The Cultural Sites program reflects Boise’s dedication to saving, reinventing and promoting historic properties unique to our city’s history. Valuable historic buildings are saved and re-purposed, creating meaningful new opportunities for the community to collaborate and engage in physical spaces that are literally irreplaceable.

FACILITIES

James Castle House

The City of Boise purchased the James Castle House in 2015. Serving as a testimony to the life and work of American artist, James Castle, and rooted in Castle’s sense of wonder and discovery, the house today is a center for contemporary and historical exhibits, tours, performances, talks, an Artist-in-Residence program and community partnerships. Both the historic buildings and the new wing invite visitors to explore the spaces unique only to James Castle. 

The James Castle House is managed and staffed by the Boise City Department of Arts & History Cultural Sites program.

Erma Hayman House

The City of Boise acquired the property located at 617 Ash Street, the former home of longstanding resident Erma Andre Madry Hayman (1907 - 2009) in 2018. Located at 617 Ash Street, the Erma Hayman House is a historic site and cultural center that preserves, contextualizes, and interprets the history of Boise’s River Street Neighborhood. Through collaborative partnerships, the Erma Hayman House directly supports, celebrates, and amplifies the stories of historically underrepresented communities, past and present, through inclusive, culturally mindful public programs. 

The Erma Hayman House is managed and staffed by the Boise City Department of Arts & History Cultural Sites program.

SAVING PLACES

Saving and restoring a community’s cultural assets plays an important role in economic development—local and national data shows high return on investment for the type of redevelopment and historic preservation Boise undertakes with its Cultural Sites program. This program reflects Boise’s dedication to saving, reinventing and promoting historic properties unique to Boise’s history. Valuable historic buildings are saved and re-purposed, creating meaningful new opportunities for the community to collaborate and engage in physical spaces that are literally irreplaceable.

The James Castle House and the future Erma Hayman House belong to a suite of historic properties owned by the City of Boise, illustrating the city’s dedication to adaptive re-use and historic preservation with a commitment to arts and culture. 

To view data related to the program, learn more about the Cultural Sites program or the James Castle House, please contact Kristen Hill at 208-608-7790.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The City of Boise acquired the Erma Hayman House, located at 617 Ash Street, in May 2018. Tied into the goals of the City of Boise’s Cultural Master Plan, the preservation and interpretation of the 617 Ash Street property are critical components for representing those whose stories are often omitted from standard historical research. The home’s architecture also provides insight into stylistic and construction trends of the era and how those intersect with different demographic groups. Read more about this project, here.

If you know of other heritage sites in the City of Boise with potential for strategic redevelopment and cultural programming, please contact Kristen Hill at 208-608-7790.

BE PART OF THE ACTION

Passionate about Boise culture and our shared heritage? Here’s how you can help:

SHARE THIS PROGRAM
Follow us on social media and bring your friends to Cultural Sites programs and events. 

VOLUNTEER
Interested in staffing future events or becoming a docent? Email: artsandhistory@cityofboise.org

MAKE A DONATION
Donations are accepted and help fund public programming, donated rental fees, and ongoing conservation and maintenance of the historic house and site. Please consider a donation today or contact the Boise Arts & History Foundation for ways to preserve, protect, and share Boise’s historical and cultural assets.