NEH: ARP Old Idaho Penitentiary

FAIN: ZPA-283369-22

Idaho State Historical Society (Boise, ID 83712-8250)
Amber Beierle (Project Director: May 2021 to February 2023)
Anthony Parry (Project Director: February 2023 to July 2023)

Partial salary compensation for seven staff positions at the Idaho State Historical Society and the provision of stipends for ten advisory board members and two consultants to develop an interpretive and audience development plan for the Old Idaho Penitentiary historic site in Boise, Idaho. 

Idaho State Historical Society (ISHS), a Level II applicant, is seeking $200,000 in NEH ARP funding to support the salaries of seven critical ISHS humanities staff as they work with 10 scholar-advisors and two consultants to create a comprehensive interpretive and audience development plan for the Old Idaho Penitentiary (Old Idaho Pen) through a yearlong, inclusive engagement process. The Old Idaho Pen was placed on the National Register of Historical Places in 1974 and is only one of a handful of such historic sites in the nation. The Old Idaho Pen has many stories to tell, stories that fascinate a number of audiences-crime and punishment reformers, academics, and curiosity seekers. During the 12-month period of support, ISHS staff will work with consultants and scholar-advisors to implement an audience-centric design and interpretive approach based on the field's best practices in conceptualizing, planning and designing interpretive visitor experiences at historic sites.