Building Named For Historian

The state Board of Education has named the Idaho State Historical Society’s new archives storage building in honor of longtime Idaho historian Merle Wells.

The decision came at the recommendation of Gov. Phil Batt, who made the announcement during a ceremony Tuesday in the lobby of the Idaho Historical Museum.

“I cannot think of a better way to show the state’s appreciation to a man who has devoted his life to the preservation and illumination of our state’s past, and who has earned a national reputation for his expertise,” Batt wrote in his request to the Board of Education.

“Merle has spent years ensuring that Idaho’s vital documents are preserved and protected for future generations, and so it is fitting that a modern archives building should bear his name.”

Wells was an archivist and historian during his 27 years with the Historical Society, retiring in 1986. Since then the 78-year-old Wells has continued writing, lecturing and conducting research.