BOISE, Idaho — It's only fitting that the former St. Paul Baptist Church, the first Black church built in the Gem State, is now home to the Idaho Black History Museum. This very well-known building in the heart of Julia Davis Park tells the story of African Americans in Idaho.
"It's part of the history of Idaho, it's just so fitting that we are in this park of all places, to be not on the board somewhere on a hill somewhere, anything like that,” Cherie Buckner-Webb, one of the founding board members of the Idaho Black History Museum said.
Through those doors you'll find stories like Elvina Moulton’s, who walked to Boise from Missouri in the 1860s.
"Someone in the community wrote to my son, and said, we have a table that belonged to her,” Buckner-Webb said. “That's now present here."
Inspiring stories of leaders, athletes and scholars that made history.
"Frederick Douglass, an abolitionist, a man that came with no education, got himself educated, got himself elected,” Buckner-Webb said. “I mean, the man is amazing."
But you'll also find the not so pretty parts of history.
"There are a lot of people that don't want to see these things, because it makes them think of bad things, but I don't ever want to repeat it," Buckner-Webb said. "So I have to honor those that made it through and let us know what it was like and show what was good, bad and ugly." Not only that, but even showing the Ku Klux Klan’s presence in the Idaho.
"I remember a cross was burned in my mother's yard, and things like that," Buckner-Webb said.
Buckner-Webb says it's important to know the full picture to reflect on the past and not repeat it.
"That's the wholeness of who we are, we have to understand the humanity of who we are, no matter what your ethnic background, what your age and stage in life, that builds community, when we break down those barriers and have real and earnest conversations," Buckner-Webb said.
Thought provoking conversations sparked by the stories and people honored in this historic building.
"Blacks had been in Idaho for a long time and for a long time, we were separate and apart. Now we're telling you we have been part of community, we contribute to community, as well as the community does to us, we need to know those points of intersection,” Buckner-Webb said. “So, we can grow, not just us as a museum, I'm talking about our community, a welcoming community, a community that really has room for all."
That collaborative effort is what has established the Black history museum as a true gem in Boise.
"I want our community never to forget, the Black History Museum brings the history of Black people in Idaho and around the world, but it was built, constructed and conceived by our community,” Buckner-Webb said. “It wasn't all Black folks. It was wonderful members of our community that have contributed their time, talent, memorabilia, contacts with people in the community. It's the house that the community built."
When Buckner-Webb looks around the room and sees the faces of people she looks up to, it brings tears to her eyes.
When looking at a painting of Martin Luther King Jr., Buckner-Webb said, "I always see in this eye, a tear about to come from his side and what I think what he went through what he accomplished, what he means for my life, and my children, I'm just overwhelmed,” Buckner-Webb said. “I'm full of gratitude. Full of gratitude."
Many of the things displayed in the museum are donations from the community. The museum is open Tuesday through Thursday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
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