Historic Preservation Projects at Minidoka National Historic Site

The Minidoka Irrigator | Issue 26 | May/June 2026 Historic places matter. They are more than buildings and landscapes — they are keepers of memory, witnesses to history, and bridges between past and present. They help us understand who we are, where we have been, and the lessons we must carry forward. By walking where history happened, we connect with stories that inspire reflection, empathy, and action. Visitors to Minidoka National Historic Site often describe the profo

Brianna Bowhay’s Work Behind South Idaho's Biggest Park Projects by Friends of Minidoka Staff When visitors see a new facility under construction, an improved trail, upgraded utilities, or a restored historic structure, it is easy to assume the project simply appeared once funding became available. In reality, major park projects require years of planning, coordination, approvals, compliance reviews, contracting, and funding requests before construction can even begin. Behind

Today, Minidoka is entering an important phase of historic preservation. Thanks to funding from the Legacy Restoration Fund and years of preparation, rehabilitation of three historic structures – the root cellar, barrack, and mess hall – is underway at Minidoka National Historic Site. These structures are among the few remaining physical reminders of the unjust incarceration of more than 13,000 Japanese Americans at Minidoka during World War II. Ensuring the survival of these

by Jennifer Jones, National Park Service The National Park Service (NPS) is taking action to ensure that bats that frequent the Minidoka National Historic Site can still use the area while restoration of the historic Block 22 Barrack, Mess Hall, and Root Cellar buildings is underway and after the work is completed. A recent study documented the presence of all 12 Idaho bat species at the Minidoka National Historic Site. The study was conducted in 2025 by Anna Saunders, a Uta