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Museum reports on it's 2018 Idaho Day
celebrations |
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March 26, 2018 |
 The date was 1863, and the place somewhere far
north in Kootenai County. Settlers were coming
into the area, clearing land, preparing to build
homes and start farms. This became the setting
for an archaeology dig celebrating Idaho Day.
The Idaho Legislature, in 2014, established an
official Idaho Day to be observed each year on
March 4 to commemorate the creation of Idaho by
President Abraham Lincoln in 1863. Idaho was
observed this year on March 5, as the original
March 4 day fell on a Sunday. The Idaho
Statehouse in Boise was the scene of a special
proclamation read by Lieutenant Governor Brad
Little, and performances by the 25th Army Band,
a bugler from the Navy operational Support
Center, and Highlands Elementary School. Many
communities around the state presented their own
Idaho Day programs.
Here in Boundary County, there were
"archeological artifacts" that needed to be
discovered. Fourth grade students from Naples,
Mount Hall, and Valley View arrived at the
Boundary County Museum for the “dig.” In small
groups, students created a grid across a box
top, dividing the box into 9 blocks. A cadre of
volunteers from the Museum assisted each group
as they proceeded to uncover their treasures.
As they carefully began to excavate, using
simple tools such as plastic spoons, toothpicks,
and watercolor brushes, they sketched their
“findings” onto a paper grid. Such items as
Kootenai Tribal artifacts from the Museum’s
collection, feathers, berries, bones, animal
hair, and rock shards were recorded on the
groups’ grids. Sue Kemmis, Museum Curator,
engaged everyone in discussion of what the
objects may be and how they may have been used
by the early people of the area. The room was
filled with excited voices and ideas bouncing
around among the groups.
In all, 110 budding archaeologists participated
and enjoyed this special event. Just prior to
bus time, each student, teacher, assistants, bus
driver, and volunteer team leader received a
sugar cookie, cut in the shape of Idaho, with a
star for Bonners Ferry. Oh what a Dig! |
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