A traveling exhibition chronicling the early history and conservation efforts of Idaho’s constitution is coming to Coeur d'Alene.

The unveiling of "Creating and Conserving the Constitution" by the Idaho State Historical Society is set for 6 p.m. today at the Coeur d'Alene Public Library.

There will be a presentation from ISHS Reference Manager Elizabeth Westenburg.

“We are grateful to community members for investing in such an important project at a very critical time,” said ISHS Executive Director and Historic Preservation Officer Janet Gallimore.

The exhibit will be presented at the library until Aug. 26.

Idaho’s original constitution is 132 years old and was in rough shape before efforts to restore it began. The adhesive binding had failed and most of the text block was detached from the spine. An outdated lamination treatment had been applied to the first two pages and caused warping, distortions and red ink to bleed, due to humidity and grime and tears appeared on pages throughout the text block, a press release said.

It underwent extensive conservation work in 2019 by the University of Utah’s J. Willard Marriott Library Conservation Lab.

Head of Preservation Randy Silverman was able to address several of the 132-year-old document’s issues, thanks to a fundraising campaign by the Foundation for Idaho History.

"Idaho’s constitution contains 21 articles that act as supreme law for our state," the release said. "Although there are more than 100 amendments, it remains as it was drafted over 132 years ago."

Gallimore said, thanks to partnerships with Idaho Public Television and the Idaho Commission for Libraries, "we are able to share the history of Idaho’s most-important founding document, while promoting the essential work of the Idaho State Archives to communities across Idaho.”