Agreements. The position also provides technical assistance and training and supervises and mentors compliance staff.

Qualified applicants must meet the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualification Standards for Architectural History or Historic Preservation and have experience with Section 106 consultation.

If you are an experienced architectural historian or historic preservation professional interested in helping protect Idaho’s historic built environment, we encourage you to apply and join our team!

For more information, including salary, as well as to start an application, please visit: https://gen-idaho-prd.tam.inforgov.com/hcm/xmlhttp/shorturl.do?key=QCK

Application closes October 12, 2026.

Join us in welcoming Gabriel Boghosian to SHPO as the office's new Compliance Archaeologist! Gabe comes to Idaho from ...
10/06/2026

Join us in welcoming Gabriel Boghosian to SHPO as the office's new Compliance Archaeologist!

Gabe comes to Idaho from the Bureau of Land Management’s Needles Field Office in California, where he worked in cultural resource management, conducting archaeological fieldwork, documenting cultural resources, managing records and GIS data, and preparing cultural resource findings and determinations. He also worked as an archaeological field technician with the Bridger-Teton National Forest and in private-sector cultural resource management.

Gabe recently earned his Master’s degree in Archaeology and Cultural Resource Management from Utah State University, where his studies focused on cultural resource management and Section 106. His background includes archaeological survey, site identification and documentation, GIS, and evaluating cultural resources.

At SHPO, Gabe will be part of our Compliance Team, reviewing federal projects under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act. He’ll work with federal and state agencies, consultants, Tribes, and other consulting parties to review archaeological investigations, evaluate historic properties, assess project effects, and help agencies navigate the Section 106 consultation process.

Gabe is relocating from the considerably warmer climate of Needles, California, and is particularly excited about having access to night skiing and snowboarding here in Idaho. He also has a German Shepherd, so I suspect both Gabe and his dog may appreciate the change in climate!

We’re excited to have Gabe joining the SHPO team. Welcome to Idaho, Gabe!

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210 Main Street
Boise, ID
83702

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Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

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