Gooding County Historical Society Museum and Research Center

Gooding County Historical Society Museum and Research Center Gooding County was created by the Idaho Legislature on January 28, 1913 by a partition of Lincoln County. It was named for Frank R. Senator. Visitors welcome.

Gooding, pioneer sheep rancher, early mayor of the city of Gooding, later Idaho Governor and U.S. Mountain men and fur traders trapped the beautiful Malad River extensively in the early 1800s. Settlers came to the rich agricultural lands of the Hagerman Valley in the 1860s. Gooding County cities include Bliss, Gooding, Hagerman and Wendell. The Gooding County Historical Society, Inc. was founded O

ctober 27, 1971, as a 501c3 nonprofit organization dedicated to preservation and sharing of the history of Gooding County, Idaho. The Gooding County Historical Society promotes preservation, research and education pertaining to all historical Gooding County records, documents, articles, and artifacts for all generations. The Society endeavors to bring together those people that share an interest in our history and to promote a better appreciation of our American heritage. Board Meetings: 2nd Wednesday monthly, 1:00 pm at the Museum. Annual Membership Meeting: 3rd Saturday of January, 11 am at the Museum. All Society dues-paying members & visitors are welcome to attend these meetings. Speaker Nights for the Public:
3rd Wednesdays at 7 pm, May, June, July, September & November. Other special events as posted. Museum Hours:
10 am – 4 pm
Mid-April thru mid-September
Fridays & Saturdays

Private tours available!
208-934-5318

Member & Volunteer Opportunities:
The Society is nonprofit and therefore depends upon the dedication and generosity of volunteers and members to assist the Museum in its activities. Dues-paying members are the life blood of the Museum's funding. Your financial support continually helps to improve our Museum’s offerings and ensures that the Museum remains a thriving resource for the community. Opportunities exist for Paid Members and Volunteers:
--Museum & Schoolhouse tasks and tours
--Cataloging & sorting museum artifacts
--Research Center projects
--Publicity (flyers, news releases)
--Events and Fundraising
--Groundskeeping and building maintenance

Society Membership Application - Annual Dues
Payable by January 1

Individual $ 20.00
Couple $ 35.00
Lifetime-Individual $500.00
Lifetime-Couple $600.00
Donation (501c3) $
TOTAL $

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*TIMEPIECE Newsletter is sent by Email to reduce postage costs. Can be sent by postal mail in an exception

Mail this form and your check to:
Gooding County Historical Society
PO Box 213, Gooding ID 83330

Gooding County Historical Society Museum and Research Center will be closed Sept 4-7 in order for volunteer staff to obs...
09/02/2026

Gooding County Historical Society Museum and Research Center will be closed Sept 4-7 in order for volunteer staff to observe Labor Day Weekend. This official holiday was established to honor and recognize the American labor movement and the works and contributions of laborers to the development and achievements of the United States.

Speaker Night is back this month, with Justin Vipperman talking about Lincoln and Statehood.  Wednesday, September 16, 7...
09/02/2026

Speaker Night is back this month, with Justin Vipperman talking about Lincoln and Statehood. Wednesday, September 16, 7:00 pm.

08/24/2026

THE GOODING COUNTY FAIR AND RODEO IS FINISHED AS FAR AS THE MUSEUM AND RESEARCH CENTER GO.
Now, we are back to work doing what we do here. One item is researching old US Post Offices in Gooding County, specifically Tuttle and Blanche. I'll bet some of you out there could help us out by digging through old photos, clippings, etc.

Give us your thoughts right here and we will be forever grateful!

Send a message to learn more

Shout out to Dave and Brenda Jensen along with all of the antique tractor owners that participated in today's parade. Da...
08/20/2026

Shout out to Dave and Brenda Jensen along with all of the antique tractor owners that participated in today's parade. Dave you did a great job putting together the antique tractor plan.
Get out to the fair check out the antique tractor display that's just east of the home arts building. I bet those old tractors could tell quite a few stories.
Home Arts Building.will ne opened Thursday that 19th at 1:00 . Stop in and say hello and check out the Gooding County Historical Society Museum and Research Center display table.

Gooding County Historical Society Museum and Research Center is proud to be a part of the Gooding County Fair and Rodeo ...
08/20/2026

Gooding County Historical Society Museum and Research Center is proud to be a part of the Gooding County Fair and Rodeo Parade today.

THE STORY OF SNAKE RIVER POTTERY    After WWII, the population of Bliss dropped from 610 in 1940 to 591 in 1950. Some pe...
08/16/2026

THE STORY OF SNAKE RIVER POTTERY

After WWII, the population of Bliss dropped from 610 in 1940 to 591 in 1950. Some people were attracted, however, to the smaller town and the beauty of the area. A less cluttered environment would stimulate creativity. Drich and Di Bowler were two such people. They moved
to Bliss in 1946 and built a home and pottery studio on a 3.5-acre parcel purchased from the John Ayers family.
Drich was a Gooding boy who had sought an acting career on Broadway where he met Di who was from Philadelphia. She appreciated the physical beauty and sense of community of Bliss. War experiences changed Drich’s values. While teaching high school, they continued their pottery business; later Drich started the Antique Festival Theatre.
Meanwhile, an article, “Bliss, Idaho,” in Mademoiselle in 1949, stimulated Snake River Pottery’sin 1952 business beyond expectations as people from throughout the US stopped to see the pottery, visit with the Bowlers, and see Bliss, Idaho.
"A Centennial History of Bliss, Idaho. James R. Gentry and Bliss Centennial Committee."

Before Bliss, Idaho, was Bliss.
08/15/2026

Before Bliss, Idaho, was Bliss.

Brand new Wendell, Idaho!
08/05/2026

Brand new Wendell, Idaho!

Address

273 Euskadi Lane
Gooding, ID

Opening Hours

Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+12089345318

Website

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