Historic Preservation Commission
“Preserving the Past for the Future”The next Historic Preservation meeting will be Tuesday, November 25, at 6:30pm
ABOUT
Background: The Canyon County Board of Commissioners (BOCC), by resolution, re-established the Canyon County Historic Preservation Commission (HPC) in January 2013. The HPC is an advisory board in matters pertaining to historic preservation in Canyon County. Authority is granted to the HPC pursuant to Article 3, Section 6 of Canyon County code.
Advisory Board Membership: A diverse and remarkable group appointed by the BOCC, members usually include attorneys, anthropologists, archaeologists, architects, historians and historic preservationists, all having one thing in common: an interest in preserving our cultural resources as educational opportunities for the future.
Certified Local Government (CLG): Canyon County is a CLG – a program created through an amendment to the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966. The CLG gives local governments a specific, formal role in historic preservation. There are a few benefits to being a CLG, not the least of which is: the ability to utilize resources and staff at the Idaho State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO); and to be eligible to apply for grants each year from SHPO – federal dollars that they receive from the National Park Service.
The Canyon County Historic Preservation Commission is responsible for providing input and guidance on many projects in Canyon County.
Canyon County Historic Preservation Plan (HPP): In 2018, the HPC completed an update of the original 1992 Canyon County Historic Preservation Plan. The plan provides an outline for a viable preservation program that will be an integral part of Canyon County’s community planning, and it provides direction for the historic preservation effort within Canyon County.
NOTE: Caldwell and Nampa both have their own Historic Preservation Commissions, so the Canyon County plan intentionally emphasizes the areas outside these two cities. See the “Historic Preservation Plan (HPP)” tab above for more details.
Canyon County Historic Preservation Grant Award Program: A unique responsibility/duty of the Canyon County HPC, under the direction of the Board of County Commissioners, is the recommendation and administration of the Canyon County Historic Preservation Grant Award Program. This program funds qualified, non-profit organizations in Canyon County who have a mission of conservation, protection and maintenance of historic objects, information or properties. Canyon County is the ONLY county in Idaho that sets aside a sliver of property tax revenue (not more than twelve one-thousandths percent (.012%)) dedicated to a grant award program for historic preservation projects every year. Details of this program are described in the “Grant Program” tab (above).
Idaho Code § 31-864 grants the BOCC the authority to levy not more than twelve one-thousandths percent (.012%) on each dollar of market value for assessment purposes of taxable property within the County for the support of county historic societies and historic preservation projects. Per state law, these tax levy funds can go to: (1) Support of historical societies which operate primarily within the county; (2) Support of museums operated within the county; (3) Support of historical restoration projects undertaken within the county; (4) Marking and development of historic sites within the county.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Every February, Parks, Cultural & Natural Resources staff hold an information session to open the grant application season, and answer questions that anyone may have. applicants then have until April 30 to complete and submit their requests for funding.
The Historic Preservation Commission reviews applications to ensure that each meets the qualifications of the historic preservation levy. The extended review process gives the HPC a chance to ask questions about the proposal, allow for clarifications, or request additional information before final recommendations are made to the Board of County Commissioners. The BOCC has final say on all grant support award applications.
Once applications are approved for support awards by the BOCC, the historic preservation tax levy is set along with the entire County Budget at that exact allocation for the following fiscal year. Applicants are required to provide proof of 501(c)(3) or nonprofit status. We strongly encourage including financial estimates/bids, letters of commitment for maintenance and long-term sustainability, letters of commitment for grant matches (not required, but always welcome), letters of support, drawings/plans, and photos of current conditions.
Necessary forms and a timeline can be found below.
If you have any questions about requirements, potential projects, or need assistance completing the application, please contact Chelsee Boehm or Nichole Schwend,
HPC FY2026 Grant Application
*If you are completing the application digitally, be sure to download and save the document prior to editing, otherwise changes will not be saved.
