~ MUSEUM PUBLICATIONS AND GIFTS ~

Sister Alfreda Elsensohn (1897-1989), founder of the museum, wrote four books pertaining to the state of Idaho. Her extensive research and personal contact with historic figures of the day allowed her to record colorful and historic accounts of early north central Idaho.
Her two volumes of Pioneer Days in Idaho County are treasures of firsthand source material. In Volume I (1947, 535 pp.) she attempted to discover through historic and geographical associations the origin of the place names in the county, and to pen a thorough history of each of its settlements through primary sources. Volume 2 (1951, 618 pp.) expanded her original research.
The two volumes of Pioneer Days are available for $45.00 each, plus postage. Autographed copies of Volume I are available for an additional price.

Sister Alfreda's two other books followed Chinese themes. Idaho Chinese Lore (1970) relates an historical account of Chinese activity in Idaho from 1865 to 1969. It is available for $10.00 plus postage. Idaho County’s Most Romantic Character: Polly Bemis (1979) is a short biography of a Chinese woman who was sold into slavery as a child in China, brought to the mining camp of Warren, Idaho and eventually settled on the Salmon River. The volume is available for $5.00 plus postage. A Flora of the Camas Prairie Region in the Vicinity of Cottonwood, Idaho (1939) is a 116 page mimeographed version of Sr. Alfreda’s master’s thesis. While it is designed to be used by high school biology students, the publication is a useful tool for all students of natural history. It is available for $5.00 plus postage.

MUSEUM NEWSLETTER
The museum publishes a quarterly newsletter called Rediscover. The intent of the newsletter is to keep members informed of museum happenings, new acquisitions, fundraisers, and other museum related activities of interest. Articles and stories relating to the history of north central Idaho are also included. To become a member of the museum and to receive a quarterly copy of Rediscover, please see our membership page.

OTHER PUBLICATIONS and GIFTS
The museum gift shop stocks a variety of books pertaining to local and regional history. Some of the titles include:

  • On the Way: the Journey of the Idaho Benedictine Sisters
        by Mary Lucille Nachtsheim, O.S.B. $18.95
  • Idaho For the Curious
        by Cort Conley $19.95
  • Snake River of Hells Canyon
        by Johnny Carrey, et al $14.95
  • River of No Return
        by Johnny Carrey and Cort Conley $13.95
  • Hear Me My Chiefs! Nez Perce Legend and History
        by L. V. McWhorter $19.95
  • The Nez Perce Indians and the Opening of the Northwest
        by Alvin Josephy, Jr. $18.00
  • Dreamers: On the Trail of the Nez Perce
        by Martin Stadius $24.95
  • Women and Indians on the Frontier, 1825-1915
        by Glenda Riley $17.95


The gift shop also sells a museum t-shirt and coffee mug. The graphics display an historical scene of the local area and the words The Historical Museum at St. Gertrude. The t- shirt sells for $12.00 and the mug for $6.00.
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