AMERICAN FALLS — After two years in search of a new home, the Power County Museum Board is pleased to announce a grand reopening at the museum’s new location this Saturday.
The public can expect an art raffle, refreshments and speeches at noon from notable figures such as Idaho Rep. Rick Cheatum, American Falls Mayor Gilbert Hofmeister, County Commissioner Kryst Krein, Power County Museum Board Chair Janet Hubbs and Secretary Celia Klassen.
The reopening will be held at the museum’s new 592 Gifford Ave. location. Back in the fall of 2023, the Power County Courthouse Annex building where the museum was previously located was condemned — which means when the doors open this Saturday, the public will be seeing historical artifacts, photographs, records and more that have not been on display for over two years.
The search for a building that could fit the museum’s needs was a long one. It ended when Power County Hospital gifted the building, which rests on county land, to the county, explained Krein.
The board then got to work fixing it up, including sprucing up the roof, siding, floors and awning, an endeavor that cost roughly $150,000.
“If you look at what it’s going to save the county when it comes to just rent…the payback on this building will probably be around four years,” said Krein, who also lauded the Power County Museum Board for their tireless work and patience during the whole ordeal.
“We were able to do this and I think it’s absolutely beautiful now,” he said. “The museum board has been absolutely amazing…this has been a long process and the amount of work they’ve put in, just moving everything and getting everything (here) and trying to figure out where it will go, they deserve such kudos.”
With their feet now on firm ground, the museum board intends to get right back into business and provide the community with resources and opportunities to learn more about Power County’s history.
Rooms will be set up where the public can research the past, view historic books and digitize personal documents. Every quarter, the board will swap out the front room exhibit and highlight different aspects of the area. Klassen and Hubbs are also exploring the possibility of hosting historical tours throughout the town to highlight original buildings that were part of the original townsite before the dam was built in 1927.
With so many new opportunities, the museum board is excited to bring Power County’s history back to the public.
For more information, visit the Power County Museum’s Facebook page.