Collection Highlights-History

The summer of 1884 was an exciting time to be living in the Wood River Valley. The mines were booming, the railroad had arrived in Hailey, and just a couple years earlier, Hailey had been declared the county seat of Alturas County in a hotly contested special election with Bellevue.

Befitting its new status, the county had commissioned a new courthouse to be built in Hailey in 1882. At the cost of $40,000, funded through bonds, the new courthouse was the most expensive building in the Idaho Territory at the time. The courthouse was due to be completed in the summer of 1884, and the local post of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR), a fraternal organization of Union Civil War veterans, was throwing a ball at the courthouse to celebrate its opening.

The event would also serve as a fundraiser for the fledgling Hailey GAR post, named E. D. Baker after US Senator Edward Dickinson Baker from Oregon. Baker, a staunch unionist and a close friend of Abraham Lincoln, was killed in an early battle of the Civil War and remains the only sitting US senator to ever die in a military engagement.

This small newspaper ad, now held in the archive of the Jeanne Rodger Lane Center for Regional History, was distributed to advertise this grand occasion to the valley’s residents. Though delayed a week due to construction delays, the inaugural ball took place on July 1, 1884, and was a great success.

Making the front-page of the Wood River Times Weekly the following day, it was written, “All of 60 couples were in attendance, including 10 couples from Bellevue, and dancing was continued until after 4 o’clock this morning – something quite unusual. Nor was any time lost between dances. Ten and nine quadrille sets were on the floor at one time, and very few failed to return after supper.”

The paper also notes that even more would have been in attendance if not for the conditions of the roads preventing a group from Ketchum from attending. The Times reports that the ball surely brought in more than $100 for the GAR.

This newspaper ad and the event it advertised serve as a great window into the vibrancy and excitement in the valley at the peak of its mining boom. Similarly, the same courthouse from 1884 still stands in Hailey today and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, an incredible glimpse into the history of the Wood River Valley.

More here from the Center for Regional History.

Step into the rich tapestry of Basque culture with our zahato Bag, a testament to tradition and heritage. Crafted from tanned and close-cropped goatskin, this bag serves as a distinctive Basque variant of the Spanish bota bag. Beyond its practical use for carrying wine, it stands as a symbol of Basque craftsmanship and identity.

Adorned with a vibrant painted illustration, our zahato Bag depicts a bullfighter in action, waving a red cape at a bucking bull. This imagery not only reflects the Basque fascination with bullfighting but also encapsulates the spirit of resilience and bravery inherent in Basque tradition.

Originating from the Basque Country in Europe, Basques first migrated to Idaho in the mid-1800s, initially drawn by the promise of gold. However, as opportunities in gold dwindled, many Basques turned to sheep herding, a skill they brought with them from their homeland.

In Ketchum and Hailey, Idaho, this Basque community flourished, weaving its vibrant culture into the fabric of local life. From traditional festivals to culinary delights, the Basque influence permeates the region, leaving a lasting mark on Idaho’s cultural landscape.

This zahato bag is newly on display in the Wood River Museum’s Cabinet of Wonders! We invite you to visit the museum to see this and many other fascinating objects that provide insight to Idaho’s rich cultural history.

Throughout sports history, certain figures emerge not only as masters of their primary discipline but also as exemplars of versatility. Among them stands Gretchen Fraser, renowned for her trailblazing feats in alpine skiing. However, it is a lesser-known facet of her athletic ability that we celebrate today, captured in this moment at the Oregon State Horse Show of September 1956.

The photograph shows Fraser in a departure from her customary alpine domain, astride her trusted companion Briarcrest mid-vertical leap. Here, suspended in mid-air, Fraser transcends the slopes to embrace the equestrian arena with equal grace and determination.

Born in 1919, Fraser’s swift rise in skiing began in the 1930s, culminating in her historic gold medal triumph at the 1948 Winter Olympics in St. Moritz. Her unmatched technical precision and steadfast resolve not only secured her place in sports history, but also paved the way for future generations of female athletes. As one gazes upon this moment frozen in time, they are invited to marvel not only at Fraser’s equestrian skills but also to reflect on the unyielding spirit that propelled her to greatness across diverse arenas of competition. In celebrating her versatility, homage is paid not only to an Olympic icon but also to the enduring power of the human spirit to defy boundaries and transcend expectations.

From the Bob Porter Collection, 1998.17.01, Wood River Museum of History and Culture.

In the sparkling realm of figure skating, where grace meets athleticism, one dress holds the memories of a remarkable career’s grand finale. This chartreuse figure skating dress was worn by Sonya Klopfer Dunfield in her final competitive performance at the 1952 Oslo Olympics, where she placed fourth.

As the spotlight covered the ice, Dunfield’s elegant movements dazzled spectators, leaving a lasting mark on the sport. Yet, this performance marked not just the culmination of her competitive journey but also the beginning of a new chapter in her storied career.

Transitioning from athlete to mentor, Dunfield found her next calling as a figure skating coach. From the bustling streets of New York City to the serene landscapes of Orleans, Ontario, and the snow-capped peaks of Sun Valley, she imparted her wisdom and passion to generations of aspiring skaters. In recognition of her exceptional talents, Dunfield was honored with induction into the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame in 2009, a testament to her enduring impact on the sport. And in 2019, her legacy was honored locally with her induction into the Sun Valley Winter Sports Hall of Fame, cementing her place among the legends of the sport in one of its most iconic locales.

This dress serves as a reminder not only of Dunfield’s grace and skill on the ice but also of her remarkable journey from Olympic athlete to coaching luminary. Through her tireless dedication and boundless passion, she not only left an indelible mark on the sport of figure skating but also inspired countless others to follow in her footsteps.

From the Sonya Dunfield Collection, 2006.25.01a, Wood River Museum of History and Culture.

A cherished memento from the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, this blue and red adorned banner bears a straightforward message: ‘Good Luck!! Sondra Van Ert Team USA.’ Though her 17th place finish in the parallel giant slalom may not have garnered the spotlight of gold, it symbolizes the culmination of years of unwavering determination. Van Ert’s experience in winter sports began on the slopes as a skilled skier—her talent evident in her impressive third place finish in the downhill race at the 1984 U.S. Championships. Yet, it was a fateful visit to Sun Valley in 1990 that altered the trajectory of her career.

Inspired by the exhilarating sight of fellow winter sports enthusiasts flying down Baldy’s slopes on snowboards, Van Ert embarked on a new chapter, transitioning from skis to snowboard with characteristic gusto. Her natural athleticism and fearless spirit quickly propelled her to the upper echelons of snowboarding, culminating in her representation of Team USA on the grand stage of the Winter Olympics.

Beyond the medals and accolades, Van Ert’s journey embodies the essence of resilience and reinvention. Following the conclusion of her competitive career, she embarked on a new adventure, planting roots in the idyllic Wood River Valley with her family.

Here, amidst the majestic peaks and pristine slopes she once conquered, Van Ert found a new calling as the owner of Baldy Sports store in Hailey, where she continued to inspire and empower the next generation of snow sports enthusiasts.

As one looks upon this simple yet thoughtful banner, they are reminded not only of Van Ert’s Olympic legacy but also the enduring spirit of courage, passion, and perseverance that defines her remarkable journey from the slopes to success.

From the Sondra Van Ert Collection, 2005.07.19, Wood River Museum of History and Culture.