Historic Preservation Commission
“Preserving the Past for the Future”
1st Greenleaf Friends Academy, 1910
Historic Guffey Railroad Bridge
Old Schoolhouse Museum, Greenleaf
Petroglyphs at Celebration Park
Melba Valley Museum
Melba Valley Museum
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, the 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 which was provided 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 participating in the CLG, not the least of which is: the ability to take advantage of the experience at our 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.
If you’d like to receive communications about the HPC, such as monthly meeting reminders and other information, just e-mail Nichole.Schwend@canyoncounty.id.gov and/or Chelsee.Boehm@canyoncounty.id.gov and request to be added to the Canyon County Historic Preservation Commission e-mail distribution.
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 components for two essential duties of the HPC: it 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: The cities of Caldwell and Nampa both have their own Historic Preservation Commissions, so the Canyon County plan intentionally emphasizes the areas outside these two cities. (See “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 the state of 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 “Grants” tab (above).
The FY2025 Grant application period is now closed.
Idaho Code § 31-864 grants the boards of county commissioners in their respective counties 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.
In general, the Historic Preservation tax levy funds can go to:
(1) Support of historical societies which operate primarily within the county; or
(2) Support of museums operated within the county; or
(3) Support of historical restoration projects undertaken within the county; or
(4) Marking and development of historic sites within the county.
Grant Application Review: Applications are reviewed by the Historic Preservation Commission each spring to ensure that each meets the qualifications for the historic preservation levy. Applicants are required to provide proof of 501(c)(3) or nonprofit status. Each project is strongly encouraged to provide financial estimates/bids, letters of commitment for maintenance and long-term sustainability of the project, letters of commitment for grant matches, letters of support, drawings/plans, and photos. The review process provides the HPC a chance to ask questions about the proposal, allow for clarifications, or request additional information before the final recommendations are made to the Board of County Commissioners.
The Board of County Commissioners 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.
RESOURCES 
FY24 Historic Preservation Grants Awarded
Historic Preservation Grant Project Update-Completion Report
Previously Funded Examples
FY25 Grant Application Timeline
FY25 Grant Workshop Flyer
For a list of Idaho Historic Preservation Professional Consultants, click here:
https://history.idaho.gov/section-106/hiring-a-consultant/
FY25 Grant Application Form
Hello Historic Preservationists!
The next Historic Preservation Commission meeting will be Tuesday, August 13 at 6:30pm at the Caldwell Public Library (1010 Dearborn St., Caldwell, 83605).
Historic Preservation Meetings are held at 6:30 PM on the 2nd Tuesday of every month unless otherwise posted.
Location: Lake Lowell Parks Office, 12996 Iowa Ave, Nampa, ID 83686
Agendas:
Past Meeting 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
2023-11-14 HPC Meeting #117 Minutes
2023-10-10 HPC Meeting #116 Minutes
2023-09-12 HPC Meeting #115 Minutes
2023-07-11 HPC Meeting #114 Minutes
2023-06-13 HPC Meeting #113 Minutes
2023-05-09 HPC Meeting #112 Minutes
2023-04-11 HPC Meeting #111 Minutes
For older meeting minutes, contact Canyon County Parks, Cultural & Natural Resources Staff
To be added to the email list to receive agendas and meeting location details, or obtain minutes, please send your email request to parks@canyoncounty.id.gov.
Check out some of the museums, parks, and other organizations sharing and caring for history in Canyon County!
*Please note: Information obtained from our partner’s websites. Hours of operation and cost of admission are subject to change. Check websites or contact organizations directly to confirm*
MUSEUMS |
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Canyon County Historical Society Hours of Operation- |
Our Memories Indian Creek Museum Hours of Operation-
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Canyon County Historical Society | Facebook |
| Greenleaf Historical Society (202) 555-1212 |
No Posted Hours of Operation – Contact for more information
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Greenleaf Historical Society | Facebook |
| Historical Society of Middleton (208) 284-8675 historicalsocietyofmiddleton@gmail.com |
Hours of Operation-
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Historical Society of Middleton, Idaho | Facebook |
| Melba Valley Historical Society – Melba Valley Museum 310 Carrie Rex Ave, Melba, ID 83641 melbavalleymuseum@gmail.com |
Hours of Operation-
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Melba Valley Historical Society | Facebook |
| Orma J. Smith Museum of Natural History 2112 Cleveland Blvd., Caldwell, ID 83605 (208) 459-5507 |
Hours of Operation-
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C of I’s Museum of Natural History works to catalog their collection (kivitv.com) |
| Van Slyke Agricultural Museum 621 Harrison St., Caldwell, ID 83605 |
Undergoing renovation
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| Warhawk Air Museum 201 Municipal Drive, Nampa, ID 83687 (208) 465-6446 admin@warhawkairmuseum.org |
Hours of Operation-
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Warhawk Air Museum | Facebook |
PARKS & SITES |
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Cleo’s Ferry Museum
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Cleo’s Ferry Museum | Facebook | |
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Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge
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Hours of Operation- Monday-Friday: 8am-4pm Saturday: 10-4pm |
Deer Flat National Wildlife Refuge | Facebook |
| Old Fort Boise 20847 Old Fort Boise Rd., Parma, ID 83660 |
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CLUBS & OTHER ORGANIZATIONS |
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American Legion Post 18
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American Legion Nampa Post 18 | Facebook | |
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Caldwell Model Railroad Club & Historical Society
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Caldwell Model Railroad Club & Historical Society | Facebook | |
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Nampa Valley Grange 131
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Nampa Valley Grange 131 | Facebook | |
OTHER PRESERVATION COMMISSIONS IN CANYON COUNTY |
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| Caldwell Historic Preservation Commission |
Mission: |
Meets the third Monday of every month at 6:00pm. Supplemental meetings held on the first Monday of the month as needed. Held at Caldwell Planning & Zoning Department, Second Floor, 205 S. 6th Ave, Caldwell, ID 83605 |
| Nampa Arts & Historic Preservation Commission (AHPC) |
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Regular meetings are held the second Monday of the month at 4:00pm at Nampa City Hall in Council Chambers, 411 3rd Street South, Nampa, ID 83651 |
Please note: Information obtained from our partner’s websites. Hours of operation and cost of admission are subject to change. Check websites or contact organizations directly to confirm.
MEMBERS
George DeFord, Jr.
Owner and Attorney at DeFord Law
Nikki Gorrell
College of Western Idaho, Associate Professor of Anthropology
Bruce Poe
Modus Architecture Collaborative, Principal Architect
Vicki Stark
Archaeologist
Dr. Justin Vance
College of Western Idaho, Dean, School of Arts and Humanities
Zach Wesley
Civil, Prosecuting Attorney
Chelsee Boehm
Canyon County Parks, Cultural & Natural Resources; Public Historian
Mailing
1115 Albany St.
Caldwell, ID 83605
Phone
208-454-6884
