Idaho Black History Museum, Boise

Idaho Black History Museum, Boise

Founded in 1995, The Black History Museum works for the recognition of the contribution of black Americans. It explores the legacy of black people and black cultures in Idaho and across the world.

The museum is ensconced in Julia Davis Park, one of the jewels in the "Ribbon of Jewels" along the Boise River. The museum building is the former Saint Paul Baptist church. The church was built in 1921 by the African Americans of Boise. In 1982 the church was listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

In 1904 there was a wave of black migration to the city of Boise. Among the new arrivals was the Reverend William Riley Hardy. No sooner had he arrived he became the first pastor of the African American Church in Boise.

The church met wherever it could at first. There was a forgotten building on Main Street in downtown Boise. This was followed by the back room of Gottlieb Lach's Blacksmith Shop on South Street. Finally, in 1918 the Saint Paul Baptist Church lodged at the GAR Hall by the Capitol.

A plot of land was donated and Reverend Hardy, who also was a skilled carpenter, commenced the construction of a permanent home for the church. By 1994 the church faced overcrowding. It was replaced by the new Saint Paul's. The old church became the Idaho Black History Museum and it found a new home in Julia Davis Park in 1998.

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Idaho Black History Museum on Map

Sight Name: Idaho Black History Museum
Sight Location: Boise, USA (See walking tours in Boise)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Boise, Idaho

Create Your Own Walk in Boise

Create Your Own Walk in Boise

Creating your own self-guided walk in Boise is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Fort Street Historic District Walking Tour

Fort Street Historic District Walking Tour

The Fort Street Historic District roughly comprises 47 blocks, situated primarily within the 1867 plat of Boise City original townsite, and forms part of a larger area known locally as Boise's North End Preservation District. Upon its nomination, in 1982, for the National Register of Historic Places, the Fort Street district contained 318 buildings.

Over the years, this neighborhood has...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.8 Km or 1.1 Miles
Boise Introduction Walking Tour

Boise Introduction Walking Tour

For thousands of years the tree lined Boise River valley was home to the Shoshone people. They would meet here to trade with other tribes. The valley was congenial and the river full of salmon. It was a holy place for indigenous people.

The name "Boise" originated in the 1820s. The valley was thick with cottonwood trees. French Canadian trappers called it "La riviere boisee"...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles