How decisions are made about preserving Idaho's artifacts

BOISE — What’s the difference between an artifact and old junk? What gets saved and displayed in museums, and what gets abandoned and left to deteriorate? Who makes the decisions on which buildings to preserve, and which structures are lost to time? In the new documentary "Preserving Our American Memories," our local history series "Idaho Experience" explores preservation priorities and challenges in the Gem State. 

"Preserving Our American Memories" features artifacts and historic buildings across the state that tell Idaho’s stories, including the Merci Train, the Pierce Logging Museum, the historic Bear Lake County Courthouse, Manard School Monument in Camas County, and museums in Hailey, Franklin and Post Falls. The program highlights individuals whose drive and passion for history have helped tell Idahoans’ stories across generations through physical objects and structures. It examines what happens when those preservation efforts fail.  

“Like every Idahoan, I’ve often visited historic buildings and museums, but I never put much thought into why some objects are saved and put on display while others aren’t,” said producer Melissa Davlin.  

"Preserving Our American Memories" on "Idaho Experience" airs Thursday, July 30, at 8:30 p.m., and again Sunday, Aug. 2, at 7:30 p.m., on Idaho Public Television. It will be available for streaming on demand at video.idahoptv.org and on the PBS app beginning July 30. 

About Idaho Public Television 

An entity of the Idaho State Board of Education, Idaho Public Television is a statewide multimedia network with transmitters and translator stations that reach nearly 100% of Idaho households through free over-the-air broadcasts. IdahoPTV broadcasts across five digital channels via five full-power transmitters (KAID, Boise; KCDT, Coeur d’Alene; KIPT, Twin Falls; KISU, Pocatello; and KUID, Moscow) and offers streaming content and educational resources on its website, idahoptv.org. IdahoPTV is among the most-watched PBS affiliate networks per capita in the United States. The mission of Idaho Public Television is to “harness the power of public media to encourage lifelong learning, connect our communities, and enrich the lives of all Idahoans. We tell Idaho's stories.”