Idaho Congressman Mike Simpson, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, has secured funding for the Old Idaho State Penitentiary as part of the Fiscal Year 2010 Interior and Environment Appropriations Bill.  Simpson is the Ranking Republican member on the Interior and Environment Subcommittee, which oversees funding for the National Park Service.
The bill includes a $150,000 grant through the National Park Service’s Save America’s Treasures program for critical stabilization work at the Historic Old Idaho State Penitentiary, located outside of Boise.  First used to incarcerate prisoners in 1872, the Old Idaho Penitentiary is one of only four territorial prisons still standing in the United States.  The structure became the state prison in 1890 with Idaho’s statehood and continued to operate for nearly 100 years.

“The Old Idaho State Penitentiary is one of the West’s most significant prison sites and one of the most visited historic facilities in Idaho,” Simpson said.  “By stabilizing the site and repairing the historic structures, we can ensure that Idaho retains this key piece of its history.”

“The Idaho State Historical Society is charged with preserving the state’s cultural heritage,” noted the Society’s Executive Director Janet Gallimore.  “One of the ways we do that is through the preservation of more than 60 historic structures in Pierce, Franklin, Hansen, and Boise.  All of the Society’s sites are significant, but none more so than the Old Penitentiary, which truly is an American Treasure.  This appropriation, matched by state funds, will continue a federal-local partnership at the site that dates back to the time of construction as a territorial prison.  We greatly appreciate the support of Congressman Simpson in joining us in recognizing the importance of this site and the need for its preservation.”

The Save America’s Treasures program provides one-time grants to preserve the nation’s historic legacy.  Eligible sites must be on the National Register of Historic Places, and grants require a 50% match.

“Our nation’s history is worth preserving, and I am glad that we have the opportunity to ensure that the next generation of Americans can visit the places where significant moments in history took place,” said Simpson. 

The bill also includes funding for the following Idaho projects:

$500,000 to implement the Idaho Sage-Grouse Management Plan;
$1,200,000 for trail construction and maintenance in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area;
$400,000 to acquire property for a bike trail in the SNRA; and
$500,000 for a new wastewater treatment facility in the City of Buhl.
The Interior and Environment Appropriations bill is now headed to the full House of Representatives for consideration where approval is expected in the next few weeks.