One of the best things about the Museum of Idaho has also been one of the most disheartening: so much to show, but not quite enough space. That challenge might be history thanks to a whopping quarter-million dollars in donation money, including a recent $100,000 from the estate of Hazel Rose, a long time community partner of the museum.
“My mother believed in the Museum of Idaho and I know that she would be proud that her $100,000 donation will help in expanding this important educational and cultural organization” said Linda Wilkins, daughter of Hazel Rose.
Back in January, the Bill Maeck Family Foundation offered a 1-to-1 matching grant of $125,000. Battelle Energy Alliance threw down an additional $25,000, resulting in the fulfillment of the $125,000 Maeck Family Foundation requirement. That means MOI will be adding $250,000 to its expansion fund.
“We are proud to have the opportunity to bring together these important contributions at a critical time to support the Museum expansion,” said Board of Trustee Chair, Linda Montgomery. “The Board is delighted to see the community’s support of the museum.”
MOI currently has 25,000 objects of historical significance in storage. The planned expansion will provide the much-needed additional space, including a significant footprint created by the museum’s Pre- Columbian Mammoth display and other sizable collections.
“I am thrilled that we are one step closer to making this expansion a reality,” said Nick Gailey, Interim Executive Director. “With this donation announcement the MOI reaches the $600,000 requirement by the National Endowment of the Humanities (NEH) and becomes eligible to receive the first $200,000 installment of the half-million dollar NEH grant.”