Ellie Norman

Chinese Liquor Bottle

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Among the artifacts on display in Tracks & Traces: Reconstructing Chinese History in Southern Idaho is a ceramic liquor bottle, a remnant of the global trade networks that connected China to the United States in the early 20th century. Produced in the 1930s by the renowned Chinese distillery Wing Lee Wai, this bottle once held Ng Ka Pi—a potent variety of baijiu (“white spirit”) infused with the medicinal herb Wu Jia Pi.

The distillery Wing Lee Wai, which translates to “eternal fortune and fame,” was founded in 1876 by Wong Sing-hui in Nanhai, a district of Foshan, Guangdong, China. By the 1920s, the company had become one of China’s largest distilleries, exporting spirits to Chinese communities overseas, including those in Idaho. The bottle likely dates from between 1935 and 1940 as it’s label bears the distillery’s “Two Cranes” trademark, first registered in 1914, and an embossed marking reading “Federal Law Forbids Sale or Reuse of this Bottle” which was a requirement introduced after the repeal of Prohibition in 1933.

Liquor bottles like this one offer a glimpse into the everyday lives of Chinese immigrants in Idaho, where food and drink helped maintain cultural ties to their homeland. Whether it was enjoyed as a medicinal tonic or a social drink, Ng Ka Pi was likely familiar to many who lived and worked in Idaho’s mining camps, railroad towns, and small Chinatowns.

We invite you to visit Tracks & Traces in The Community Library’s foyer to see this artifact and others that reveal the history of Chinese immigrants in southern Idaho. The exhibit is on display now through the end of May.

On Loan from the Blaine County Historical Museum in Hailey, 2025.FIC.1.1.

Chinese Liquor Bottle

by

Among the artifacts on display in Tracks & Traces: Reconstructing Chinese History in Southern Idaho is a ceramic liquor bottle, a remnant of the global trade networks that connected China to the United States in the early 20th century. Produced in the 1930s by the renowned Chinese distillery Wing Lee Wai, this bottle once held Ng Ka Pi—a potent variety of baijiu (“white spirit”) infused with the medicinal herb Wu Jia Pi.

The distillery Wing Lee Wai, which translates to “eternal fortune and fame,” was founded in 1876 by Wong Sing-hui in Nanhai, a district of Foshan, Guangdong, China. By the 1920s, the company had become one of China’s largest distilleries, exporting spirits to Chinese communities overseas, including those in Idaho. The bottle likely dates from between 1935 and 1940 as it’s label bears the distillery’s “Two Cranes” trademark, first registered in 1914, and an embossed marking reading “Federal Law Forbids Sale or Reuse of this Bottle” which was a requirement introduced after the repeal of Prohibition in 1933.

Liquor bottles like this one offer a glimpse into the everyday lives of Chinese immigrants in Idaho, where food and drink helped maintain cultural ties to their homeland. Whether it was enjoyed as a medicinal tonic or a social drink, Ng Ka Pi was likely familiar to many who lived and worked in Idaho’s mining camps, railroad towns, and small Chinatowns.

We invite you to visit Tracks & Traces in The Community Library’s foyer to see this artifact and others that reveal the history of Chinese immigrants in southern Idaho. The exhibit is on display now through the end of May.

On Loan from the Blaine County Historical Museum in Hailey, 2025.FIC.1.1.

Sun Valley Ski School Instructor Jacket

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As ski season takes off, we’re highlighting a unique piece from the Wood River Museum of History & Culture’s collection: a Sun Valley Ski School Instructor jacket, likely dating from the late 1960s to early 1970s. This navy blue jacket is adorned with striking yellow, orange, and red stripes that stretch from wrist to shoulder, each stripe about an inch wide. A patch proudly displaying “Sun Valley Instructor” is stitched onto the front left side, and the interior tag reads “Sport Alm; Made in Kitzbuhel-Austria,” signalizing its European craftsmanship.

The Sun Valley Ski School has a storied history, deeply intertwined with the resort’s early years. When Sun Valley Resort was established in the 1930s, founders Averell Harriman and Count Felix Schaffgotsch aimed to introduce Americans to the thrill of skiing. Unlike Europe, where skiing was already well-established, Americans were less familiar with the sport, often perceiving it as an extreme and unattainable pursuit. To counter this, Harriman recruited some of the world’s finest Austrian ski instructors to come teach in Sun Valley to create an authentic European-style skiing experience.

The ski school began in 1936 with just six instructors. Its reputation quickly grew, and by 1946, the staff had expanded to 22 instructors. Under the leadership of Sigi Engl in 1961, the school boasted 58 skilled professionals. Engl, a legendary figure in the skiing world, helped transform Sun Valley into a premier destination for skiers of all levels. Today, visitors from across the globe continue to visit Sun Valley and learn how to ski from the town’s talented instructors who carry on the tradition of making winter sports accessible and enjoyable for generations. This instructor jacket is not just a piece of clothing; it’s a symbol of Sun Valley’s legacy in shaping the American ski experience.

