Donate your piece of Boise History!
The Boise City Archives welcomes inquiries from individuals, families, businesses, organizations, and associations concerning donations of Boise City related materials.
Why we collect
A local archive is the archive that is closest to home. It is where records that trace the development of the city live. A well-maintained local archive informs our present and can guide our future. Not only do our historical records help shape policy, but they also offer a sense of place allowing us glimpses into the lives and organizations which make Boise unique and an understanding of how these stories fit within the larger historical narrative.
What we collect
The Boise City Archives (BCA) maintains two separate repositories, the municipal archives, and the donated collection archives. The municipal archives consists of direct transfers of publicly accessible, city-created records which serve as the documentation of city government actions whereas the donated collection archives are comprised of personal papers, business, organizational, and association records with ties to Boise’s diverse history. Records can be in a variety of formats including paper, photograph, scrapbooks, negatives, slides, reels, tapes, VHS, maps, blueprints, and digital.
To preserve Boise City’s history, the BCA focuses on five areas of collecting:
Governance in Boise
Records or artifacts related to City leadership, urban planning and development, transportation, and other notable public works carried out by the City of Boise. Examples include:
Work in Boise
Records or artifacts related to the economic base of the City including business, labor, scientific, and technological development. Examples include:
Life in Boise
Records or artifacts related to the community, cultural and social diversity, domestic life, neighborhoods, recreation, and special events. Examples include:
The Natural Environment of Boise
Records or artifacts that document the Boise River, plants, animals, and the natural environment—particularly as they relate to the history and development of Boise. Examples include:
The Built Environment of Boise
Representative historic objects and archival materials related to architecture, urban planning, parks, and other developments that tell the story of the expansion and transformation of Boise’s built environment. Examples include:
- Capital City Development Corporation (CCDC) records - collection is in processing, please contact City Archivist for details
- Gordon S. Bowen papers
- Morrison Knudsen Collection on Boise Depot Restoration
Donate your piece of Boise History!
The Boise City Archives welcomes inquiries from individuals, families, businesses, organizations, and associations concerning donations of Boise City related materials.
Why we collect
A local archive is the archive that is closest to home. It is where records that trace the development of the city live. A well-maintained local archive informs our present and can guide our future. Not only do our historical records help shape policy, but they also offer a sense of place allowing us glimpses into the lives and organizations which make Boise unique and an understanding of how these stories fit within the larger historical narrative.
What we collect
The Boise City Archives (BCA) maintains two separate repositories, the municipal archives, and the donated collection archives. The municipal archives consists of direct transfers of publicly accessible, city-created records which serve as the documentation of city government actions whereas the donated collection archives are comprised of personal papers, business, organizational, and association records with ties to Boise’s diverse history. Records can be in a variety of formats including paper, photograph, scrapbooks, negatives, slides, reels, tapes, VHS, maps, blueprints, and digital.
To preserve Boise City’s history, the BCA focuses on five areas of collecting:
Governance in Boise
Records or artifacts related to City leadership, urban planning and development, transportation, and other notable public works carried out by the City of Boise. Examples include:
Work in Boise
Records or artifacts related to the economic base of the City including business, labor, scientific, and technological development. Examples include:
Life in Boise
Records or artifacts related to the community, cultural and social diversity, domestic life, neighborhoods, recreation, and special events. Examples include:
The Natural Environment of Boise
Records or artifacts that document the Boise River, plants, animals, and the natural environment—particularly as they relate to the history and development of Boise. Examples include:
The Built Environment of Boise
Representative historic objects and archival materials related to architecture, urban planning, parks, and other developments that tell the story of the expansion and transformation of Boise’s built environment. Examples include:
- Capital City Development Corporation (CCDC) records - collection is in processing, please contact City Archivist for details
- Gordon S. Bowen papers
- Morrison Knudsen Collection on Boise Depot Restoration
Donation FAQ's
If you’re interested in finding a home for your history, please fill out a donation submission form and staff will follow-up. Or email artsandhistory@cityofboise.org to connect with staff.
Donation FAQ's
If you’re interested in finding a home for your history, please fill out a donation submission form and staff will follow-up. Or email artsandhistory@cityofboise.org to connect with staff.
If you are in the Treasure Valley, staff will set up a time to either review the offered donation on-site, at City Hall, or at an agreed upon location. If the offered donation is outside of the area, review through photographs and conversation may be enough for determination.
How are offered donations reviewed?
If you are in the Treasure Valley, staff will set up a time to either review the offered donation on-site, at City Hall, or at an agreed upon location. If the offered donation is outside of the area, review through photographs and conversation may be enough for determination.
Leave that to us! Our staff have been trained to review records through a unique lens that allows us to see the potential beyond what others may see.
I’m not sure if what I’m offering is of value, how can I tell?
Leave that to us! Our staff have been trained to review records through a unique lens that allows us to see the potential beyond what others may see.
When your collection arrives at the BCA, professional archives staff take immediate steps to ensure any at-risk materials are prioritized. Materials are securely stored until they can be rehoused in archival quality enclosures, arranged, and described to provide access to the collection for research.
What happens when you donate?
When your collection arrives at the BCA, professional archives staff take immediate steps to ensure any at-risk materials are prioritized. Materials are securely stored until they can be rehoused in archival quality enclosures, arranged, and described to provide access to the collection for research.
Materials in the BCA are intended to be used to enhance scholarship, discovery, and a shared understanding of Boise’s history. Once a collection is processed, we create a finding aid or a catalog record which will be published in our catalog seen here. We apply subject terms to help aid in discovery during an internet search. We also highlight new collections on our social media pages, newsletters, as well as curate select materials to highlight on our digital collections website and our rotating Boise history exhibits.
How will people learn about and use my collection?
Materials in the BCA are intended to be used to enhance scholarship, discovery, and a shared understanding of Boise’s history. Once a collection is processed, we create a finding aid or a catalog record which will be published in our catalog seen here. We apply subject terms to help aid in discovery during an internet search. We also highlight new collections on our social media pages, newsletters, as well as curate select materials to highlight on our digital collections website and our rotating Boise history exhibits.
Yes, materials that are of a sensitive nature can be restricted from access for a set amount of time. Once the agreed upon restriction has been met the restricted material will be open for research.
Can my materials be restricted?
Yes, materials that are of a sensitive nature can be restricted from access for a set amount of time. Once the agreed upon restriction has been met the restricted material will be open for research.
Donations may be tax deductible. Please consult your tax advisor for guidance.
Can I take a tax deduction on the material I donate?
Donations may be tax deductible. Please consult your tax advisor for guidance.
No, we are unable to appraise your collection for its monetary value. Please refer to the organizations below to help locate an appraiser.
American Society of Appraisers
www.appraisers.org
International Society of Appraisers
www.isa-appraisers.org
Appraisers Association of America
www.appraisersassoc.org
Can we offer a monetary appraisal?
No, we are unable to appraise your collection for its monetary value. Please refer to the organizations below to help locate an appraiser.
American Society of Appraisers
www.appraisers.org
International Society of Appraisers
www.isa-appraisers.org
Appraisers Association of America
www.appraisersassoc.org