Lost River Museum

SOUTH CUSTER COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY; background

In 1982 a number of historically minded Mackay residents came together for the purpose of forming a group to represent the historical interests of Mackay and the surrounding area. Their primary function would be to locate and collect any articles, printed material, artifacts or devices that may help illuminate the area's heritage and are illustrative of life and conditions of the past. This group would provide for the preservation of such material and for its accessibility to all who wish to examine or study it; would cooperate with appropriate officials in ensuring the preservation and accessibility of City, County, and institutional records and archives; and would work toward the preservation of significant historical buildings and sites. The group's first President was Curt. D. Fullmer and would become a chartered and incorporated organization known as the South Custer County Historical Society, Inc. It would go on to receive IRS recognition as a 501 (c) (3) charitable institution.

LOST RIVERS MUSEUM; background

One of the goals of the new Society was the establishment of a local museum. Due to a very close relationship with the Mackay Woman's Club whose goals also included the establishment of a museum, a parcel of property adjacent to their Club's Capitol Street meeting room was donated to the Historical Society to be used for the future home of the museum. In 1985 the Society acquired the old historical Methodist Church building, a landmark on Mackay's main thoroughfare since 1902 and after raising sufficient funds, it was moved to the Capitol Street site.
In 1987, after hundreds of hours of volunteer labor to make it adaptable, the Historical Society opened the doors of the Lost Rivers Museum to the public.

Since then many hundreds of visitors and residents alike have passed through its doors to view its many exhibits. Its many artifacts include items relating to the valley's farming and ranching industry, its mining heritage, the railroad, treasures and collectibles from Mackay's earliest settlers, early day clothing, tributes to Mackay's military servicemen and women, and the presses and print shop equipment of the Mackay Miner Newspaper. The museum boasts hundreds of historic photos depicting the early day mining industry, school life and more. The Lost Rivers Museum is open every weekend 10:00 to 4:00 from Memorial Day week-end through the last week-end in September. Of course, special tours are welcome and can be arranged at any time by calling current phone numbers posted outside the museum. No admission is charged but donations are invited.

The Society serves the greater Lost River Valley and answers numerous requests for historical research. The Society and museum are fortunate to have a large collection of historic photos and will make copies on request. It is also fortunate to have nearly 70 years of hardcopy newspaper editions from the local newspaper that operated from 1907-1975 and to have most newspaper editions on microfilm as well. The Society has made all this reference material free and available to the public with a microfilm reader-printer located in the local library.

Reference to our local history can also be found in the Mackay City Hall meeting rooms where the Society has covered the walls with historic photos in captioned groupings; a gallery put up in celebration of Mackay's centennial in 2001 and left in place at the request of the city council in tribute to the unique history of the town. The City of Mackay and South Custer County Historical Society worked together in ensuring a truly memorable 100th birthday for the community. The City offered a specially struck centennial medallion and organized a town birthday party dance. The Society edited and had published a special (8) page, centennial, commemorative newspaper edition covering Mackay's first 100 years and, working with the U.S. Postal Service, offered a special centennial post mark for the date along with a selection of free envelopes adorned with historic photos.

Today's South Custer County Historical Society continues with the same goals and mission of its founding group and is dedicated to; (1) the collection of written information, artifacts, photos, and other materials that can illuminate the heritage of the local area, (2) provide for their adequate storage and preservation, (3) the preservation of privately owned historic buildings and sites, and (4) to the research and dissemination of historical information. It welcomes new items for the Museum that meet certain criteria and welcomes all inquiries and requests for historical research within the scope of its research inventory. The Historical Society is an all-volunteer community group and Society members and volunteers from the community operate the museum. Neither the Society nor Museum has any employees or paid positions. Both entities rely heavily on donations from the community and visiting public for general operating funds and receive no direct financial support from any government agencies.

The Society is an active participant in community events and projects. It has played a role in Community theater events, history promotion in the school, and it sponsors and organizes the annual Christmas Bazaar, the highlight of Mackay's fall activity calendar. It takes part in Rodeo week-end and is a fixture at the Mackay's annual Free Barbeque.

The Society is always looking for new members, anyone interested in preserving the history of Mackay and the Lost River Valley, and volunteers to help with operation of the Museum. Monthly meetings are held the first Thursday of each month (currently at 2:30 P.M.) at the Woman's Club Rooms in the Mackay Library building. Everyone is invited …..This is a very friendly, informal group. For further information please call one of the Society's officers at 588-3133 or 588-3148 or write to the SCHS at P.O. Box 572, Mackay, ID. 83251