Blaine County Historical Museum

10/11/2026

📸 **THEN & NOW: A Look Back at Hailey's Main Street**

Travel back to 1888, when Hailey's Main Street was an unpaved road lined with storefronts and horse-drawn wagons.

The historic photograph captures Main Street looking north, offering a glimpse of daily life in Hailey more than a century ago.

Today, 138 years later, paved roads, modern businesses, and automobiles have transformed the streetscape. Yet Main Street continues to serve as a central part of life in Hailey.

Take a moment to compare these two photographs.

**What stands out to you the most? Do you recognize any buildings or remember businesses that once stood along Main Street?**

📍 Main Street, Hailey, Idaho

10/08/2026

Tuesday, October 20 | 6:00 PM
Blaine County Historical Museum
218 N. Main St., Hailey
Election season is here, and political campaigning certainly isn’t anything new.
Long before social media, television commercials, and campaign texts, American candidates were finding creative ways to get their names, messages, and personalities in front of voters.
Join us at the Blaine County Historical for a timely trip through nearly two centuries of American campaign .
Kenneth Flanz, BCHM Political History Researcher, will share highlights from the Museum’s American Political Collection and explore how candidates have appealed to American through buttons, banners, ribbons, tokens, slogans, souvenirs, and more.
From early 1800s silk campaign ribbons and photographic badges to “I Like Ike” buttons and modern political messaging, we’ll explore what campaign memorabilia can tell us about the candidates who used it, and the voters they hoped to reach.
With Day just around the corner, it’s a fascinating chance to look back at how Americans have been persuaded, entertained, rallied, and asked for their vote across generations.
Admission is free. Bring a friend and join us!
Tuesday, October 20 at 6:00 PM
Blaine County Historical Museum
218 N. Main St., Hailey, Idaho
(208) 788-1801

10/06/2026

DID YOU KNOW? 📚

In 1886, students at Hailey Public School could earn something called “head marks.”

During classroom recitations, students could move toward the “head” of the class by correctly answering a question another student missed. Reaching the head earned them a mark.

In February 1886, James Pearson led Hailey’s Primary Department with 12 head marks.

Think you could have made it to the head of the class?

09/28/2026

Meet Lady Jeanne Cassell, a 2025 Heritage Court Honoree.

A resident of the Wood River Valley for fifty years, Jeanne has devoted decades to strengthening the community through service, leadership, education, the arts, and philanthropy.

From helping lead the campaign to build Blaine County’s first permanent shelter for survivors of domestic violence to her longtime involvement with the Sawtooth Botanical Garden, Sun Valley Arts Center, Wood River Women’s Foundation, and St. Thomas Church, Jeanne’s contributions have touched many parts of life in the valley.

In this interview, Jeanne reflects on her journey to Idaho, her life in the Wood River Valley, and the people, organizations, and experiences that have shaped her decades of community service.

Watch the full interview here: https://youtu.be/URVZXQWIMkc

The Heritage Court was established in 2004 to recognize outstanding women whose lives and contributions have helped preserve and shape the history and heritage of Blaine County and the Wood River Valley.

Presented by the Blaine County Historical Museum.

09/27/2026

A little look back at a BIG moment in our community's history!

Nearly 300 people and all five cities came together for Liberty on Parade, celebrating America250 through the history of our Wood River Valley!

❤️ We've put together a special look back at this unforgettable community celebration. Thank you for making history with us! 👇

America250: Liberty on Parade The Blaine County Historical Museum was proud to serve as the lead organizer of one of the Wood River Valley's largest community celebrations of 2026 – America250!

07/04/2026

Getting parade-ready, one turn of the engine at a time.

Our 1929 Ford Model A Roadster is coming to life for Hailey’s 4th of July 2026 parade. From the museum floor to Main Street, this piece of Wood River Valley history is ready to roll.

Watch for the Blaine County Historical Museum in the parade and help us celebrate the stories, people, and places that keep our valley’s past moving forward.

Happy 4th of July from BCHM!

07/03/2026

🇺🇸 For generations, Hailey has celebrated Independence Day by bringing the community together through patriotic parades, music, and hometown traditions.

These historic photographs include one parade from 1912 and others believed to date from the early 1920s, along with the official program from Hailey’s 1922 Fourth of July celebration. More than a century later, that same community spirit continues to fill our streets every Independence Day.

This year, the Blaine County Historical Museum is proud to be part of the Hailey Fourth of July Parade! Our wonderful volunteers, dressed in period clothing, will help bring local history to life as we celebrate the people and traditions that have shaped our valley.

