January 2026 Promo Codes – Save with Museum of Idaho Up to 70%

Museum of Idaho founded in 1898 by the women of falls, Idaho, to beautify and bring culture to the dusty frontier town -- received a $15,000 grant from the Carnegie Foundation to build a public library at the corner of east main street and elm street. Built between 1914 and 1916, the Idaho falls public library served the residents of the town until 1977, when the building was expanded and moved a few blocks. Meanwhile, Museum of Idaho county historical society (BCHS), which focuses on buildings, opened a small museum in the basement of the county courthouse in 1979. BCHS lobbied to preserve the library building, placed it on the national register and converted it into a historic site in 1983 to raise money for its renovation. The Bonneville Museum moved in in 1985.