The Bellevue Historical Museum has officially opened for the summer season, on Memorial Day weekend, and will continue to be open each weekend through Labor Day weekend.
The Bellevue Historical Society is seeking volunteers to assist with greeting visitors, answering questions, and otherwise sharing Bellevue’s, and its surrounding area’s unique history within the Wood River Valley. Volunteering is a great way to give back to the community, to keep its history alive and to help the current generation connect the lives and lifestyles of those pioneers and founders of the community. Volunteers are able to pick the days they would like to donate two or more hours, as their schedules permit. Museum hours are 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., Saturdays and Sundays. Help is greatly needed.
The museum is located in the old City Hall building at 226 N. Main St. (Hwy. 75), in downtown Bellevue.
The museum’s front and larger portion of the building was erected in 1890. It served as a fire hall. The bell in the tower would be rung to announce a fire, a common occurrence in an era of candles, woodburning stoves, tired miners, and barroom brawlers. The original fire equipment is on display on the property. The smaller back portion of the building was later added as city all. Records of the first town hall meetings and the original safe are still on the premises.
The museum itself contains… historical photos, mining displays, school memorabilia, antique clothing, and much more.
The museum extends to the outside property. Bellevue’s original jail behind the museum was built in 1881 and still stands on the lot. It is open to the public as well as one of the original log homes.
Admission to the museum is free; donations are welcome.
For more information or to volunteer, call any of the following numbers (208) 788-4061, (208) 720-3770 or (208) 727-7455.