Boise State University History Department

One of our professors in action!

“John Bieter, a professor in history, Cheryl Oestreicher, a professor and head of special collections and archives, along with Iñaki Arrieta Baro with the University of Nevada, Reno presented “Land Transformation in the American West: Sheep, Herders and Tree Carvings” at the quadrennial joint conference of the Society for Social Studies Sciences and the European Association for the Study of Science and Technology.”

https://www.boisestate.edu/news/2024/08/05/bieter-and-oestreicher-present-at-international-conference/

Bieter and Oestreicher present at international conference John Bieter, a professor in history, Cheryl Oestreicher, a professor and head of special collections...

The Old Idaho Penitentiary presents Locktober 2024! Check out our spooky new poster art by local artist Lauryn Medeiros, and the lineup for this year's Halloween events at the site.

Public sales for Locktober events start on Labor Day (Monday, September 2) at 10:00 am, with Member Presales beginning on Tuesday, August 27.

Members are eligible to register for two FREE tickets to the October 19 Paranormal Investigation. Members also receive free admission to October 12's Behind the Scenes Tours. Not a Member? Visit history.idaho.gov/membership to become one before the Member Presale.

Locktober 2024:

Sleepless in Stripes VI: Saturday, October 5, 6:00 pm to 7:00 am. Your chance to stay overnight at the Old Idaho Penitentiary in the site's historic cell houses. Includes meals, behind the scenes exploration, a paranormal investigation with Big River Paranormal, and more! 18+ only. $125 per person.

Behind the Scenes Tours: Saturday, October 12: 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Check out rarely seen or off-limits areas of the historic Old Idaho Penitentiary. Recommended Ages 13+. $15 per person. Free to ISHS Members!

Paranormal Investigation: Saturday, October 19: 9:15 pm to 2:00 am. Tour the site with Big River Paranormal at night. 18+ only. $40 per person. Free to ISHS Members!

Squawky & Spirits: Friday, October 25 and Saturday, October 26, 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm each night. The Old Idaho Penitentiary's annual Halloween party, featuring music, entertainment, food and alcohol for purchase, photo ops, and of course, two great haunted house experiences! 18+ only. $30 per person.

Stay tuned for additional event details!

We see a Boise State History Student there!

Black Excellence Gala: Creators' Talk feat. Trish Walker and Shari Baber Learn about the creative journey and purpose of the IBCA's Black Excellence Gala from the visionary minds who created it.

Meet Bailey Reece, originally from Middleton, Idaho, and set to graduate in the spring of 2024 from the Boise State University College of Education with a Master in Teaching in Secondary Education degree. Reece is part of a fellowship program that’s allowed her to teach rural students at Parma High School, returning to her roots after living in Boise to attend the university.

“Growing up in a rural area, I thought I would never go back and that city life was for me. But I have an amazing team at Parma High, amazing students and I have an amazing time teaching,” she said. “The opportunity has been incredible. I have built connections and gained real experience applying the knowledge from my classes. I love Parma High School, and I couldn’t have asked to be anywhere better.”

After graduation, Reece plans to take her “dream vacation” to Europe before diving back into her studies and joining the doctoral program in curriculum and instruction. She hopes to ultimately work as a faculty member, educating and inspiring future instructors.

“As a low-income, first-generation student, I initially thought college was never in the cards for me. Against all the odds, I did it. I hope to inspire others to push themselves to achieve their goals. I hope to remind people it is possible. I want to tell people why education is so important and that gaining knowledge can be fun. I truly love learning and this whole experience is like a dream come true.”

Read the Q&A with Bailey Reece: https://www.boisestate.edu/news/2024/04/23/passion-for-learning-sets-college-of-education-students-career-path/

Boise State history students had a blast exploring the Basque Block with Dr. John Bieter! Students experienced a historical Basque boarding house and showed off their skills while playing pala. Want to meet fellow students and explore history beyond the classroom? Stay tuned for our monthly social events!

Interested in learning more about the history of Basque folks in Boise? Enjoy walking around Downtown Boise and looking at historic buildings? Want to get to know some of your fellow students? Join the Department of History for this month's student social: a tour of the Basque Block!

This month's event will feature a walking tour hosted by Dr. John Bieter, one of Boise State's resident Basque historians. He's looking forward to showing you around Boise's hub of Basque culture - the Basque Block.

We will meet at the Basque Museum and Cultural Center - located in Downtown Boise at 611 W Grove St, Boise, 83702 - at 4 PM on Friday, April 12th.
To RSVP, please follow the link here: Google Form - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe0FoO_wY4i-rBdzY9h0LgjBahYLoCSN3fPN0zazzi5nIyjKg/viewform?pli=1
For questions, please email Emily at [email protected]
Click here to learn more about the Basque Museum and Cultural Center - https://basquemuseum.eus/research/
Hope to see you all there!

Dr. Lisa Brady and Boise State History major Sydney O'Connor, who is currently working for Congressman Mike Simpson, at his office. Dr. Lisa Brady was at his office to advocate for support for NEH, NARA, Title VI, and Fulbright-Hays funding.

National Humanities Alliance

Love History? Want to support History Majors? Donate to the Friendship Bridge Scholarship on Bronco Giving Day (https://broncogivingday.com/pages/college-of-arts-and-sciences-landing-page-4), February 28! Lots of matching opportunities to make your contribution go farther! Thanks for supporting Boise State Historians!

Meet one of our Boise State History seniors!

Are you interested in local history about your city of Boise and want to meet other History students? In honor of Black History month, join Emily F. Mahaney for this hour long walking tour of the River Street neighborhood this Friday!

Check this out! Lecturer and Public Historian Emily Fritchman Mahaney spoke about Lincoln Day from the Senate floor. Lincoln established Idaho territory in 1863 giving Idaho a connection to Lincoln that few realize or appreciate!

Lincoln Day 2024

One of our very own students here at Boise State!

Idaho Military Museum exhibit remembers 'The 526' in Battle of the Bulge - NewsBreak BOISE, Idaho — Push into the back wall of the Idaho Military Museum south of Boise, a few mannequins don clothing that once fought off a...

Check this out!
The River Street Project that our very own Emily Fritchman-Mahaney has been working on over the past year is being featured in the National Trust for Historic Preservation's February issue!

Preservation Magazine Issues | National Trust for Historic Preservation Browse the back catalog of the award-winning Preservation magazine to find even more in-depth features and vibrant photography.