In a statewide first, the University of Idaho’s campus has landed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The National Park Service approved the designation on Oct. 1. The U of I’s historic district is the state’s first campus to make the register.
The historic district spans 188 acres — and decades. It takes in academic buildings, residence halls, agricultural facilities, and campus landscapes and development from 1900 to 1976.
The designation has been in the works for years, with College of Art and Architecture, College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences, and U of I Library staffers and students researching district buildings.
“This nomination was authored by talented history students dedicated to preserving our beloved campus,” said Rebecca Scofield, professor of American history and chair of the Department of History. “We are so proud to have contributed to an experiential learning project that will now serve our entire community.”
“The University of Idaho Historic District holds statewide significance for its contributions to the development of higher education in Idaho and for its remarkable collection of historic architecture, which reflects the evolution of architectural styles and campus development throughout the state’s history,” said Alexis Matrone, outreach historian for the Idaho State Historic Preservation Office.
The State Historic Preservation Office reviewed the students’ research and helped set the district’s boundaries.
The new district designation is not the first at U of I. Several buildings — such as the Administration Building, Ridenbaugh Hall and Memorial Gym — had already been listed on the register, on an individual basis.
The designation does not preclude building renovations, the U of I said. However, federally funded or federally approved projects would require a preservation review.
