A chance find by a local librarian has opened a door to the past.

The Anderson Family Bible is an ornately bound tome dating back to 1855. It reveals the history of a family that emigrated from Scotland to Canada with descendants who ultimately came to Coeur d'Alene and became an integral part of a burgeoning town's creative culture.

"It's really something," said Courtney Beebe, a volunteer historian with the Museum of North Idaho.

The Wilma Theatre that once stood at Second Street and Sherman Avenue was originally the Huff Theatre, built in 1936 by Nicholas Eugene "N.E." Huff. It boasted carpeting, comfortable seats, hanging silk panels and modern projectors and sound.

Huff was married to Vera Anderson, a musician for the Dream Theatre, which was owned and managed by Huff. The Dream once stood at 214 Sherman Ave.

N.E. and Vera were married Sept. 9, 1920. N.E. was 51; Vera was 25. They became one of Coeur d'Alene's early power couples, bolstering the entertainment scene and eventually constructing the Huff Apartments.

Their origin story and the stories of their kin are inked on the pages of the Anderson Family Bible, which was presented by Pam Heath and Laura Dabney to curious history enthusiasts Wednesday at the Coeur d'Alene Library. Kootenai County Genealogical Society secretary Heath and research coordinator Dabney conducted an abundance of research on the Anderson family over the course of a year and a half, finding further information about births, deaths, marriages, places lived, U.S. Census information, vocations worked and everything they could.

Jane Robertson of Post Falls was most impressed with the research. Judy Gordon of Coeur d'Alene enjoyed hearing about the process of finding information and images.

"I love the addresses," Robertson said.

"And how close they are to where I live," Gordon added. "I was like, 'Oh that's just down the street.'"

Members of the Anderson and Huff families lived in houses on Military Drive as well as Fifth Street.

"I enjoyed the photographs they were able to find, amazing," said Karen Smuts of Post Falls. "The interior of the theaters and viewing the vintage music."

As they had no children, the Huff estate was turned over to the Salvation Army after their deaths. N.E. died Jan. 18, 1955, at age 86. Vera died April 23, 1963, at 65. They're interred together in Forest Cemetery.

The bulk of their assets were auctioned off. Proceeds from the sale of their Fifth Street home went to the Salvation Army.

The Anderson Family Bible was delivered to the committee in charge of the Fort Sherman Chapel, along with Vera’s pipe organ. Vera’s piano was sold to a private buyer. 

The Bible remained at the chapel until it was moved to Coeur d’Alene Bible Church. The family of Hayden Library librarian Naomi Strom came into possession of the family Bible. Strom asked the Kootenai County Genealogical Society to look into the Anderson Family Bible and share the findings.

Beebe said the Anderson family's story is reflective of the migration pattern to North Idaho.

"We think people came from the East Coast and then settled, but they actually came from Canada and from the South, just because North Idaho was settled so much later than the rest of the country," Beebe said. "It's significant that they came and built a business, and they're reflective of how people do that. They're just a good example."

She said stories of how average people lived, worked and died is called "social history."

"It's a good way to connect to the people who have actually moved here since then," she said. "Fascinatingly, the Wilma was here and in Missoula. The Wilma still operates in Missoula; it's still an independent theater."

The Anderson Family Bible is now at the Museum of North Idaho. Throughout the research, Heath and Dabney were unable to find any photographs of Vera, who was often behind the scenes rather than in front of the camera. If anyone in the community has a photo or image of Vera, contact the museum at 208-664-3448.

Strom posted a podcast to YouTube on the Anderson Bible Research Project. Visit youtube.com for Strom's presentation. 

    Unlabeled photos found in the Anderson Family Bible.
  

    A page from Vera Huff's collection of music sheets. This one is signed with her maiden name, Vera Anderson.
  

    This photo may have been taken in the Dream Theatre or the Coeur d'Alene Auditorium, which burned down between 1904-1908. If it is the Dream, it may be the only known photo of Vera Huff, who may be sitting at the piano in front of the stage with her back to the audience. Anyone with photos of Huff is encouraged to share them with the Museum of North Idaho.
  

    Laura Dabney presents research on the Anderson Family Bible during a presentation Wednesday at the Coeur d'Alene Library.
  

    The Anderson Family Bible, filled with information and photos of those who lived and died between 1855-1963.