About The Crane Historical Society and Crane House Museum
On May 5, 1984, a group of 12 local citizens met to form a historical society. Incorporation and election of officers and trustees soon followed. Its mission is to preserve the history of the Harrison, Idaho, area. Howard and Geraldine Russell donated the first home built in Harrison as a museum. The home was built in1891 by the city's founder, Silas Crane. It remained in the Crane family until 1936. A Russian elm was planted in the front yard in 1891 by the second governor of Idaho, N.B. Wiley, and it still thrives today.
The small red 12-by16-foot building to the left in our photo is the Harrison jail, built in 1925 by then Constable Claude Knaggs. This two-cell jailhouse was built entirely of two-by-fours laminated together. Seeing little usage--everyone in Harrison was apparently law-abiding, the building was sold. John Procopio used it as a storage shed on his ranch. When William and Shirley Bunton became owners, they donated the building, and it was moved back into town.
The museum contains artifacts and memorabilia from Harrison's early settlers. Local families have donated displays. Our museum store carries books by several authors and oral histories preserved on CDs. The society also publishes calendars, booklets and pamphlets on various subjects relating to Harrison's history. Over the years, our dedicated and enthusiastic members have given their time and energy on museum projects to preserve our local history.
The Crane Historical Society is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation with a five member board. The museum has no paid personnel, but is instead maintained and operated by a team of local volunteers. Occasional preservation grants have been received; there is no ongoing outside funding. The museum operates solely by dues, sales from the museum store, and donations.
The small red 12-by16-foot building to the left in our photo is the Harrison jail, built in 1925 by then Constable Claude Knaggs. This two-cell jailhouse was built entirely of two-by-fours laminated together. Seeing little usage--everyone in Harrison was apparently law-abiding, the building was sold. John Procopio used it as a storage shed on his ranch. When William and Shirley Bunton became owners, they donated the building, and it was moved back into town.
The museum contains artifacts and memorabilia from Harrison's early settlers. Local families have donated displays. Our museum store carries books by several authors and oral histories preserved on CDs. The society also publishes calendars, booklets and pamphlets on various subjects relating to Harrison's history. Over the years, our dedicated and enthusiastic members have given their time and energy on museum projects to preserve our local history.
The Crane Historical Society is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation with a five member board. The museum has no paid personnel, but is instead maintained and operated by a team of local volunteers. Occasional preservation grants have been received; there is no ongoing outside funding. The museum operates solely by dues, sales from the museum store, and donations.