Nez Perce County Historical Society & Museum

Nez Perce County Historical Society works to preserve the unique history of Nez Perce County and its surrounding area and to share it with residents and visitors to the museum. Experience many of the region's amazing stories of adventure, friendship and battle, courage and innovation, culture, hardship and the pioneering spirit at the Nez Perce County Historical Museum. Displays include topics such as the Nez Perce Indian War of 1877, native agriculture, the timber industry, fire department & law enforcement, development of Lewiston businesses, Normal Hill, entertainment and sports, education and health care, WWI, the Great Depression, the WWII home front, Lewiston Roundup and sports, and the Lewiston/Hollywood connection. The Museum is on the site of Lewiston's first hotel, the Luna House, built in 1862 by Hill Beachey. Ownership changed often and at one point the hotel sold for $500.00 and a pack of mules. During the 1880's, the hotel was used as the County court house. It was torn down in 1890. The property stood empty until 1937 when the current Art Deco building was constructed by the Works Progress Administration for use as government offices. The Historical Society, founded in 1960 just prior to Lewiston's centennial year (1961), moved into the building in the late 1970's. The Historical Society is first and foremost a museum organization and is the repository for historical items of the county. In addition to preserving artifacts, the Society maintains a research library of local history and works with the public to provide educational information. An extensive photograph collection consists of early day citizens as well as historic scenes.