The Bonneville Museum is housed in an Andrew Carnegie endowed building, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. The building was completed in 1916, when the city population was 6,000. By 1938 the population had risen to 15,000 and the building had become inadequate. The city, in conjunction with the Public Works Administration, began a remodeling project to modernize and enlarge the existing structure at a cost of $70,000. It is owned by the City of Idaho Falls and is leased to the Bonneville County Historical Society for the very favorable lease of one dollar per year.

In 1992, the small building and parking lot that were to the north were purchased by the society for $50,000 to use for parking and future building expansion. In 2000, native son and philanthropist Gregg Carr purchased the former Masonic Temple and the property to the north for expansion of the Bonneville Museum. That expansion has come to fruition with the beautiful expanded building that tripled the size of the former museum, now making it the largest museum in the state of Idaho.

Many artificats, photographs, and artistic interpretations are exhibited that depict the varied perspectives of our history.

Permanent Displays of natural history, early inhabitants and explorers, agriculture, mining, military, and nuclear energy are located on the main floor.

A Reading and Reference Room adjoining the main floor offers quiet access to historical documents, oral histories, videos, photographs, literature and other research information.

A small gift shop on the main floor helps support the museum.

Traveling Exhibits, Special Displays and Private Collections are regular additions to the museum's permanent exhibits and can be seen on the mezzanine of the museum.

A replica of Fred Keefer's Room on the mezzanine contains artifacts from the estate of this early pioneer.

Eagle Rock USA is situated in the lower level of the museum. It is a walk-through facsimile of the small 19th century community which later became Idaho Falls.

Also on the lower level is a Conference Room and Art Gallery featuring the works of local artists. It is used for seminars, presentations and programs.

Education

Guided tours of the museum for school children and other interested groups can be arranged. Free videos of Bonneville County history are available for public viewing in the conference room.

EAGLE ROCK GAZETTE, the BCHS newsletteris mailed to members.

Educational and informative publications, slide shows and videos are available at the museum.

Activities

Workshops of historical and cultural interest and programs honoring early pioneers are presented throughout the year.

Field trips to significant landmarks and historical sites are arranged each summer for interested BCHS members.

A self-guided walking tour of historical buildings in Idaho Falls is mapped and outlined in a brochure available at the museum.

Hours of Admission

EX OFFICIO TRUSTEE MEMBERS: Daytona Dayton, John Commander.

Bonneville County Historical Society
Elm Street and Eastern Avenue
P.O. Box 1784
Idaho Falls, ID 83403
208-522-1400
Updated January 23, 2003: Webmaster