Abraham Lincoln’s influence creating Idaho to be celebrated at Idaho Day

Published at 10:10 am, February 28, 2025

David Pace, EastIdahoNews.com

Abraham Lincoln and Idaho | Courtesy photos SANtosito, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons — Abraham Lincoln photograph from 1863, the same year he signed the territory of Idaho into being on Mar. 4, 1863. | Courtesy map, SANtosito, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

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IDAHO FALLS — President Abraham Lincoln’s influential legacy in the creation of Idaho will be celebrated on March 5 at the Museum of Idaho.

The free event starts at 7 p.m. and commemorates the day Lincoln signed the Idaho Territorial Act, forming Idaho as a U.S. territory in 1863.

“People might not know Abraham Lincoln’s role in Idaho becoming a state,” Museum of Idaho Marketing Director Camille Thomas said. “(It’s) an interesting lens to view our state through.”

Former Idaho Lt. Gov. and Attorney General David LeRoy, a “Lincoln expert,” will present on “The Idea of Idaho: How Lincoln Won the Civil War” — tying the president with our state’s genesis.

In addition to Lincoln’s role creating the Idaho territory, Museum of Idaho Marketing Director Camille Thomas shared information from the Idaho State Historical Society that:

1. “He appointed more than a dozen officers who ended up establishing the foundation for the Idaho government.
2. “Lincoln’s representative negotiated treaties with Idaho tribes that still determine the relationship between the federal government and Idaho native peoples.
3. “Lincoln also championed legislative efforts that transformed Idaho. More than 60,000 Idahoans filed homestead claims that were tied directly to his Homestead Act.
4. “He signed appointments of the first territorial Chief Justice and the second governor.”

“He’s pretty entwined with our history,” Thomas said.

A Civil War 50-cent note issued on March 3, 1863, the day Congress passed the Idaho Territorial Act. The act was signed by President Lincoln the next day. | Courtesy Linden F. Bateman family and the Museum of Idaho — “A Civil War 50-cent note issued on March 3, 1863, the day Congress passed the Idaho Territorial Act. The act was signed by President Lincoln the next day,” states a Museum of Idaho display. | Courtesy Linden F. Bateman family and the Museum of Idaho

The museum also contains historical artifacts directly tied to Idaho’s founding – including a “Civil War 50-cent note issued on March 3, 1863 — the day Congress passed the Idaho Territorial Act, which was signed by President Lincoln the next day, creating the Idaho Territory,” Thomas said.

A choir from a local school will perform live at the event. Former Idaho State Representative Linden Bateman and Museum of Idaho Archival Assistant David Nipper will present other significant artifacts, a museum release stated.

Lincoln’s impact on our state is gaining greater recognition.

In 2014, Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter signed a proclamation declaring March 4th “Idaho Day.” The document and pen he used is on display at the museum.

Gov. C.L. "Butch" Otter's pen and declaration designating March 4 as "Idaho Day." | Courtesy Museum of Idaho — Gov. C.L. “Butch” Otter’s pen and declaration designating March 4 as “Idaho Day.” | Courtesy Museum of Idaho

“Talking about the creation of the state really does complement our Idaho exhibit,” Thomas said. “People can learn more about how the state was founded, its native peoples and early pioneers in Idaho history in our ‘Way Out West’ exhibit.”

Everyone is invited to participate in the celebration.

“It basically just complements the museum’s whole mission of inspiring wonder and discovery about Idaho and our world,” Thomas said.

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