Wood River Museum of History and Culture, 2021.01.60.

Sun Valley Ski School Instructor Jacket

by

As ski season takes off, we’re highlighting a unique piece from the Wood River Museum of History & Culture’s collection: a Sun Valley Ski School Instructor jacket, likely dating from the late 1960s to early 1970s. This navy blue jacket is adorned with striking yellow, orange, and red stripes that stretch from wrist to shoulder, each stripe about an inch wide. A patch proudly displaying “Sun Valley Instructor” is stitched onto the front left side, and the interior tag reads “Sport Alm; Made in Kitzbuhel-Austria,” signalizing its European craftsmanship.

The Sun Valley Ski School has a storied history, deeply intertwined with the resort’s early years. When Sun Valley Resort was established in the 1930s, founders Averell Harriman and Count Felix Schaffgotsch aimed to introduce Americans to the thrill of skiing. Unlike Europe, where skiing was already well-established, Americans were less familiar with the sport, often perceiving it as an extreme and unattainable pursuit. To counter this, Harriman recruited some of the world’s finest Austrian ski instructors to come teach in Sun Valley to create an authentic European-style skiing experience.

The ski school began in 1936 with just six instructors. Its reputation quickly grew, and by 1946, the staff had expanded to 22 instructors. Under the leadership of Sigi Engl in 1961, the school boasted 58 skilled professionals. Engl, a legendary figure in the skiing world, helped transform Sun Valley into a premier destination for skiers of all levels. Today, visitors from across the globe continue to visit Sun Valley and learn how to ski from the town’s talented instructors who carry on the tradition of making winter sports accessible and enjoyable for generations. This instructor jacket is not just a piece of clothing; it’s a symbol of Sun Valley’s legacy in shaping the American ski experience.

Wood River Museum of History and Culture, 2021.01.60.

Kent Kreitler’s Custom Painted Helmet

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This hand-painted helmet, donated by extreme skier Kent Kreitler, is a remarkable blend of athletic gear and personal expression. Kreitler, a pioneer of big mountain skiing, made his name by pushing the boundaries of the sport in ways few had before. Born in Kansas City, MO and raised in Sun Valley, Kreitler honed his skills in the challenging terrain of the Sawtooth Mountains, and Ketchum became a home base for his lifelong passion for skiing. His influence is deeply felt in the world of extreme sports, where his daring descents and inventive tricks earned him a place in the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame.

The helmet, which he wore during his illustrious career, is covered in vibrant, hand-painted details. On the left side, a man in a red shirt with a clenched fist stands out against a white background, symbolizing resilience and strength. The center features “JONES” in hand-painted letters, a nod to one of Kreitler’s key sponsors, Jones Soda, along with “Boeri” in white stickers, representing the helmet manufacturer. The right side adds a playful touch with “WHOOP ASS” written in red novelty font, while the back repeats the Boeri name in yellow stickers.

One of the most distinctive features of the helmet is the red chin guard, which boldly displays “THE KREITLER”, marking this helmet as a true piece of personal memorabilia from his distinguished career.

Kreitler’s connection to the Wood River Valley runs deep. He was part of a generation of skiers who helped solidify Ketchum’s reputation as a hub for extreme sports. This helmet, with its mix of personal touches and sponsor shoutouts, represents not just an athlete but a pivotal moment in the culture of skiing.

From the Kent Kreitler Collection, Wood River Museum of History and Culture.

Kent Kreitler’s Custom Painted Helmet

by

This hand-painted helmet, donated by extreme skier Kent Kreitler, is a remarkable blend of athletic gear and personal expression. Kreitler, a pioneer of big mountain skiing, made his name by pushing the boundaries of the sport in ways few had before. Born in Kansas City, MO and raised in Sun Valley, Kreitler honed his skills in the challenging terrain of the Sawtooth Mountains, and Ketchum became a home base for his lifelong passion for skiing. His influence is deeply felt in the world of extreme sports, where his daring descents and inventive tricks earned him a place in the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Hall of Fame.

The helmet, which he wore during his illustrious career, is covered in vibrant, hand-painted details. On the left side, a man in a red shirt with a clenched fist stands out against a white background, symbolizing resilience and strength. The center features “JONES” in hand-painted letters, a nod to one of Kreitler’s key sponsors, Jones Soda, along with “Boeri” in white stickers, representing the helmet manufacturer. The right side adds a playful touch with “WHOOP ASS” written in red novelty font, while the back repeats the Boeri name in yellow stickers.

One of the most distinctive features of the helmet is the red chin guard, which boldly displays “THE KREITLER”, marking this helmet as a true piece of personal memorabilia from his distinguished career.

Kreitler’s connection to the Wood River Valley runs deep. He was part of a generation of skiers who helped solidify Ketchum’s reputation as a hub for extreme sports. This helmet, with its mix of personal touches and sponsor shoutouts, represents not just an athlete but a pivotal moment in the culture of skiing.

From the Kent Kreitler Collection, Wood River Museum of History and Culture.

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