MOVING HISTORY FORWARD…To Our New Home
Currently, The Museum of North Idaho occupies a 4,371 square foot building that is scheduled for demolition. After 40 years in the same facility, The Museum collection of artifacts has grown and the space is too small to house exhibits, artifacts, photographs and archives, and staff and programs.
Wonderful artifacts and artwork, which should be on exhibit, are locked away in an off-site storage building due to lack of space. Since our current building has insufficient space to fit our growing needs, our long-term ability to disseminate historic knowledge through educational programming and outreach hinges upon having a new facility.
The current Museum does not have heat, forcing us to close to the public during the cold winter months (November-March) in Northern Idaho.
While our space limitations have created a sense of family among employees and volunteers, the facilities are cramped. MNI is a 501(c)(3) non-profit governed by a board of directors. The board is charged with reviewing MNI activities in relation to our mission and overall performance. They are also responsible for long range planning. It is apparent to the board that reliability and sustained programming excellence requires a new facility.
The Museum of North Idaho is planning to construct a new expanded 13,300 sq. ft. facility to house exhibits, art, and educational resources.
The new, expanded facility will include climate-controlled space that conforms with modern museum standards for artifact preservation.
A new building allows us the opportunity to bring together stakeholders to participate in creating exhibits that identify and represent the culture and history of our three-county region (the Coeur d'Alene Region) to the residents, both new and old, as well as tourists who make up about 40% of our visitors.
The Museum of North Idaho collects, displays and interprets the material culture of our community. From this project future programming will help newcomers and long-time residents gain an understanding of our history and how knowing this history can help shape a brighter future.
Economic Driver: MNI creates a vibrant economy by attracting outside investment and driving tourism. The Moving History Forward Project site is close to the heart of Coeur d’Alene. MNI has an opportunity to establish ourselves as an anchor in the community and as keepers of our area’s stories that reflect our rich culture and heritage.
Educational Asset: MNI collaborates with regional educational institutions. The new museum will create learning experiences that engage visitors and provide tools for communication. Through the language of the artifacts displayed, we find a common understanding of our history and the cultures that shaped it.
Civic Catalyst: MNI helps define our civic identity. The core of our mission is for curators and stake holders to construct exhibits tailored to learning. It’s this knowledge and meaning that creates ongoing dialog and inspires visitors to create a positive change in our communities.
Bridges Between Cultures: MNI exhibits ensure a deeper understanding and fosters an appreciation for various groups and cultures. Through better understanding of our collective heritage, we can better understand ourselves. The new museum will also serve future generations to comprehend their history and the achievements of those who came before them.
Develop Spaces Where Everyone Feels They Can Belong and Participate: MNI strives to create a rich learning experience for individuals of all backgrounds, so that visitors leave with a sense of themselves in the story of creating a positive future. A museum should be accessible to all. Programming in an ADA-compliant building allows all to participate. A larger space will allow MNI to partner with local universities, native tribes and arts organizations to produce relevant programming.
We have secured a long-term lease with the City of Coeur d'Alene on land near 8th and Young, South of City Hall, where we will build the new museum. The land was made possible through collaborative efforts with the City, ignite cda, the Tubbs Hill Foundation and the Museum. The recently moved J.C. White House will be open for public use with a regional history library and serve as the centerpiece for two new wings housing exhibits.
Our goal is to raise $4 Million for the renovation of the White House, and construction of the east and west lower levels, which will provide a total 13,300 sq ft.
Dynamic and interactive exhibit spaces and outdoor gathering spaces, including:
- A new, interactive Lake Coeur d’Alene Interpretive Exhibit
- How the Great Flood and geology shaped and influenced our history
- Schitsu’umsh, “The People Who Were Discovered Here”
- How railroads, steamboats, and roads shaped our region
- The history of the families that built their lives here
- Historic works of art that have been in storage
- A new Tubbs Hill Interpretive walk
- A regional history library with access to thousands of original documents and books that have been in storage, and over 36,000 photographs
- Meeting space for lectures and educational activities
WHITE HOUSE NAMING OPPORTUNITIES
The J.C. White House Wraparound Porch is as iconic as the house and as J.C. White himself.
(3 sides) $75,000
~RESERVED The Expanded Gift Shop and Bookstore on the Main Level are open to the public and provide unique gifting opportunities for researchers, history enthusiasts, and art lovers.
(408 Sq. Ft.) $100,000
The Welcome Center and Entryway on the Main Level will be an elegant setting in which to greet our guests.
(660 Sq. Ft.) $150,000
The History and Research Library on the 2nd Floor will house the Region’s Largest Repository of historic books, manuscripts, ephemera, and printed materials on local history in North Idaho. Researchers will have access to these archives as well as 36,300 historic photographic images. (976 Sq. Ft.) $200,000
The Conference/ Meeting Space on the 2nd floor is available for public use. Surrounded by windows, adjacent to the library, this peaceful setting is the perfect backdrop for lectures and meetings.
(294 Sq. Ft.) $100,000
The Lower West Wing features Daylight Windows and will house a Gallery of Historic Paintings, Sculptures, and Other Works of Art. The Museum of North Idaho will be the Region’s First Repository for Historic Works of Art.
(3,500 Sq. Ft) $1M
The Lower East Wing features Permanent and Traveling Exhibits. The New Lake Coeur d’Alene Interpretive Exhibit will be a sensory experience. New exhibits will use state-of-the-art technologies to create interactive exhibits. Additionally, there will be Rotating Exhibit Space.
(4,000 Sq. Ft.) $1M
The Lower Level Under the Historic J.C. White House provides essential space for Exhibits, Administrative Offices, and Storage.
(approx. 1,700 Sq. Ft.) $250,000
Donor Wall Giving Levels in the Welcome Center
$500,000- PLUS
$100,000-$499,999
$50,000 - $99,999
$25,000 -$49,999
$10,000 - $24,999
$5,000 - $9,999
Capital Campaign Cost Breakdown
1: Restore White House, 5,800 square feet: $580,000
2: Site Development, 60,000 square feet: $720,000
3: East lower Education Wing, 4,000 square feet: $800,000
4: West lower Exhibit Wing, 3,500 square feet: $700,000
Design fees, exhibits, furnishings* $1,200,000
TOTAL PROJECT/ CAMPAIGN GOAL $4,000,000
*$1,200,000 in design fees, exhibits and furnishings will be distributed proportionately as a cost for each of the above aspects of the project.
Make a tax deductible donation to the building fund.
Pledge over a span of years.
Make a tax deductible in-kind donation.
Tell people about the importance of the Museum and encourage them to donate.
For Donation Questions contact
Jocelyn Whitfield-Babcock 509-294-2080, miltonstreetscribe@gmail.com or
Jim Faucher 208-660-0571, jimfaucher@gmail.com
Make checks payable to the Museum of North Idaho and mail to PO Box 812, Coeur d'Alene ID 83816
