The 10th annual Friends of the Museum campaign is underway with the goal of raising funds to continue the many remodeling and preservation projects at our local Oneida Pioneer Museum. To become a Friend of the Museum, just mail your donation to the Museum at P.O. Box 79, Malad, ID 83252. 

The levels of membership commemorate the methods used by pioneers to reach the Malad Valley:

$25 – annual

$50 – handcart

$100 – covered wagon

$200 – stagecoach

$500+ - steam engine

The Museum is housed in the former R.B. Davis Drug Store, which was built in 1914. When the Davis family deeded the building to the Museum in 2012, it became the permanent home for hundreds of Oneida County artifacts.

The 110-year-old building needs constant upkeep and repair. Last year’s improvements included installation of new lights in the back rooms of the main floor so that those displays can been seen on cloudy days or at night. The parapet at the top of the building needs repair work to ensure parts of it do not fall off the building. The upstairs remodeling project continues so that the former boarding rooms can be used for exhibits. The exterior of the Museum needs roof and foundation work and some painting.

Several projects are underway to preserve some of the collections housed in the Museum. The hundreds of books, journals, histories, pictures, yearbooks, and documents are being scanned so they can be digitized soon. The main floor is being reorganized to allow for easier access to the large collection of printed materials. The pioneer-era portrait collection is one of the best in the state, and the Museum has some portraits that need preservation work. The clothing and quilt preservation project is almost completed, but more donations mean that more dust covers and archival boxes can be purchased.

Some of these projects have been partially funded by grants from Idaho Heritage Trust, Idaho State Historical Society, Rocky Mountain Power Foundation, AgWest, and the Idaho Community Foundation.  However, most grants require matching funds, and some projects end up costing more than the grant amount. Therefore, the Friends of the Museum are invaluable partners in preserving the history of Oneida County and ensuring that future generations have the opportunity to see pioneer life through the artifacts, archives, and displays at the Museum.

In preparation for the seasonal opening of the Museum, the local camp of the Daughters of Utah Pioneers will assist in cleaning the main floor and mezzanine of the Museum to show appreciation for their using the Museum for their monthly meetings. The Museum will open on Saturday, May 24, for the summer visitor season with its annual bake sale.