Kamiah Valley Historical Museum

04/25/2026

04/24/2026

The Kamiah Valley Historical Society & Museum are excited about this years event!
220th Anniversary of the Corps of Discoverys stay in the Kamiah Valley - in rememberance, we have a great line-up of historical presentations. Learn about the Expedition and what it like traveling the rivers by keel boat and canoe from George Drouillard (George Truppi) primary expert hunter and interpreter for the Corps. Talk with Sacqgawea (Jan Two Bears Falcon) about being a guide, interpreter and her pivotal role in the survival of the Corps crossing of the Bitterroots.
Ever wonder what it takes to put up a tipi and their many uses? Roger Amerman, retire professor ,-Whitman College, will be talking about Nez Perce Tipi Ecology.
Robbin Johnson, retired Forest Service archelogist, will be giving a presentation on Nez Perce Agriculture.
Watch a skilled trademan doing flint knapping -Michael Tylzynski- as he demonstrates how to shape stones into arrow and spear points.
Listen to the Idaho County Old Time Fiddlers playing traditional fiddle tunes and other musical selections.
Lewis & Clark History Discovery Station - complements of the Idaho Historical Society.
We have "Trader Row" where local artisans are selling handmade items and food.
Youth Activities - UYLC- with games, crafts and more.
The Museum's traditional "pie booth" will be up and running - Food concessions, and activities! FREE TO THE PUBLIC - Come join the rendezvous in Riverfront Park by the Clearwater River!!

04/22/2026

Vendor Opportunity!
For more information, call 208-935-2290 (leave a message)
Email: [email protected]
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04/21/2026

Happy 188th Birthday, John Muir!

in 1838, John Muir was born in Dunbar, Scotland. Inspired by the landscapes he roamed, Muir began studying science to better understand the natural world. In 1849, Muir immigrated to the United States, where his family settled in Wisconsin. As a young man, he studied at the University of Wisconsin, where his scientific lessons, “charmed me and sent me flying to the woods and meadows in wild enthusiasm.”

While we could write dozens of posts about Muir and his work, we thought that the best way to celebrate his monumental and inspirational work, with the first part of his 1897 article, “The American Forests” which called for the preservation of the landscape:

“The forests of America, however slighted by man, must have been a great delight to God; for they were the best he ever planted. The whole continent was a garden, and from the beginning it seemed to be favored above all the other wild parks and gardens of the globe. To prepare the ground, it was rolled and sifted in seas with infinite loving deliberation and forethought, lifted into the light, submerged and warmed over and over again, pressed and crumpled into folds and ridges, mountains and hills, subsoiled with heaving volcanic fires, ploughed and ground and sculptured into scenery and soil with glaciers and rivers,—very feature growing and changing from beauty to beauty, higher and higher.

And in the fullness of time it was planted in groves, and belts, and broad, exuberant, mantling forests, with the largest, most varied, most fruitful, and most beautiful trees in the world. Bright seas made its border with wave embroidery and icebergs; gray deserts were outspread in the middle of it, mossy tundras on the north, savannas on the south, and blooming prairies and plains; while lakes and rivers shone through all the vast forests and openings, and happy birds and beasts gave delightful animation. Everywhere, everywhere over all the blessed continent, there were beauty, and melody, and kindly, wholesome, foodful abundance..”

Want to read the whole article? Check it out here: https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1233&context=jmb

04/21/2026

There is still time left to put in you application to be a vendor!
There is still time to submit your application to be a vendor! a vendor!
Email: [email protected]

04/20/2026

Today I had the pleasure of visiting with Roger Amerman, from Stites, Idaho.Roger and his team were setting up the Nimiipuu Long House in celebration ofthe Communities in Recovery Campout, on Frida…

04/20/2026

Join us in Riverfront Park - June 27, 2026 9:00 am to 4:00 pm - Camp Chopunnish Rendezvous History and Artisan Festival

Millage Photography KAMIAH, Idaho — Long before summer travelers trace the bends of the Clearwater River or follow the Lewis and Clark Trail across the Northwest, a small group of Kamiah volunteers…

04/14/2026

Kamiah Valley Museum
Camp Chopunnish Rendezvous
History & Artisan Festival

04/14/2026

Come by the Kamiah Valley Museum for a Loaded Potato Bar Lunch Fundraiser!!
May 2, 2026
Taking place during the Lewis-Idaho County Treasure Hunt!!

04/13/2026

Today we celebrate Thomas Jefferson’s 283rd birthday, according to the Gregorian calendar. However, if you visit his grave at Monticello, you’ll notice the birthdate engraved on his stone marker shows “April 2, 1743 OS” – which indicates that as a youth, Thomas would have celebrated his birthday 11 days earlier, according to the Julian calendar, (also known as “O.S. or Old Style”). England and its colonies did not change to the Gregorian until 1752.

Thomas was the third child and eldest son of Peter Jefferson and Jane Randolph Jefferson. Born at Shadwell, a plantation on a large tract of land near present-day Charlottesville, Virginia, Thomas had six sisters and one surviving brother.

According to numerous sources, there are no references found in Mr. Jefferson’s or any family members’ papers mentioning a birthday celebration during any of his 83 years. Margaret Bayard Smith, a friend of Jefferson and documenter of early life in Washington City wrote: “Upon Mr. Jefferson's accession to the Presidency, the Mayor and corporation had waited on him, requesting to be informed, which was his birthday, as they wished to celebrate it with proper respect. The president simply replied, ‘The only birthday I ever commemorate is that of our Independence, the Fourth of July.’”

The first public celebration of Mr. Jefferson’s birth was held on April 13, 1830, four years after his death, at the Indian Queen Tavern in Washington, with Virginia congressman John Roane presiding over more than 150 guests.

Image: Jefferson sculpture at Monticello created by Stuart Williamson. Photo CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 / Wally Gobetz.

Image Description: A life-size bronze statue of Thomas Jefferson as he likely looked at about age 70. Shown wearing a suit with long-tailed coat, vest, and high-collared shirt, Jefferson is holding a short telescope in his left hand, and he is looking to his left. A brick walkway, paved road, and green trees are in the background.