COEUR d'ALENE - It's no mystery why North Idaho's history is worth preserving and sharing.

Just ask Patricia Hoffman, management assistant for the Idaho State Historical Society.

"Idaho has a rich and diverse history, no place more so than the northern panhandle," she said. "Just before midnight on March 3, 1863, Congress voted to place what became the panhandle in Idaho rather than Washington. The next day, President Lincoln signed the act creating Idaho territory. Members of the House of Representatives believed what became the Idaho panhandle should be part of Washington, but the Senate won out, leaving Idaho as one of the most peculiarly shaped states in the nation."

The historical society's board of trustees, staff, friends and grant recipients will be applauding local community historical achievements during an evening of Gem State history, education and community from 5 to 6:30 tonight in the Driftwood Bay Room in North Idaho College's Edminster Student Union Building.

North Idaho STEM Charter Academy students Damia Olsen and McKenna Hughes will be giving a recap of their History Day presentation and discussing the significance of National History Day, an academic program facilitated by the Idaho State Historical Society to teach students critical thinking skills while cultivating a love of history. The students were both on the winning Idaho National History Day team and McKenna traveled to Washington, D.C., because of their work with the project.

The evening will also include presentations from Jim McReynolds, Wallace District Mining Museum and the Idaho Association of Museums; Melissa Bethel, Certified Local Government Grant recipient and staff liaison of the Sandpoint Historic Preservation Commission; Krister Allen, Sandpoint Historic Preservation Commission; Janet Gallimore, executive director of the Idaho State Historical Society; and Jody Ochoa, director of the Idaho State Historical Museum. Gallimore and Ochoa will give an overview of the Idaho State Historic Museum renovation and be asking for community input.

The evening will include light appetizers and a no-host bar.

Info: 334-2682