Dear Friends: 2007 I’m proud to present the 2007 Idaho Humanities Council Annual Report. This report offers a summary of the Council’s commitment to our mission of connecting people with ideas in Idaho by inspiring a more literate, tolerant and intellectually inquisitive Annual Report Idaho citizenry, better able to embrace life’s possibilities. This report reflects on projects and programs funded over 2007, and brings attention to the efforts of many Smithsonian Exhibit organizations and individuals throughout the state that sought to examine the history, New Harmonies: traditions, and values of human culture. Celebrating The humanities include but are not American Roots The humanities offer us the opportunity to take pause, reflect, absorb and discover. Music toured Idaho They are the fields of inquiry that explore the heart of the human experience. They help The Smithsonian us endure and remember the power of ideas, cultivate new and emerging voices and traveling exhibition think critically about our most meaningful stories. limited to literature, history, languages, ethics, philosophy, comparative religion and New Harmonies: culture, and the interpretation of the arts. Celebrating American Roots Music visited For over 30 years, the IHC has actively nurtured the role of the humanities in the Shoshone-Bannock dancer from six Idaho communi- Lillian Vallely School at the Burley intellectual and cultural life of Idaho. As a not-for-profit, independent affiliate of grand opening of New Harmonies. the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Council works with Idaho cultural ties through 2007. institutions such as libraries, historical societies, museums, arts councils, colleges and New Harmonies was featured at the Burley Public universities, and community centers to bring innovative, thought-provoking programs Library, Idaho Falls Arts Council, Shoshone to thousands of Idahoans annually. County Mining and Smelting Museum (Kellogg), Throughout 2007, the Council continued to sponsor programs and research designed Land of the Yankee Fork Historic Area to enrich public discussion and encourage citizen involvement. The IHC expanded (Challis), Boise Basin Library (Idaho City), public programs statewide, including book discussions at local libraries, Smithsonian and the LCSC Center for Arts and History exhibition tours at rural cultural institutions, programs strengthening innovations in (Lewiston). The 800-square-foot exhibition was the teaching of the humanities, interpretive public lectures on literature and history, part of Museum on Main Street, a partnership and a number of humanities research projects. This report showcases these programs between the Federation of State Humanities and identifies the need for the humanities in our communities. Your financial support of the Council is critical to our ability to bring these programs to all corners of the Councils, the Smithsonian Institution and state. I thank you for that support. State Humanities Councils with Sincerely, rural America. The exhibit and complimentary program- 2007 at a Ron Pisaneschi ming reached over 50,000 people during its Chair Glance stay in Idaho. IHC Awarded $149,403 in Grants Thanks to major support from The Paul G. Allen institute Family Foundation, IHC funded a total of 51 the IHC launched an initiative in was supported in part by humanities grants to com- 2007-2008 that included this exhibition tour, a summer grants from the Paul G. Allen Family munity groups, schools, teacher institute and various regional concerts. Foundation and the National Endowment for the teachers and individuals, Distinguished Humanities Dinners and Lectures Humanities “We the People” program. supporting projects, programs, planning, and research Boise - Presidential historian Michael Beschloss, author fellowships serving both local and statewide audiences. Outstanding Achievement in the Humanities Award of many books including The Conquerors, gave the The IHC honored former Lewis-Clark State College th Speakers Bureau Booked 129 Programs Statewide IHC’s 11 Annual Distinguished Humanities Lecture English Professor Keith Browning, founding editor of IHC’s popular Speakers Bureau, operating with gen- in early October erous contributions from the Governor’s Lewis and Confluence to more than 700 Press, with its Clark Trail Committee, continued active bookings in people. Beschloss 2007 Award for all regions of the state. Programs were presented in 50 spoke about his latest “Outstanding Presidential cities and towns throughout Idaho, reaching more than book, Achievement Courage 6,200 people. , which in the reviews piv- Teachers Studied American Roots Music at 2007 Humanities” otal moments in Summer Institute Thirty-four Idaho teachers from Michael Beschloss spoke