🎆 Be sure to look for the Blaine County Historical Museum in the parade and come say hello!

Love local history? We’d love to have you join our volunteer team! Whether you’re interested in helping with events, exhibits, educational programs, or preserving our community’s stories, there’s a place for you.

📱 Scan the QR code in the final slide to learn more about volunteering and becoming part of our museum family.

From all of us at the Blaine County Historical Museum, Happy Independence Day! ❤️🤍💙

06/26/2026

Meet Lady Vicki Stewart Smith, Hailey’s 2026 Heritage Court Honoree.

Vicki Stewart Smith is a proud fourth-generation Idahoan whose roots in the Wood River Valley run deep. Born at the Sun Valley Lodge during the resort’s early years, she grew up in Ketchum surrounded by horses, fly fishing, skiing, and the close-knit spirit of a small mountain town.

Her family was part of Sun Valley’s early history. Her mother worked as secretary to Averell Harriman, president of the Union Pacific Railroad, and later became a successful real estate agent. Her father served as a hunting and fishing guide for notable figures including Ernest Hemingway and Gary Cooper, and later became Administration Manager of Sun Valley under the Janss Corporation.

Vicki began her career in education as a teacher’s aide in 1977 and went on to teach third grade for 27 years, dedicating her life to helping children learn and grow. She has lived in Hailey since 1972 in the beloved home she affectionately calls her “This Old House.” She and her husband, Paul Smith, recently celebrated their 53rd wedding anniversary.

Faith, family, and service remain at the center of Vicki’s life. She volunteers with local organizations, especially through the Catholic Church, where she is active in various ministries. She is also proud of earning her master’s degree at age 52.

We are honored to celebrate Vicki’s gratitude, service, lifelong dedication to education, and deep appreciation for the Wood River Valley as part of the 2026 Heritage Court.

Read more about Vicki and the 2026 Heritage Court here: https://bit.ly/HeritageCourt2026

Portrait credit: Lasso Photography

06/25/2026

Meet Lady Gail Peterson, one of the 2026 Heritage Court Honorees.

Gail Peterson is a lifelong resident of the Wood River Valley, born and raised in Hailey, Idaho. Growing up in a large family with nine siblings, Gail learned early the importance of faith, kindness, hard work, and community.

While attending Hailey High School, Gail worked as a cook at The Mint Café, where she met Alan “Buster” Peterson. The two married in August of 1958 and moved to Carey, where they have built a life centered around family, service, and the peaceful rhythm of small-town life.

Together, Gail and Buster raised five children and now share the joy of 13 grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. Family remains Gail’s greatest joy and proudest accomplishment.

Over the years, Gail worked as a bookkeeper for many local businesses and shared her creativity through quilting, canning, cooking, and homemaking. She also led a 4-H quilting club for six years, teaching young people how to select fabrics, follow patterns, and create quilts of their own. Her dedication to youth, family traditions, and community service also extended to many years of volunteering with the Blaine County Fair Open Class.

We are honored to celebrate Gail’s devotion, resilience, generosity, and enduring commitment to family and community as part of the 2026 Heritage Court.

Read more about Gail and the 2026 Heritage Court here: https://bit.ly/HeritageCourt2026

Portrait credit: Lasso Photography

06/24/2026

Meet Lady Amy Federko, one of the 2026 Heritage Court Honorees.

Amy Federko has spent a lifetime helping shape the spirit of the Wood River Valley through community involvement, horsemanship, mentorship, and a deep love of Sun Valley and the western way of life. Drawn to the valley from an early age, Amy made Sun Valley her permanent home as a teenager and quickly became part of the community she had loved since childhood.

Her roots in the region run deep, with family ties to ranching in Idaho and Utah and memories of the valley’s close-knit social spirit centered around skiing, horses, and community gatherings. Over the years, Amy has served in many roles, from working with Sun Valley Company and managing a flooring contracting business to helping manage local ranch properties alongside her husband, Mike Federko.

Perhaps her greatest impact has been through her dedication to horses, youth mentorship, and western heritage. As one of the enduring members of the historic Warm Springs Riding Club, and through more than sixteen years of involvement with 4-H and the Wood River High School Rodeo Team, Amy has helped countless young riders build confidence, responsibility, and a love for horsemanship.

We are honored to celebrate Amy’s honesty, grit, service, and dedication to preserving the enduring spirit of the Wood River Valley as part of the 2026 Heritage Court.

Read more about Amy and the 2026 Heritage Court here: https://bit.ly/HeritageCourt2026

Portrait credit: Lasso Photography