Owyhee County Historical Museum

10/20/2026

Project update from Eriks on the Mike Hanley Wagon Barn. Amazing to think that one year ago there was a concrete foundation and nothing else. Thanks to you we have this wonderful collection in a beautiful building.

10/19/2026

The Great Pumpkin is coming, Charlie Brown!

This song debuted in 1964 written and played by Vince Guaraldi. Called Linus and Lucy. Vince championed to make this song the theme song for the comic strip the Peanuts. A short rendition was first played in a Charlie Brown Christmas and a longer rendition performed in 1968 during the opening of It’s the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown were we see Linus and Lucy in a pumpkin patch picking out a pumpkin to carve.

10/16/2026

Today was an exciting day at the Museum as Eriks and Mike Stoumbaug lifted buggies and small wagons onto the new display shelf. With nine items off the floor we now have more room for displays and be able to host events inside.

Thanks to all who have supported this project and helping keep it moving forward.

10/13/2026

Today the large Ore Wagon was moved from the Annex and into the Hanley Wagon Barn. This is one of the last wagons to move into the building. There may be another small wagon or two later on but at this time the collection is all in once place. Eriks hitched up the wagon and towed it safely into the building.

The back wheels on this wagon are 6’ tall. At one time there would have been a large wooden box on the frame and it was used to haul ore. The box was removed so they could haul a boiler to Silver City and the box was never put back on.

10/09/2026

Taking advantage of the warm weather the Murphy School house is getting its floors oiled today. It’s been couple years since it was done and Colleen offered to help apply the oil. The floor is looking better than ever.

10/08/2026

Save this link as our Director, Eriks will be live ON AIR this coming Monday at 12:40 on Boise State Public Radio on Idaho Matters with Samantha Wright. They are interested in the Mike Hanley Wagon collection and what it means to have these wagons at the Musuem.

From Boundary to Bear Lake, Fremont to Payette, Owyhee to Oneida — there are interesting people, places and histories in each of Idaho’s counties. Idaho Matters wants to share it all with you. Over the next year you’ll hear conversations from the 44 unique counties that make up the Gem State.

10/08/2026

Work continues today on the Mike Hanley wagon barn. Thanks to an anonymous donation, we have enough money to install the septic tank and drain lines along with the waterline to the building. When this is complete, the building will be done with its major construction.

10/07/2026

Our collections aren’t just static displays, they are moving and living history. Today, Eriks and Joe Rogers took the wagon wheels off our Mitchell wagon part of the Mike Hanley collection and greased the back axles. This will help with being able to move the wagon in the new wagon barn.

Are you interested in volunteering and helping us catalog this great new collection? reach out to the museum today.

10/06/2026

This morning Idaho’s replica Liberty Bell came through Murphy. Eriks got the model T out for a photo and everyone got to ring the bell. Which is an exact replica and designed to have the same pitch as the real bell. After it’s done with it statewide tour, it will be back on display in front of the Idaho State capital.

10/05/2026

Today was a special day in Owyhee County. In celebration of America’s 250th anniversary the county put together a time capsule that will be open 50 years from today. In the year 2076. Eriks had the honor of giving a ceremonial speech and lowering the time capsule into the hole.