Preservation month events in Coeur d'Alene slated in May
The Roosevelt School, today the Roosevelt Inn, is in danger of being demolished due to development.
BILL BULEY/Press
The historic 1905 Roosevelt School, today the Roosevelt Inn, could be lost to development.
The 1925 home on East Lake Shore Drive of the late Dr. E.R.W. "Ted" Fox was demolished to make way for a new structure.
The 1908 Hamilton House was on the brink of destruction a few years ago before it was saved and is today the home of the Music Conservatory of Coeur d’Alene.
The changing face of Coeur d'Alene, giving way to newer and more modern, has sparked renewed public recognition of the need to preserve Coeur d’Alene’s historic buildings, character and heritage, said Walter Burns, chairman of the city's Historic Preservation Commission.
That's why he's pleased May is National Preservation Month, and the HPC and Museum of North Idaho are teaming up to celebrate the occasion.
Preservation Month was established in 2005 by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, to promote historic places and heritage tourism, and demonstrate the social and economic benefits of historic preservation, a press release said.
Events are planned throughout the month and the public is welcome.
The Historic Preservation Commission will kick off the month at 6 p.m. Wednesday with the Historic Preservation Reception and Awards at the historic Jewett House, 1501 E. Lakeshore Ave. Mayor Jim Hammond will present the second “Heart of History” award to John Swallow, recognizing his work to preserve and restore the historic Northern Pacific Railway Depot at Third Street and Lakeside. Quanah Matheson of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe will bless the event in the Coeur d’Alene language.
To attend, RSVP on the city's Facebook event or contact Traci Clark, tclark@cdaid.org or 208-769-2240.
Other events
Mother’s Day Open Houses
On May 12, the Northern Pacific Railway Depot at Third and Lakeside and the Hamilton House (Music Conservatory of Coeur d’Alene) at Government Way and Foster Avenue will be open from 2 to 4 p.m. Visitors will be treated to tours of each of these two historic buildings and learn about their history and the story of how they were saved from the wrecking ball. The Northern Pacific Railway Depot is the recipient of the second Heart of History Award. The Hamilton House received the first award in 2023.
Farmer’s Market Outreach
On May 15, the Historic Preservation Commission will share a booth with the Coeur d’Alene Public Library at the Riverstone Farmer’s Market, and with the Museum of North Idaho in Downtown Coeur d’Alene at the 5th Street Farmers Market. They’ll provide information and answer questions about historic preservation in Coeur d’Alene and hand out coloring pages to the kids highlighting historic buildings within the city.
Tours of Old Fort Sherman, Downtown and Sanders Beach
The Museum of North Idaho will host Living History Walking Tours of Old Fort Sherman on May 4 and 25, Coeur d’Alene’s historic downtown May 11, and Sanders Beach on May 18. The Old Fort Sherman and Downtown tours will depart from the Museum of North Idaho at 115 Northwest Blvd. The Sanders Beach tour will depart from the J.C. White House at the base of Tubbs Hill, near City Hall. Tickets are $15/adults and $7.50/youth and can be purchased at museumni.org.