About Us

Our History

In the 1960s, the North Idaho Hoo Hoo Club, an organization of loggers, lumbermen and foresters, first entertained the idea of establishing a museum. They incorporated on May 1, 1968 for a museum focusing on the history of the Coeur d’Alene Region (Kootenai, Benewah and part of Shoshone counties).

Through the efforts of volunteers and community support, the Museum opened its doors on the North Idaho College campus on July 28, 1973. In 1979, they remodeled a City-owned building (former Cenex gas station) and relocated to its current location.

Members of the Coeur d'Alene Hoo Hoo members pose for a photo during the Forest Festival in 1961. Back Row: Carl Krueger, USFS; Clem Pederson, USFS; Walt Berry with Paul Bunyan Ax, Idaho Fish & Game; Bob Cook, USFS. Front row: Doug Edwards, PFI; Kyle Walker, C of C; Dick DeArmand, DeArmand-Joyner Lbr Co.; Larry Gardner, Mayor of Coeur d'Alene; Pat Flammia, Coeur d'Alene Studs.
Members of the Coeur d'Alene Hoo Hoo members pose for a photo during the Forest Festival in 1961. Back Row: Carl Krueger, USFS; Clem Pederson, USFS; Walt Berry with Paul Bunyan Ax, Idaho Fish & Game; Bob Cook, USFS. Front row: Doug Edwards, PFI; Kyle Walker, C of C; Dick DeArmand, DeArmand-Joyner Lbr Co.; Larry Gardner, Mayor of Coeur d'Alene; Pat Flammia, Coeur d'Alene Studs.
The original Museum of North Idaho building was located on the North Idaho College campus in the old Powder Magazine from the early fort days.
The original Museum of North Idaho building was located on the North Idaho College campus in the old Powder Magazine from the early fort days.

Our Facility

The Museum’s building is too small to accommodate our programming. For 40 years, the Museum has occupied a 4,000 sq. ft. building. The building does not have heat, forcing the museum to close during the 5 months of cold winter conditions. MONI also owns a 4,000 sq. ft. off-site storage building where a majority of exhibit materials and collections are stored.

In 2019, Ignite CDA transferred land valued at over $900K to the City of Coeur d’Alene intended for a museum. MONI signed a 25-year lease with the City to occupy this parcel. Next, MONI saved the beloved 1902 J.C. White House from demolition and moved this historic landmark to its new location to serve as the centerpiece to an expanded 11,300 sq. ft. facility.

Cenex gas station in 1978 before it was remodeled into the Museum of North Idaho.
Cenex gas station in 1978 before it was remodeled into the Museum of North Idaho.
Museum of North Idaho on Northwest Blvd in 1981.
Museum of North Idaho on Northwest Blvd in 1981.