OTHER RESOURCES & FORMS
HPC Previously Funded Examples
Historic Preservation Grant Project Update-Completion Report
A list of Idaho Historic Preservation Professional Consultants, is available here: https://history.idaho.gov/section-106/hiring-a-consultant/
For more information on other grant opportunities, please contact Chelsee Boehm.
The 2027 fiscal year (October 2026 to September 2027) grant period will open February 11, 2026. Applications will be due April 30, 2026.
Click here to view the FY2027 grant application timeline
Click Here to See FY2026 Grant Recipients
The next Historic Preservation Commission meeting will be Tuesday, November 25, at the Lake Lowell Parks Office (12996 Iowa Ave, Nampa, ID 83686).
For copies of documents for review, please contact Chelsee Boehm, Historic Preservation Officer.
Most Recent Meeting Agenda:
October 2025 HPC Agenda #136
Approved Past Meeting Minutes:
2025-08-12 HPC Meeting #135 Minutes
2025-07-08 HPC Meeting #134 Minutes
2025-06-10 HPC Meeting #133 Minutes
2025-05-13 HPC Meeting #132 Minutes
2025-04-21 HPC Meeting #131 Minutes
2025-03-11 HPC Meeting #130 Minutes
2025-01-21 HPC Meeting #129 Minutes
2024-11-12 HPC Meeting #128 Minutes
2024-10-08 HPC Meeting #127 Minutes
2024-09-10 HPC Meeting #126 Minutes
2024-08-13 HPC Meeting #125 Minutes
2024-07-09 HPC Meeting #124 Minutes
2024-06-11 HPC Meeting #123 Minutes
2024-05-14 HPC Meeting #122 Minutes
2024-04-23 HPC Meeting #121 Minutes
2024-03-12 HPC Meeting #120 Minutes
2024-02-13 HPC Meeting #119 Minutes
2024-01-09 HPC Meeting #118 Minutes
Historic Preservation Commission Meetings are held at 6:30 PM on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at the Lake Lowell Parks Office (12996 Iowa Ave, Nampa, ID 83686), unless otherwise posted. For older meeting minutes, contact Canyon County Parks, Cultural & Natural Resources Staff.
Canyon County’s history dates back to pre-contact and extends into the twenty-first century, during which time it has experienced meteoric growth. With continued pressure for growth and infill development, it is important that the County ensure it effectively manages and balances the maintenance of its cultural resources in concert with new development. The Historic Preservation Plan (HPP) outlines the essential components for a viable preservation program as an integral part of Canyon County’s community planning. The HPP is a guiding document identifying community priorities for the preservation of cultural resources and sets forth related goals, politics, and action steps toward their implementation.
You can read the Plan by clicking below: Canyon County Historic Preservation Plan
The Canyon County Historic Preservation Commission frequently works with other Certified Local Governments (CLGs). We encourage you to check out their webpages linked below!
Ada County Historic Preservation Council
Caldwell Historic Preservation Commission
Nampa Arts & Historic Preservation Commission
George DeFord, Jr.
Owner and Attorney
DeFord Law
Term expiring 6/10/2027
Nikki Gorrell
Associate Professor of Anthropology
College of Western Idaho
Term expiring 1/31/2028
Dr. Rachel Miller
Klara K. Hansberger Assistant Professor of History
College of Idaho
Term expiring 4/29/2026
Bruce Poe
Principal Architect
Modus Architecture Collaborative
Term expiring 1/11/2026
Dr. Justin Vance
Dean, School of Arts and Humanities
College of Western Idaho
Term expiring 1/11/2026
Zach Wesley
Civil, Prosecuting Attorney
Canyon County
Term expiring 6/10/2026
Chelsee Boehm
Historic Preservation Officer
Canyon County Parks, Cultural & Natural Resources
Term expiring 4/29/2026
Mailing
1115 Albany St.
Caldwell, ID 83605
Phone
208-454-6884
