By Dorothy Evans
The Weiser Architectural Preservation Committee (WAPC) has been awarded a $25,000 grant by the Idaho State Historical Society for a “Museum in the Streets” project. Kudos to Tony Edmondson, President of the WAPC, for suggesting this project, researching it and filing the grant.
Tony originally encountered a “Museum in the Streets” project while visiting a friend in Maine. As he walked around town, he discovered signs in front of historic buildings and homes citing their history. It was a comprehensive approach to interpreting a community’s history and making it accessible right on the street. The addition of a QR code allows the viewer to dig deeper and learn more than a limited sign can provide. While the program was initially launched and remains based in the Maine and greater New England area, there are also installations in France. Ours will be the first such installation in the West!
The WAPC believes it can include a minimum of 25 sites that will likely be divided between a walking tour of our centrally located sites (i.e., the depot, castle) and a separate driving tour for those further away, such as the Intermountain Institute, etc. Signs will also be placed at historically significant sites that no longer exist such as the Washington Hotel and Mortimer’s Island. Depending on the property owner’s permission, the signs will either be attached to the building or free-standing.
The grant allows 18 months to complete the project. This involves researching and writing the histories, constructing the signs and placing them.
Below is the official MITS website link to learn more, as well as links to several communities to get a better feel for how they look and work.
http://www.themuseuminthestreets.com/towns.html
https://www.kennebunkmaine.us/354/Museum-in-the-Streets
