About
The Central Idaho Historical Museum brings McCall’s past to life by preserving and sharing the region’s rich timber and forestry heritage. Through historic buildings, engaging exhibits, and community storytelling, it connects residents and visitors to the people, places, and stories that shaped Central Idaho.
Our History
The Central Idaho Historical Museum is located in McCall, Idaho. The museum's four-acre site consists of eight structures, seven of which were built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in 1937 for the Southern Idaho Timber Protective Association. All eight buildings are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The crown jewel of the site is the Fire Warden's House. This three-story log structure, built in 1937, is a stunning example of American Rustic architecture with a Finnish influence. The house's interior woodwork is beautifully crafted and the furnishings are original. To visit the Fire Warden's House is to step back in time.
Central Idaho Historical Museum Today
Mission Statement
Our mission is to collect, document, organize, and preserve the legacy of McCall's timber heritage.
Mission Pillars
- We collect photographs, artifacts, and written and oral histories of the Shellworth/SITPA legacy and McCall's timber town history.
- We share our knowledge with residents and visitors through displays, tours, events, and other learning experiences.
- We assist and support the City of McCall in the preservation, maintenance, and improvement of the site and its buildings in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.
Meet Our People
Our volunteer board oversees all aspects of museum operations, including site maintenance, grant writing, budget and financial planning, organizing tours, managing site rentals, and promoting the museum through news articles, community outreach, and social media. As caretakers of the museum’s mission and future, we strive to guide the organization in a positive direction through teamwork and dedication, so the museum continues to grow and serve as a valuable community resource for years to come.
Volunteer Board Members
Kathy Deinhardt Hill
Walt Sledzieski
Kelly Martin
Marlee Wilcomb
Amy Pemberton
Sloan Dickson
Paul Wagner
What We Are Working On
For the past three years, the museum has been focused on revitalizing the Bunkhouse. With generous community support, the upstairs living quarters now house summer firefighters. New energy-efficient windows were installed on the first and second floors, LED lighting was added throughout, and an electric furnace now keeps the entire building warm through winter. All of this was made possible by people who donated their time, skills, and money to restore this historic structure.
Now we are turning our attention to the Fire Warden's House. Our goal is to make this iconic landmark a true community gathering place, open year-round. Within the next few years, we hope to give the house a fresh coat of paint, install a new electric furnace, and update the plumbing. With those improvements, the house will be ready for the public to use once again, as it did in generations past.
We will be asking for your support as we tackle each project. Together, we can turn the Fire Warden's House into a community gathering place. See our Get Involved page for more information on volunteering and donations.