It’s official.
The newly renovated Idaho State Museum is now open in Boise.
Gov. Butch Otter and first lady Lori Otter cut the ribbon Friday morning, marking the opening.
The renovation took four years and nearly $17 million, but the remodeled museum offers an educational and interactive experience for children and adults. Most of the investment came from state tax dollars but 500 donors contributed more than $4 million.
The building hosts 46 multimedia elements that illustrate events such as the stampede for gold, crossing the Oregon Trail and surviving the Big Burn of 1910. Click here to read more about the museum.
Opening weekend events
The museum is offering a full opening weekend of family activities and celebrations, including:
- Food trucks.
- Hands-on activities for children.
- Potato sack races.
- Gold panning.
- Gallery talks.
- Cultural performances.
- A photo booth.
Those planning to visit the museum this weekend are encouraged to find alternative transportation to Julia Davis Park, since parking will be limited. On Saturday, Boise State University’s Department of History will provide a shuttle from two Downtown locations from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Pickup and dropoff will occur approximately every half hour from the north side of Boise State’s Brady Street Garage and Clearwater Analytics.
The public can find admission information and learn about the weekend’s activities by visiting the museum’s Facebook page.
Admission is $10 for adults with discounts for children, seniors, military and others. Weekend hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. The location is 610 N. Julia Davis Drive, Boise.
