Historical Museum Lecture Series

The Historical Museum Lectures provide insights into the history of our region. They begin in the late afternoon so guests have the opportunity to enjoy our museum and gift shop beforehand and drive home before dark. Light refreshments are provided. The events are held in the Spirit Center’s Johanna Room at the Center for Benedictine Life at the Monastery of St. Gertrude; located at 465 Keuterville Road, Cottonwood, Idaho.

April 3, 3:30 p.m.
400 Idaho Stories: The Historical Highway Marker Program
Presented by Keith Petersen

Idaho’s historical highway marker program dates to the 1950s, one of the nation’s oldest. The markers are found in every corner of the state. They tell unique Idaho stories—100 words at a time. Some refer to the markers as “Idaho’s Outdoor Museum.” To commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary, the Idaho State Historical Society and Idaho Transportation Department are adding 100 new markers to the program. New stories, ranging from the history of submarine testing on Lake Pend Oreille to the story of St. Gertrude’s Monastery will be added to existing signs about Lewis and Clark, the Nez Perce War, and hundreds of other topics.

Keith Petersen is the former Idaho State Historian. He retired in 2015, but “unretired” to write text for new markers. He will discuss the history of the highway markers program, and highlight some of the people, places, and events to be featured in new markers. Petersen is the author of several books about Idaho, including Inventing Idaho: The Gem State’s Eccentric Shape, John Mullan: The Tumultuous Life of a Western Road Builder, and Company Town: Potlatch, Idaho, and the Potlatch Lumber Company. He and his wife, Mary Reed, assisted in developing the exhibits at the Historical Museum at St. Gertrude.

April 24, 3:30 p.m.
Exploring a “pocket” history of early Idaho County
Presented by Jerry Johnson

What if a deck of playing cards could give us a glimpse into a different time period and educate us regarding our past? The Idaho County Vintage playing card deck was a joint venture between Jerry Johnson and the Historical Museum at St. Gertrude. The project was also a recipient of an Idaho Council of Humanities grant, which allowed the historical deck to be placed into Idaho County 4th-grade classrooms. Biographies of the deck’s royalty (early Idaho County residents) will be discussed as well as other general facts related to the deck, its publication and early Idaho County history.

Jerry Johnson is a life-long resident of north-central Idaho, who has enjoyed exploring and studying Idaho County’s geography and history since childhood. He has edited and published several books on local history, and recently teamed with the Historical Museum at St. Gertrude in publishing a deck of playing cards that features people and fun items of interest from the early years of Idaho County’s formation. Since this latest project handily fits in one’s pocket, Johnson now considers himself a “pocket” historian.