History Division
The Office of the City Historian is now the History Division of the Boise City Department of Arts and History.
Established in 2004 as a joint effort between the City of Boise and the Center for Idaho History and Politics at Boise State University, the City Historian worked out of the Mayor's Office as a research arm for the Mayor and City Council. In 2007, the Office transferred into the Arts Commission offices, and in March 2008 the two merged into the new Department of Arts and History. As part of the new department, the City Historian still performs research, with a new commitment to public education and outreach in preserving and promoting Boise's unique heritage.
The mission of the Office of the City Historian is to promote the understanding and appreciation of Boise’s history and culture through the development of programs, exhibits and publications that promote civic engagement, enrich the cultural life of the city, and lend historical perspective to city planning and urban renewal.
To contact the current City Historian:
historian@cityofboise.org or 433-5676
Historical Inquiries
The History Division fields public inquiries relating to the history of Boise. Some are answered in-house, others are referred to the agency best equipped to answer them accurately. We try to respond to all questions within two working days. Contact us at: cityhistorian@cityofboise.org.
The History Division maintains partnerships and contacts with other agencies such as the Boise Public Library, Idaho State Historical Society and Preservation Idaho. Between the many professional historians and librarians in the city, we are able to find answers to most questions we receive.
Research assistance can also be found through the Boise Public Library's Ask a Librarian service:
http://www.boisepubliclibrary.org/Research/Ask_a_Librarian/askalibrarianform.html
Walking Tours
The Department of Arts and History offers walking tours combining architecture, public art, and historical photos to recapture Boise’s lost past and emphasize the living history still to be found in the downtown streetscapes. Tours are available for free for groups of all ages. Tours can emphasize art, history, architecture or any combination of topics. Our primary theme for our 2008 walking tour is Boise's Urban Streetscapes.
To book a tour, contact:
City Historian
Josh Olson, Public Art Maintenance and Education Specialist
Boise History Website
In partnership with Boise State University, the History Division contributes to and maintains the Boise History website at
www.boisehistory.com
New galleries are coming soon!
More History Links:
Idaho State Historical Society/Historical Museum
Preservation Idaho