Photos by Q Concepts
When the rest of the nation thinks of Idaho, potatoes might be the only things that immediately come to mind. However, the state is not only home to picturesque vacation areas and some of the best freshwater fishing in the country, but is indeed a gun lovers paradise, both in legislation and recreation. Before RECOIL ventured out that way, we got word of some locations that most people beyond the state's border never hear about and don't get the publicity they deserve. We were privileged to go behind the scenes at one museum in particular that firearms enthusiasts are sure to devour.
This J. Curtis Earl Memorial Exhibit is an impressive assortment of weapons, some of which date back thousands of years, and is tucked away in what could have easily doubled as the prison seen in Shawshank Redemption. The Old Idaho Penitentiary in Boise, formerly known as the Idaho State Penitentiary, served as the state's prison from 1872 to 1973. While formidable in appearance, the state worked to preserve it as a historical landmark after its functionality as a working prison became obsolete.
Visitors can participate in guided and self-guided tours to learn about its lineage and walk through the corridors of one of the few remaining 19th century prisons that wasn't demolished in favor of apartments and strip malls. Astute readers may recognize it from an episode of Ghost Adventures or the movie Soda Springs. Most features of the prison, such as the cell houses, solitary confinement, and even the gallows where an actual execution took place were left essentially unaltered from when the prison was operational.
According to Amber Beierle, site manager of the Old Idaho Penitentiary, “J. Curtis Earl was a pilot, member of the Civil Air Patrol, had a degree in wildlife biology, and was a Class 3 arms dealer. He spent his later years splitting time between Idaho and his home in Arizona. He gifted an extensive collection of weapons to the Idaho State Historical Society to create his legacy and, according to him, honor military veterans.”
Prior to his death in 2000, J. Curtis Earl had spoken to individuals at the Idaho State Historical Society to find a suitable venue to house his massive collection in its entirety. It was decided that the J. Curtis Earl Memorial Exhibit would be built as an adjunct to the prison, which opened in 2002. Admission to the penitentiary also includes admission to the J. Curtis Earl Exhibit, so there's no extra cost to check it out.
You can enjoy a somewhat chronological order of the exhibits that aren't just limited to guns. Swords and fighting implements starting from the Bronze Age show the development of weaponry through the Middle Ages and how it evolved into the Industrial Revolution. Even walking through the Civil War displays, one can see how the weapons were reduced in size, but became more powerful as the conflict endured. Artifacts from the Spanish American War lead to a mock trench built to reflect the fighting conditions of WWI. There you can go right in and get a sense of what it looked like before you heard the dreaded whistle to go up and over.
The exhibits continue with WWII, Korean, and Vietnam-era weaponry. Both the European and Pacific fronts of WWII are acknowledged with artifacts from the respective theaters. The exhibit also honors Idaho's own servicemen and women with relics specific to state residents who served in various wars.
Temporary exhibits are also periodically put on display. The J. Curtis Earl collection is quite extensive, and features some 2,000 pieces, so periodic rotations of the collection help keep the experience fresh for repeat visitors. Flash photography and video are allowed. We're not sure a museum like this exists anywhere else in the United States. Where else will your kids get scared straight about what prison life is like and enjoy an amazing cross section of weaponry all in one? Check out this gem of firearms in the Gem State for yourself, and you'll see what we mean.
Old Idaho Penitentiary | |
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Address: | 2445 Old Penitentiary Road Boise, ID 83712 |
Hours: | Noon to 5 p.m. Summer hours (Memorial Day through Labor Day): 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. J. Curtis Earl Exhibit hours: Noon to 4:30 p.m. Summer hours: 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. |
Admission: | Adult: $6 Senior (60 and older): $4 Child (6-12 years old): $3 Children 5 and under: Free Closed most state holidays *Free during summer months for active-duty military and their families |
Telephone: | (208) 334-2844 |
URL: | https://history.idaho.gov/old-idaho-penitentiary |
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