America250 in Idaho grants were an investment in our state, not pork barrel
The 31 applicants should receive funding promised under the original rules that encouraged them to apply, write guest columnist Ron James and Shauna Robinson.
Ron James
Shauna Robinson
April 14, 2025 4:05 am
Imagine for a moment the dismay and disappointment of the Twin Falls County Historic Preservation Commission and 30 other historic and community-based recipients of the America250 in Idaho grants upon reading these words in a letter from the Idaho State Legislature informing them that “After careful consideration of legislative intent, the grant program through America 250 is canceled.”
What a total surprise since a few months earlier, those same groups had been awarded grant money for their projects emphasizing topics about Idaho’s unique history and showcasing Idaho’s role in America’s 250th year anniversary. Bewilderment added to the disappointment.
Last Dec. 16, 2024, the Twin Falls County Historic Preservation Commission received the following message: “We are pleased to inform you that Twin Falls County Historic Preservation Commission’s A250ID grant application has been selected for award. Thank you for your thoughtful and complete application to commemorate this milestone for our nation and state. We applaud your organization’s service to your community. Congratulations!… We are grateful for your partnership in advancing the ideals of the American Revolution – equality, liberty, and justice – through meaningful community engagement and recognizing, appreciating, and commemorating Idaho’s journey in America’s legacy
The historic preservation commission had applied for and was awarded $25,000 America250 in Idaho grant, only to have the grant program abruptly cancelled by the Legislature. The 31 applicants, having been awarded grants, and being completely unaware of the Legislature’s new terms and conditions, should be entitled to receive the funds promised under the original rules that encouraged the 31 organizations to apply in the first place.
On March 24, 2025, the historic preservation commission is then informed by the Idaho State Legislature that “After careful consideration of legislative intent, the grant program through America250 is cancelled.” No details or reasoning are provided for the cancellation. The March 24 cancellation letter goes on to proclaim love for Idaho and its history, stating that “We appreciate your organization’s role in preserving and sharing Idaho’s story …”
The historic preservation commission volunteers have dedicated over seven years and hundreds of hours of donated time, with the support and encouragement of SHPO, Twin Falls County commissioners, Idaho Heritage Trust, and Preservation Twin Falls in an effort to establish a National Register Historic Mining District preserving a series of Chinese placer gold mining sites dating to ca. 1870-1881 and ca.1933-40 Depression-era located in the Snake River Canyon between the Perrine and Hansen bridges.
Our initially accepted project application seemed to perfectly correlate with House Concurrent Resolution 31’s stated criteria: “Idaho, known as the ‘Gem State,’ occupies a unique place in the mosaic of American history, with significant historical milestones, eras, innovations, and advancements …”
The 1870s, when the United States was commemorating the Revolution’s centennial, was a dynamic time when southern Idaho was fundamentally changed by the California gold rush, the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad in 1869, and the new Transpacific trade and immigration networks extending from Guangdong (Canton) and Hong Kong to San Francisco and the Snake River Canyon.
One of our strengths as a community and a state has been the investment in cultural and historical preservation. The America250 in Idaho grant projects would have paid huge, long-term dividends in preserving and promoting Idaho’s historic legacy and public education.
Volunteer organizations such as the Twin Falls County Historic Preservation Commission, Lincoln County Historical Society, and the Boise Contemporary Theater rely heavily on grants such as America250 in Idaho to preserve and share Idaho’s story.
The abrupt cancellation of these projects has implications extending far beyond the balance sheets; they threaten the very fabric of the communities they serve.
The historic preservation commission’s goals align with the stated criteria in HCR 31 to “encourage Idahoans to reflect on American and state history and heritage, develop deeper connections within their communities, and advance Idaho’s contributions and values for the benefit of our children and future generations.”
The historic preservation commission’s volunteer commissioners are committed to following through with the National Register nomination for the Snake River Canyon Historic Mining District, and it is our hope we can continue to count on the Idaho Legislature’s support for grass-roots, community-based historic preservation projects.