about pivotal in Lewiston American history moments in American history and presi- around the state attended IHC’s 2007 weeklong sum- in February when Presidents have dential courage in Boise. IHC Chair Ron Pisaneschi (left) and IHC 2008. The made brave decisions that altered history. Thanks to the Executive Director Rick Ardinger (right) present- IHC annually ed Bailey Puckett (Keith Browning’s granddaugh- OfficeMax Boise Community Fund for generously ter) with IHC’s 2007 award for “Outstanding recognizes sponsoring the evening, to Holland and Hart for spon- Achievement in the Humanities. an individual soring the Benefactor Reception and to media sponsors or organization for outstanding contributions that The Idaho Statesman and Idaho Public Television. promote greater public awareness, appreciation, and Coeur d’Alene - Andrew Carroll, best selling author understanding of the humanities in Idaho. Browning of War Letters: Extraordinary Correspondence from was selected to receive the award for his contributions American Wars, spoke about the importance of preserv- as a literary editor who devoted much of his life to ing wartime correspondence at the IHC’s 4th Annual promoting and publishing the literary works of others. North Idaho Unfortunately, Browning came down with the flu just Distinguished days before the award presentation and was unable to Humanities Lecture attend. Instead, IHC Chair Ron Pisaneschi presented in late October. Browning’s award to his granddaughter Bailey Puckett. Thirty-four teachers attended IHC’s 2007 summer institute. Earlier in the day, mer institute New Harmonies: Exploring American “Let’s Talk About It” (LTAI) Completed its 22nd Year he spoke to 1,000 Roots Music in July at the College of Idaho in Caldwell. Fifteen libraries were selected by the Idaho State high school stu- The team of scholars included Western Folklife Center Library to host 75 scholar-led book discussion programs Author Andrew Carroll poses with Coeur dents at Lake City folklorist Hal Cannon (Salt Lake City, UT); former as part of the 2007 d’Alene area high school students follow- and Coeur d’Alene Library of Congress Folklife Center folklorist and fid- “Let’s Talk About ing a guest appearance. High Schools. dler Alan Jabbour, (Washington, D.C.); music journal- It” series. IHC has Thanks to Riley Creek Lumber and Sterling Savings ist, blues scholar, and prolific author Robert Santelli partnered with the Bank for sponsoring the evening, the Hagadone (Los Angeles, CA); and Idaho folksinger and Grammy Library since 1985 Corporation for supporting the Benefactor Reception, Award-nominee Rosalie Sorrels (Boise). The institute to bring the series to rural and small Idaho communi- Idaho Public Television and Coeur d’Alene Press for included daily presentations by scholars and musicians ties since 1985. Generous support from US Bancorp serving as media sponsors. examining the history of roots music and the cultural Foundation made the series possible in the communi- process that made America the birthplace of more music ties of Star, Rupert, Hansen and Kimberly (co-hosts), than any other place on earth. The week immersed Preston, McCall, Salmon, Weippe, Sandpoint, Idaho teachers of all disciplines in the study of music and Falls, Nezperce, Malad, Stanley, Twin Falls, and Priest its unique place in America’s culture and identity. The River. Over 1,000 people participated. Annual Report 1 2007 Grants for Public Projects, Research Fellowships, K-12 Teacher Projects, and Planning Idaho Public Television (Statewide) Lewis-Clark State College (Lewiston) received $2,000 Mini and Major Grants: st The Magic Valley Arts Council (Twin Falls) was was awarded $4,999 for a video docu- to support the 21 annual Native American Awareness awarded $1,000 to launch a brown bag lecture series mentary titled “Trial of the Century,” Week, held in March 2008. featuring talks on Idaho history including the Japanese which explores the assassination of Idaho State University (Pocatello) was awarded Internment Camp at Minidoka and Basque history. Idaho Governor Frank Steunenberg $1,500 to host a multidisciplinary conference on “The in 1905 and the subsequent trial in Art of Gender in Everyday Life,” in March 2008. The Historical Museum of Boise in 1907 of radical labor orga- St. Gertrude’s Monastery nizer William “Big Bill” Haywood. The University of Idaho (Cottonwood) received $3,982 The trial involved famous defense (Moscow) received $3,502 to conduct an oral history proj- attorney Clarence Darrow, prosecution to host a conference on “Jazz ect centering on Monastery attorneys William Borah and James Hawley, and was History and Culture,” honoring th foodways. Susan Swetnam, followed in newspapers throughout the U.S. the 100 anniversary of Lionel Idaho