|
|
Boundary County Museum opens their summer season
with special presentation |
|
May 13, 2015 |
The Boundary County Museum kicked off their
summer season (and their summer hours) with a
big event last Saturday, May 9. Special
presentations were made throughout the day.
 The
museum had several informational activities,
including working with a metal lathe, presented
by Jim Hubbell, fly tying by Tom Emond, and
textiles, with Joan Myers operating a spinning
wheel, Deb Ackley on a loom, and Kathy Koenek
demonstrating tatting.
Those who stopped by the museum could also jump
right into "hands-on" art projects, or learn
about blacksmithing. The movie The Fish Between
the Falls was shown. This movie, much of which
was filmed right her in Boundary County, is
about efforts to re-establish sturgeon
populations in the Kootenai River.
Also on the agenda: free lunch for all who
attended.
Museum staff gave a special photo presentation
on the history of Boundary County, beginning
with the Kootenai Tribe as the original settlers
in the area. As fortune hunters streamed through
North Idaho following the discovery of gold in
Canada in 1863, Kootenai County, which covered
all of the panhandle of Idaho, was formed in
1864.
Among those traveling to Canada to seek their
fortunes was Edward L. Bonner and some of his
associates. However, as Mr. Bonner passed
through what is today Boundary County, he
immediately recognized the need, and the
business opportunity, for a ferry to help the
fortune hunters cross the Kootenai River.
He set up a ferry boat and trading post at the
Kootenai River, and over time a village
developed, which
eventually became known as Bonners Ferry.
The Museum's history presentation, given by
Susan Kemmis and Howard Kent, went on to cover
much of the early history of our area, including
the establishment of the town of Ockonook (which
is Porthill today), Bonners Ferry's first post
office, riverboats plying the Kootenai River,
area railroads, logging, and attempts at mining
in the area. They also reviewed the periodic
floods to the area.
In 1907, a new county was divided away from
Kootenai County. This new county was Bonner
County, and included what is today both Bonner
and Boundary Counties. In 1915, the new Boundary
County was created, that being 100 years ago,
and the reason our county is celebrating its
centennial year now in 2015.
The museum staff also made a presentation on
some of the history and culture of the Kootenai
Tribe.
Now, with the museum's summer hours, one can
visit on Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00
a.m. until 4:00 p.m. All are invited to stop in
and learn more about Boundary County's heritage.
|
|
|
|
Questions or comments about this
article?
Click here to e-mail! |
|
|
|
|
