PF museum faces uncertain future
POST FALLS – The Post Falls Historical Society Museum has preserved the past, but its future is less certain.
Sometime early in 2005 the Post Falls Historical Society either will need to move the building that houses its museum or move out to make way for the expansion of the Post Falls City Hall campus. Historical society members say neither is a good option.
The museum, which is open by appointment, is located in the old Malloy Building on Fourth Avenue near Spokane Street. It houses artifacts, including photographs, that chronicle Post Falls history from pre-settlement to the present.
“The mayor came to the (historical society) board meeting and told us we were not going to be part of the city campus plan,” said Kim Rice Brown, historical society president. “He said if we were interested in moving the building they will give us the building to move.”
The problem, Brown says, is the society doesn’t have the money to buy a piece of land and pay for the cost of moving the building. Plus, the building, which has electrical and plumbing problems, has been moved before and may not withstand another move. The society has communicated to the city that it would like to be included in the expansion plans, Brown said.
“Up to now, we’ve had someplace to start telling the history of Post Falls,” said society board member Kristy Reed Johnson.
“Within the urban renewal district it all fits together that there should be a museum there that tells the history … and talks about what makes this area unique,” Johnson said. “To not provide a space in the urban renewal district I find curious.”
Major Clay Larkin said the historical society has known that its use of the Malloy Building was temporary. He added that the city has supported the society’s efforts by giving them $1,000 for their programs and allowing them to use the Malloy Building and, previously, a city modular building.
“They use every method possible to lobby us to put a museum on the City Hall property,” he said. “Our architect has said there’s not enough room to do it because we need parking space.”
When the new City Hall complex is completed, the number of buildings will be reduced from five to two – to the new building and the old brick Chapin Drug building. This will allow the city to house all of its departments under one roof, with the exception of wastewater, police and streets, Larkin said.
“They can have the (Malloy) building free. The only thing they have to do is move it,” Larkin said.
Historical society members say that the history of Post Falls contributes to the city’s identity and draws tourist dollars.
“I’ve traveled the entire world. I always looked up the local museums. The local museums told the story of the area (in a way) that was more human. … it’s a lot better than visiting a mall and buying souvenirs in a souvenir shop,” said Reed, who used to work for the airline industry.
It also connects locals to their own history, members said. “We’re just to the point where people are coming in and enjoying it and coming back,” said society past president Mary Schell, who recently gave a museum tour to 104 school kids.
“I was born and raised here and I’ve never left,” said board member Bob Frazey, adding that when he was a student, the city didn’t have a museum. “We had to go out of the area to go to a museum.”
Brown said the Post Falls Historical Society just got printed in the Idaho Association of Museums’ brochure, which lists all the museums in the state. And the organization has the opportunity to obtain a 1,000-piece collection from the Museum of North Idaho. Those factors and safe storage of the existing artifacts are what concerns the society if they can’t find a new building when they have to move.
Brown said that the society is interested in working with city officials or businesses to come up with creative solutions to the organization’s problem.
“We thought the (city) expansion would be slower in coming,” she said. “Otherwise we might not have this sense of urgency.”