Idaho
Art, History & Archaeology Sites & Museums
The mountainous state of Idaho is a place of much natural beauty, being one of the three states across which the Yellowstone National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is spread. At the time of European contact, Idaho was home to indigenous groups like the Kutenai, the Nez Percé, the Northern Paiute, and the Shoshone, with “Idaho” itself meaning “gem of the mountains” in the Shoshone language. The early 19th century saw fur traders and Christian missionaries move into the area, which was then part of Oregon Territory. Idaho only became a distinct territory in 1863, shortly after the discovery of gold and the ensuing rapid growth in population – it then became the 43rd state in 1890.
Archaeology & History Sites in Idaho
Minidoka National Historic Site
During the Second World War, in which the U.S. battled against Japan, the government interned Japanese Americans, fearing that they may be enemy agents. The Minidoka National Historic Site preserves one such internment camp, where 90,00 people were imprisoned on the basis of their ethnicity between 1942 and 1945. In 2001, the site was declared a national monument by President Bill Clinton, after which efforts were made to return it to its 1940s appearance.
Museums & Art Galleries in Idaho
Museum of Idaho
Located in Idaho Falls, the Museum of Idaho is one of the state’s largest museums, showcasing both its human history and its older, natural history. Among the features of interest to archaeological explorers are the early 19th century Andrew Henry Rock, which includes the oldest known example of written English ever recovered in Idaho, and ‘Eagle Rock, a replica frontier town street. The museum also hosts a substantial archive devoted to state history.
