January 11, 2005

Exhibit At Boise State Looks At Boise's Forgotten Ethnic Landmarks

Click on the image above to see a full size image of the "Ethnic Landmarks" postcard The Boise State University Student Union Art Gallery presents “Ethnic Landmarks,” Jan. 14-Feb. 3. A reception will be held from 5-6:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 21, in the gallery. The exhibit and reception are free. Gallery hours are 7 a.m. - 11 p.m. daily.   Hidden among the ruins of banks and parking garages in Boise are clues to the mysterious disappearance of people from distant places in a city once tightly compacted with immigrant groups. What happened to the Mexican teamsters who ran freight from Main to Broadway? Who were the Bohemians who arrived with the railroad and crowded the warehouse district? What of the Chinese apothecaries and German brewmeisters? The Blacks on forgotten Lee Street? The Basques in their boarding houses? The Greeks? The Shoshone-Bannocks? The Jews?   “Ethnic Landmarks” identifies 10 buildings and cultural sites worthy of preservation. Each is an ethnic story written in brick and brownstone; each a reminder of the surprisingly diverse and vibrant capital city that predated WWII.   This exhibit is sponsored by the Boise Office of the Mayor and the College of Social Sciences and Public Affairs at Boise State. For more information contact the Center for Idaho History and Politics at www.boisestate.edu/history/idaho/.   Jennele Estrada is the exhibit researcher, Adele Thomsen is the designer, Catherine Allen is curator and Todd Shallat is project director.   -30-   Contact: Catherine Allen, Student Activities, (208) 426-4995 Media Contact: Kathleen Craven, University Relations, (208) 426-3275, kcraven@boisestate.edu