Idaho Falls

Has anyone ever asked you what makes Idaho—or East Idaho—unique? Despite spending 30+ years in love with our region, I recently found myself stumped by that question. After all, each of our neighbors also boasts mountains, sunsets, crops, snow and good-hearted people. No one factor makes our region unique, and that's probably good. Like most inter- esting subjects, the region is complex. For many, it's special simply because it's home, at least for now. That may sound quaint or silly, but hold onto that thought, because it's more meaningful than it sounds. We're getting ahead of ourselves. Let's back up. If you've been downtown lately, you may have noticed a gaping hole adjacent to the Museum of Idaho (MOI). This, of course, is the construction project for the museum's expansion. MOI, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, raised money for several years to fund this expansion, which will, among other things, improve and increase the space available for traveling exhibits, education programs, collections and research. Much of that will become a reality when the new wing opens in Fall 2019. But just as significant is the second phase of construction—a renovation of the current building's interior by Summer 2020—that will more than double the space for exhibits about our region. We at the museum understand when locals sometimes overlook the Idaho exhib- its. They are updated less frequently than the traveling exhibits, and a few pieces, frankly, have gotten stale. We agree. Even so, a high percentage of out-of-state guests prefer the humble Idaho exhib- its to the flashy Titanic, Dinosaurs, and Steampunk—a fact that might surprise locals. As it happens, many tourists come to the Museum of Idaho hoping and expecting to learn about Idaho. Expanding and overhauling the Idaho exhibits isn't about pleasing tourists, though. It's an opportunity to tell a more thoughtful, cohesive and dynamic story about our region and what makes it spe- cial—what makes it Idaho. "We want this to be something all Idahoans can be proud of, and can see themselves in," said MOI Executive Director Karen Baker. So how does one go about creating an exhibit meant to encapsulate thousands of years of complex history? It has the power to shape how numerous locals and visitors view this area, for better or worse. That's a big responsibility, and getting it right is important. At the helm of this task are Baker; Rod Hansen, Director of Exhibitions; Carrie Anderson Athay, curator; and Chloe Doucette, Director of Education. For the With a focus on local artifacts, planned museum exhibit aims to capture what makes Idaho — Idaho BY JEFF CARR Bia-Dekape, MOI's 14-foot Columbian mammoth replica, will regain a position of prominence in "The Way Out West" after being hidden from view for more than a decade because of space constraints. 36 IDAHO FALLS MAGAZINE NOVEMBER 2018

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