What can you find in a local historical society and museum? I recently visited the Cassia County Historical Society & Museum located in Burley, Idaho, my hometown. I had visited the museum as a young girl and then later as a young mother, taking my children. This time, I visited with a genealogist’s perspective to see what could be gleaned for someone researching their ancestor’s history. I noticed that many of the exhibits were the same, but I also discovered some new treasures.

Scrapbooks

The museum features a large, raised table with several scrapbooks containing carefully curated and organized newspaper articles. Several of them were full of specific articles about the museum, and I hoped to find mention of my Kelsey family in them.

I was ten years old when the museum was established in 1972. My Uncle Ted Kelsey was instrumental in the inception and sadly passed away unexpectedly on August 1, 1971, at the age of 52. Our family was devastated, especially my mother. Ted was nine years older than her and always took care of his baby sister. I was touched to find two pages in the museum scrapbooks devoted to newspaper articles covering his death. One page also included a tribute letter from the Chamber of Commerce.

Three flag poles were erected in front of the museum, and the center one had Ted’s name written using horseshoes. He loved to ride, and this was a fitting tribute, ensuring his name would live on.

I also found two pages in the scrapbooks featuring the cabin my family donated to the museum. My grandfather, Edward Raymond Kelsey, disassembled the pioneer cabin in the 1940s and then reassembled it on his farm. After his death, his widow and children decided that it would be a perfect addition to the museum, and it now sits out in front, joined by two other cabins.

The cabin originally served as a schoolhouse, so it now holds a stove, desks, slates, and other educational items. When my grandfather moved the cabin, he numbered the logs, and many of those numbers are still visible on the inside. I researched and wrote about the cabin in the blog post Social Media: Edward Raymond Kelsey’s Cabin

County Map

A large topographic map greets visitors when first entering the museum. The interactive map illuminates various trails when the user clicks the corresponding button. This was original to the museum and fascinated me as a child. I still love seeing the trails light up and thinking of the pioneers who crossed through the area on the way west to California or Oregon. The map shows the Snake River at the top, marking the county boundary, as well as cities and towns, and the southern mountain range. The carefully chosen artifacts displayed in front remind us of the challenge of taking a wagon through the area, which was then only sagebrush.

World War II Exhibit

New to me was the World War II exhibit, which occupies an entire room. It features a jeep, an eagle, and uniforms of all types from the conflict. Organized by location, newspaper articles, photos, and other memorabilia showcase local soldiers who served. The patriotic theme is evident throughout.

Another exhibit remembers American War Mothers and their efforts to support their sons. My grandmother had three sons serve in World War II and she was active in the organization. I enjoyed seeing a tribute to the mothers who made sacrifices. I wrote about her involvement in my blog post The Scraps of a Well-behaved Woman’s Life: Florence Creer Kelsey Part I.

Farm Implements

A large building connected to the back of the museum houses exhibits of the tools and farm implements used by farmers and ranchers throughout the years. These were displayed by theme, such as a blacksmith shop and a livery. Having grown up with modern farm machines, it was great fun to see the ingenuity of some of the historic machines, such as the corn sheller or the oat separator.

Household Goods and Clothing

Some of the most interesting items to view were the clothing. A display of wedding dresses showcased how tiny women were a hundred years ago! The kitchen and doctor’s office held many tools that were probably very handy in their day but difficult to understand today. One of the displays featured guessing the uses of nine kitchen tools. I only got two out of nine correct!

Books

Before I left the museum, I checked out the book section, which featured several volumes about the people and history of Cassia County. I discovered a book titled “Cassia County, Idaho: The Foundation Years” by Kathleen Hedberg. I was pleased to see that the book included documentation and a complete bibliography of source material.

My grandfather settled in the area about 1915, and I am excited to read the history of the area to add context to the stories and photos I have inherited.

My trip to the museum took me back in time and also provided valuable resources in researching my family’s roots in the area. If there is a historical museum in an area where you research, it is well worth the effort to explore.

Best of luck in all your genealogical endeavors!