Lemhi County Museum

09/04/2026

✨ Main Street: Then & Now ✨

Walking down Main Street today looks a little different than it did in the early 1900s… or does it?

The Shenon Building still stands proudly at the corner of Main Street and N. Andrews Street, even though the businesses inside have changed with the times.

And some familiar treasures have stood the test of time. 🕰️ The Owl Club and The Lantern are still part of our community, connecting us to the stories and character of days gone by.

📜 Want to take a step back in time? Venture in, look around, and discover the local treasures, stories, and history hiding in plain sight.

Because sometimes, the best way to understand where we're going is to take a walk through where we've been. ❤️

09/01/2026

Our treasure today...
🦉an early photograph of the Owl Club, now The Night Owl, and a couple of Owl Club matchbooks. It was reported that the two fellas in the photo are: George DeKay and Eddie Barrett. This is such a cool picture of the bar interior. How many owls do you see? 🦉

🦉On the back of a matchbook, says that Mel Barrett was the manager; although, the Barretts are typically associated with another bar down the block. If you haven't been to the museum recently, we have other local business related artifacts and photographs to explore.

08/28/2026

🤠📚 After going to the Ranch Rodeo last night, I took a little nose-dive into the history of rodeo. And honestly… I’m fascinated. Enthralled. Completely hooked.

Watching the men and women take flight on these enormous, powerful beasts was incredible. And take no offense to the word beast—because the more I read, the more I loved this quote I came across: the “‘centaur wish’ of cowboys–to be one with the horse.” Part human, part horse, but only for a few incredible seconds. That fleeting moment when horse and human become one.

And then there’s the history.

Rodeo’s roots in America are deeply connected to Mexican vaqueros, whose horsemanship, roping, riding, and cattle-working traditions helped shape the skills and competitions we recognize today. What we now think of as rodeo grew from the everyday work of ranching and the remarkable abilities required to do it well.

So while I watched the competition last night, I couldn’t help but see something bigger: history in motion. History happening right in front of me.

Tradition. Skill. Partnership. Courage.

And, for a few breathtaking seconds, that almost magical moment when human and horse seem to move as one. 🐎

08/25/2026

Treasure Tuesday:
📷The Bolton Collection because we're excited for the upcoming rodeo.

🤠 So, dust off your boots, Salmon! The Salmon Stampede PRCA Rodeo kicks off THIS WEEKEND at the Lemhi County Fairgrounds! 🐎✨

From thrilling broncs and bulls to a live concert to close out the weekend, you won’t want to miss a single second.

📅 Thursday: Ranch Rodeo action gets the dust flying!
Friday: PRCA Rodeo Performance – Night 1!
Saturday: PRCA Rodeo Finale followed by a LIVE country concert with Glen Templeton! 🎸

🕒 Doors open at 4:30 pm Main events start at 7:00 PM

🐮While you're in town stomp down to the museum and see our Ranching exhibit, and more! Open 11-3 (closed Sunday) 🌟

Tag your rodeo crew in the comments!

08/18/2026

Tuesday Treasure:
Internal Order of Odd Fellows ceremonial sword. These swords were presented to members upon achieving certain ranks--typically rank of Chevalier. The blade represents justice and protection. (Donated by Charles Kane.)

Visit us to see the entire exhibit.

08/11/2026

Clyde and Cassie McKinney Starr & Bill and Rose Starr Bolton Exhibit: celebrates the legacy of community, leadership, and resilience in Lemhi County. The McKinney, Bolton, and Starr families were deeply rooted in homesteading, ranching, and life in the American West. Through hardship, military service during World War II, and dedicated public service, they built lasting legacies that continue to shape the community. Today, we honor their contributions and the enduring impact they made on Lemhi County.

These beaded moccasins were worn by Rose Starr Bolton during her childhood. Come on in to see the rest of the exhibit and let us know what you think.

08/07/2026

Full house last night at our Dave Stamey Concert and Fundraiser! Thanks to everyone for showing up and your gracious support. We felt the love for our community and shared value that History Matters.

Comment your favorite moment from the night! Was there a particular song that stood out, or maybe one of Dave's unforgettable jokes? We'd love to hear about your experience—share your favorite memory in the comments!

08/06/2026

Tonight! The night we have been waiting for... Dave Stamey Concert and Fundraiser. At the door tickets available $30.

🎸Concert starts at 7:00 pm and doors open at 6:00. We have b**r, w**e, soft drinks, and light hors d'oeuvres.

❤️We have 3 beautiful raffles (shown in this post) and 4 amazing silent auction pieces.

Look forward to seeing you there!

08/03/2026