Gooding Leader, Gooding, Idaho    August 15, 1913

 

The Mrs. Henry Garlingar has just made very valuable gift to Gooding public schools in a fine collection of specimens and relics to be added to the museum which is now being collected.  The gift consists of geological and commercial specimens, many kinds of shells, Indian relics and specimens of sea life.

Times-News, Twin Falls, Idaho    1972

Gooding Display Featured

The Gooding County Historical Society has only been in existence since January, however, it has accomplished much in preserving the history of Gooding.

    On display in the Gooding County Courthouse are some early Gooding pictures and documents, and according to Mildred Bryan, in charge of the display case, every month the displays will be changed to acquaint visitors with the early days.

    Gooding was incorporated as a city in 1910 but was originally called Toponis and chartered as a village a few years previous.

    A tape recorder has been purchased and interview committees, under the supervision of Alberta Butler, are visiting old-time residents to get their stories of early life in Gooding.  Bob Meyer, vice president of the society, is interviewing pioneer families for a history of the lodges here.

    According to Jean Stone, secretary-treasurer, the society's principal concern is finding a permanent place in Gooding County to safely display and store the antiques and documents.  Under consideration by the Idaho Parks Board is a proposal to locate the museum on the site of the proposed Malad River Gorge State Park.

    In addition to presenting a radio play and barbershop quartet concert, the society has plans for a barbecue and old-time fiddler's ball.  These programs are some of the many activities planned by the group to raise funds and interest people in the society.

    The society began as a project for the cultural arts committee of the Extension Homemakers  Council, under the direction of Dorothy Grieve, extension home agent.

    The idea was to provide for the preservation and history of the community.

Times-News, Twin Falls, Idaho  Sunday, May 23, 1976

Gooding seeks museum help

By Lorayne O. Simth, Times-News writer

GOODING - Members of the Gooding County Historical Society are pursuing all sources of possible financial assistance to get their "new" museum building remodeled in time for the July 3 bicentennial celebration.

    Gooding County commissioners purchased the old Palmer building this spring for $2,500 for the society to remodel for use as a county historical museum.  Some work already has been done by Robert Miller (shown in picture outside the Palmer building), a member of the society's board of directors, and his brother, A.W. Miller, but they have now run out of funds. 

    The Millers have redone the interior of the front of the old building - which once housed an eatery and offices - in rough native lumber.  They have eliminated the large 7-foot windows, which were mostly broken, and plan to install 4-by-7-foot glass windows. 

    The 13-foot high ceiling of the building has to be lowered to 9 feet and Miller says the walls will be paneled and shelving and showcases installed to display the many historical items already owned by the society.

    The floor also will have to be leveled and the directors plan to lay indoor-outdoor carpet.  Electrical work also will be needed.    "Everything we've done so far is paid for," Miller said.  Anyone interested in making a donation to help make the museum a reality may contact Miller or Mrs. A.B. Luther, secretary treasurer. 

    The Gooding City Council has donated $500 toward the project and the society directors are applying for a grant for $2,500 of state bicentennial funds, but it is not known if this can be obtained, Miller said. 

    He said considerable expense is involved in repairing the roof and the partition between the original restaurant and office space has been removed and new 4-by-8 foot supports installed.  He said the entire remodeling will probably cost more than his original estimates.  The museum will be 25 by 50 feet in size with a small storage room in the rear.  Miller said the stucco on the top of the old store front will be retained and plans are to have a sign designating it as the Gooding Historical Museum placed over the doorway.  Miller and his brother have refinished the wall around the front door and window frames in the same unplaned, rough lumber as that used inside.  The rest of the exterior will be veneered with native stone.

Gooding Leader, Gooding, Idaho   November 1980

 

Gooding's historical museum

Society struggles to open doors

By Debi Boen

"Let's not forget our heritage" was the rallying cry heard throughout Gooding nearly a decade ago.  Led by Mrs. K.T. Butler and several other women from Gooding County Home Extension Clubs, the plea was designed to bring support for an organization the women were hoping to form - the Gooding County Historical Society. 

    The idea received a lot of publicity at its start.  An organizational meeting was held on June 4, 1971.  The concept had to be present for approval to the county commission.  Because the Idaho Legislature in 1961 authorized the creation of historical societies, the commissioners agreed to support the idea.  Later, Mrs. Butler received the first Community Service Award to be presented to a grandmother for her contribution in the formation of the society.  The group sponsored such events as displays and an antique festival theatre, and received several donations from residents who had pieces of Gooding's past to give.

    The society moved its items into a small building on Main Street, which has never been open regular hours because of the lack of money to pay someone to keep it open, and stopped taking donations, which it has just recently begun accepting again.   Somewhere along the way much of the publicity stopped - but the society didn't.

    According to Lorena Murray, this year's president, the society holds regular meetings on the second Tuesday of each month at 8 p.m. in the museum.  There are 15 to 20 active members, she says, and many others who pay dues.  New members are accepted any time, not just during the beginning of the fiscal year, which is in January.

    Other officers of the society include Mrs. A.B. Luther, secretary - treasurer; and Mrs. Mildred Bryan, vice president.  New officers will be voted upon in a January meeting.

    The society's financing still comes from the mill levy and dues, and it isn't enough to keep the museum open regular hours, although members would like to.  Instead, it is opened for special occasions and for tours, which can be arranged by contacting either Bob or Welliver Miller, Gooding, who are the curators of the museum.

    Murray says that the building has been undergoing some remodeling recently, and that the backyard is now fenced to allow for a place to keep large pieces, such as machinery.

    Some of the items the museum has received in the past include a shotgun once owned by a turn-of-the-century Gooding farmer; a surveying transit used in the construction of Magic Reservoir; ice skates worn by children who once skated on frozen Little Wood River; and faded photographs.  Murray says the society is anxious to start accepting such items again.

    With renewed interest in donations, a remodeled museum and a fenced backyard, Murray has one special goal for the future.

    "We want to be able to keep it open..." she says, again citing lack of funds as the reason behind the museum's closed doors. "...Someday."