Old Idaho Pen in for 'reimagining'

Janet Gallimore has a vision for the Old Idaho Penitentiary.

A "reimagining," if you will.

That's why the executive director of the Idaho State Historical Society was especially pleased when the ISHS was recently awarded a $493,841 grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

The money will support the development of a new immersive, multimedia visitor experience of the structure that operated as a territorial and state prison from 1872 to 1973. 

“This award is an important milestone in our work to reimagine the Old Idaho Penitentiary and create an experience worthy of the history preserved within its walls,” Gallimore said.

The award will support the implementation of A Nation of Laws. This immersive orientation gallery will introduce visitors to "A City Behind Walls," the Old Idaho Penitentiary’s new permanent exhibition.

The grant represents a major investment in transforming one of Idaho’s most significant historic sites and advances a long-term effort to reinterpret the Old Idaho Penitentiary for future generations, a press release said.

A City Behind Walls will explore the history of the Idaho State Penitentiary and the evolution of Idaho’s justice system as the state transitioned from a frontier territory to a modern state.

Through historic spaces, artifacts, archival materials, multimedia experiences, and the stories of people who lived and worked in the prison, the exhibition will give visitors a deeper understanding of incarceration, justice, and change throughout Idaho history.

The NEH grant specifically supports the implementation of A Nation of Laws, which will orient visitors to the larger experience and establish the historical and civic context for the stories they encounter throughout the site.

"The National Endowment for the Humanities’ investment moves us significantly closer to bringing A City Behind Walls to the public and creating a more immersive, meaningful, and accessible way for visitors to engage with this important chapter of Idaho history," Gallimore said.

The Old Idaho Penitentiary housed incarcerated men and women from 1872 until its closure in 1973. Today, the Idaho State Historical Society operates the historic complex and preserves more than a century of stories documenting Idaho’s changing approaches to crime, punishment, rehabilitation, and justice.

"The historic site provides visitors an opportunity to explore more than a century of Idaho history through preserved buildings, exhibitions, collections, educational programs, and the stories of the people who lived and worked within its walls," a release said.

The $493,841 award is part of the NEH's July 2026 funding cycle, which provided $41.4 million for 81 humanities projects across the United States. 

The Idaho State Historical Society was the only Idaho organization to receive an award during this funding cycle.

Gallimore said she considered receiving the grant a "significant mark of excellence."

"It's very inspiring," Gallimore said during a visit to The Press. "We're just so grateful for the NEH."

The grant builds upon years of planning, research, and investment in the Old Idaho Penitentiary reimagining project. ISHS will continue working with public and private partners to secure the resources necessary to complete A City Behind Walls and ensure the historic site remains a nationally significant destination for history, education, and the public, the release said.