LAVA HOT SPRINGS MUSEUM AND
DIRECTOR RECEIVE PRESTIGIOUS
"ESTO PERPETUA
AWARD" FROM THE IDAHO STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY
 |
Ruth Ann Olson, Museum Director, and South Bannock
County Historical Center recently received the highly
esteemed "Esto Perpetua Award" from the Idaho State
Historical Society. The "Esto Perpetua Award" takes
its name from Idaho's state motto meaning "Let It Be
Perpetual". The award criteria is based on professional
excellence, significance of contribution to the
community, and long term commitment to preserving history. Since the award
was created by the Society in 1999, 53 individuals and organizations from throughout
the state have been honored with recognition through this award.
Ruth Ann Olson and South Bannock County Historical Center, joined seven other
individuals and organizations honored at a luncheon award ceremony on September
18 at The Idaho Historical Museum in Boise, Idaho. On Saturday, October
11, 6:30 PM, at the South Bannock County Historical Center, 110 E.
Main Street, Lava Hot Springs, Idaho, the community will hold an public celebration
honoring Ruth Ann Olson, in appreciation for her award and life long commitment
to preserving and promoting area history. |
Ruth Ann initiated this community museum
in 1979, while employed as clerk for
the Chamber of Commerce. A resident
brought a copper pot used in a local
whiskey still to donate to the Chamber
office. At that moment, a light
bulb of inspiration turned on in Ruth
Ann's head. She immediately
recognized the need to preserve the rich history of the small
rural communities in the south area of Bannock County. Word
traveled quickly and
soon additional artifacts, a player piano and pump organ,
were added to the collection. Exhibits were installed
in the small donated space housing the Chamber of Commerce
office. Ruth Ann's enthusiasm encouraged a dedicated
group of supporters to join the "museum movement".
An ever-growing collection called for numerous moves to different
locations throughout Lava Hot Springs. According
to Ruth Ann: "The Historical Center's moves were
a sight to behold-a caravan of trucks and pickups loaded
with artifacts, files, staff, board members and volunteers
moving up Main Street." South Bannock County Historical
Center found a permanent home in 1991, when generous supporters
and former graduates of Lava High School
raised funds to purchase the building which currently houses
the museum's exhibits and collections. Currently,
museum exhibits focus on pre-contact Native use of area resources, trappers, settlers, transportation, and development of the
mineral hot baths.
This October 11 (6:30 PM) event will also feature a reading
and book signing by Leonard Stephenson, author of "Life
Among the Lava Beds". Stephenson grew up in Lava
Hot Springs during the 1950's. The stories in
his book are warm hearted, hilarious recollections of growing
up in a "pre-video game" days of rural America,
where you had to be innovative to make a toboggan out of
old tin siding, or break an unruly colt, just for fun. "Life
Among the Lava Beds" captures a taste of the past with
a deep touch of humorous "hind sight" mixed with
decades of wisdom and fond
memories. Leonard Stephenson will also present a reading
and book signing in Old Town, Pocatello at Walrus and Carpenter
Books on October 11, 1:00 PM. |
