The Idaho Black History Museum has received a $10,000 award through the state's "highest honor for museums, historical societies and interpretive organizations," the museum announced Tuesday.
The museum received the Sister Alfreda Elsensohn Award for "outstanding work," the museum announced Tuesday in a news release. The award is handed out annually from the Idaho Humanities Council and Idaho State Historical Society and comes with a $10,000 gift.
“The Idaho State Historical Society engages communities by building upon shared experiences to inspire further action in preserving and sharing Idaho’s history,” ISHS Executive Director Janet Gallimore said in a statement. “To help meet that goal, the Idaho State Historical Society and Idaho Humanities Council recognizes organizations throughout the state that are thoughtfully and conscientiously working on sharing their history. The Idaho Black History Museum is well deserving of this award. The Museum is being recognized for their truly exceptional work in building bridges between cultures and exploring issues that affect Americans of all cultures and ethnicity.”
The award is named after Sister Alfreda Elsensohn, who founded the historical museum at St. Gertrude in the 1930s and was "one of Idaho's outstanding historians," according to the release.
“The Idaho Humanities Council encourages public awareness and understanding of history and other humanities disciplines,” David Pettyjohn, executive director of the Idaho Humanities Council, said in a statement. “The Idaho Black History Museum is being acknowledge for their exceptional exhibits and educational and community outreach programs including lectures, films, workshops, literacy programs, and musical performances. We are honored to acknowledge the Idaho Black History Museum with the Sister Alfreda award.”
