POST FALLS — For the second month in a row, Post Falls leadership heard pleas for support and were urged to rally behind the continued use of the Chapin Building by the Post Falls Historical Society. 

Past President Kim Brown and Current President Kris King spoke of the businesses and city institutions that have occupied the space over its lifespan for the last 100 years at 101 E. Fourth St. 

“I heard that the city of Post Falls does not include this historic building in its long-range facility planning,” Brown said. “Of course, me being interested in history, that, you know is a red flag because we have very little here in Post Falls to hang our hats on.” 

The historical society has completed its Request for Proposal document together for the city, which came in at 22 pages and is intended to demonstrate how the organization will be able to sustain use of the building over the next decade. 

At the June 16 City Council meeting, Mayor Randy Westlund addressed the current situation concerning the Chapin Building as things currently stand and the tight budget situation city officials find themselves in after the state cut avenues for funding.   

“The building has been leased to the historical society and in lieu of rent, the agreement was, they would take care of the building,” Westlund said.   

When costs became too high to handle tenants due to persistent mold and leakage issues, Post Falls Historical Society approached city officials to help handle the rising costs.  

“The short version is, we don’t have the money,” Westlund stated in June. “We’ve been working on how we’re going to pay for health insurance and pay our police officers and dispatch and fill potholes in the streets.”  

No decision regarding the space has been made, but in February, City Administrator Shelly Enderud asked for letters of interest and site proposals from the community for the Chapin Building.   

The building is about 100 years old and valued at about $400,000 and the Post Falls Historical Society began the process a few years ago to have the Chapin Building listed on historic registers.  

Current President Kris King spoke with passion when it came her preserving the history of Post Falls as a newer resident. 

“I want to fight for this museum,” King said. 

She said that for 19 years, the historical society has done its part to preserve the building. 

“We invested about $80,000-$100,000 in that building,” King said. “We have created value in that building for you.” 

She spoke of hosting elementary students this year and going out of her way to ensure the children could experience the excitement of getting gum from a gumball machine. It was worth it for her to see the joy in the experience that the kids had while learning about the history of their home. 

“The best investments that we make are not measured in dollars, but they’re measured in memories that we have,” King said. “That is what the Chapin Building is in this community. It creates moments that create memories.” 

The historical society is open four days a week and offer private tours when their doors are closed. 

She expressed resistance in getting face time with city leadership and wants to get a better idea of what is being considered behind the scenes, calling the museum building, “a place to remind us who we are.” 

“The Chapin Building is more than a museum, it’s where grandparents tell the story to their grandchildren. It's where children discover the history of their hometown,” King said.

City Councilor Jack Mosby offered a suggestion after Westlund mentioned holding a future workshop to discuss the future of the Chapin Building. 

“It might be worth considering having it start with maybe a site visit, just a walkthrough to see what it is we’re talking about,” Mosby said. 

The response was met with applause from members of the historical society. 

Brown said after the council meeting concluded that she was more hopeful about a resolution in the future of the historical society. 

“It looks like we may get a chance to meet with city officials to do some good communication and collaboration on the importance of historic preservation as part of our town's identity, history and heritage and a respectful tribute to our citizens past and present,” Brown said. 

    City council members heard pleas from members of the Post Falls Historical Society Tuesday evening during public comments. From Left to right: Samantha Steigleder, Aaron Plew, Joe Malloy, Randy Westlund and Jack Mosby.