Museum to sponsor a historic tour of the Pend Oreille River

SANDPOINT — History isn’t something you only find in museums. It’s all around us. It’s on the roads we travel, the buildings we inhabit and the voices who tell the stories of days gone by. 

This spring, the Bonner County Historical Society and Museum is sponsoring a Drive & Discover Tour that will take participants back in time.

“We want everyone to venture out and discover the living past all around us," BCHSM Executive Director Hannah Combs said. "People can hit the road and uncover the Pend Oreille River valley’s history from the well-traveled north shore to the more remote south bank.”

She said the tour will visit historic schools, churches, cemeteries and ferry sites with local hosts on hand at most sites to talk about the history of each location and the fascinating stories they could tell, if only they could. A few stops are explore-on-your-own, with site history printed on the tour map. 

All sites are open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Participants can buy a ticket at any site and explore them in any order you choose. 

Sites include the Bonner County History Museum, Dover Community Church, Wrencoe School House, Beardmore Block, Priest River Museum & Timber Education Center, Seneacquoteen Cemetery and Waterlife Discovery Center (formerly the Sandpoint Fish Hatchery).

Tickets for the Historic Drive & Discover Tour: Pend Oreille River are $18 for adults, $7 for those under 18, children 6 and under free. Museum members receive a 20% discount  if they present their membership card. Tickets may be purchased at any site, or online at www.bonnercountyhistory.org/events.

Following the tour, Leadership Sandpoint’s local history Trivia Night will be held that evening from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Sandpoint Organic Agriculture Center, 10881 N. Boyer Road in Sandpoint.

Tickets for Trivia Night can be purchased at the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce’s website.

For more information call or visit the museum, 611 S. Ella Ave., 208-263-2344.