Hummel Architects is proud to announce that we have made a donation of more than 100 original Capitol drawings and paintings to the Idaho State Archives, a division of the Idaho State Historical Society. The collection includes original 1911 hand-drawn Idaho State Capitol architectural/structural plans; project files for woodwork, plumbing, and electrical; and a series of drawings that depict the finished capitol, down to the molding, trim, door types, and finish work. The acquisition by the ISHS will not only ensure the collection’s legacy and longevity but will help tell a more comprehensive story of the capitol’s history—and allow for public research access.

Idaho Governor Little hosted members of our Leadership team Tuesday, February 28, 2023 to officially mark the transition of the collection to the Idaho State Archives. In remarks, Hummel Principal Scott Straubhar said, “I first want to acknowledge my colleagues from Hummel who were part of the decision to make this donation.  Most significant is Ed Daniels my business partner for over two-plus decades. Without his concurrence, we would not be here today.  We are a firm in transition, moving from a fourth to a fifth generation of owners.  Those architects, designers, and business leaders are Zach Lester, Mandy Boam, Brian Coleman, Brian Riopelle, Rob Beusan, and Gwen Andrews.  Carrie Applegate, our Marketing Director, has been doing the heavy lifting working with Janet and her team to make the move happen.  We believe in unity at Hummel, and we are all on board in making this gift. 

Tourtellotte and Hummel, and now just Hummel Architects is 127 years old, and our work can be found throughout Idaho and the Pacific Northwest.  Our clientele are public entities such as the Division of Public Works, our universities and community colleges, non-profits such as the St. Luke’s Health System, countless school districts and numerous private sector companies.  The firm employees 38 individuals at our offices in Boise and Idaho Falls. We firmly believe the meaningful buildings designed by our founders and their predecessors allows us to work with Idaho’s most sought after clients and projects.  The Capitol Building drawing archive is just one example of how we leverage history and reputation to sustain our business.

The drawings in the archive are incredibly unique.  I would say each is a piece of art drawn by meticulous architects and draftsmen.  In the early 1900’s the drawing media consisted of ink on linen.  The process had to be painstakingly tedious, and you could not make a mistake.  Today, a mistake is corrected with the undo icon on computer screen.  One click on the mouse, and it’s all forgotten.  Spilled ink on linen, is a complete do over.

The other wonderful aspect of the drawings is how imaginably talented the minds of Tourtellotte and Hummel must have been.  These are two-dimensional drawing images portraying what is ultimately 3-dimensional built space; this wonderous people’s house where we stand today.   Both men were masters of their trade, and these drawings bear out that truism.”

“We are incredibly grateful to Hummel Architects for trusting the Idaho State Historical Society to be the official repository of this extraordinary legacy collection. This collection joins signature collections of the state including the Idaho State Constitution, hand-colored maps prepared by first surveyor general, Lafayette Cartee, the Snake River Water Basin Adjudication Water Rights records, and photo collections that chronicle change in our state over time,” notes ISHS Executive Director and State Historic Preservation Officer Janet Gallimore. “This collection builds on the richness of the Idaho State Archives collection and is the cornerstone of our architectural collection.” The Idaho State Historical Society is the state’s official repository for historical documents, artifacts, and irreplaceable collections.  

J.E. Tourtellotte & Company—later known as Tourtellotte & Hummel—and today known as Hummel Architects has shaped Idaho’s built environment since 1896. Architects, historians, and long-time Idahoans may recall the firm for the breadth of its contributions to Idaho architecture, but no Tourtellotte & Hummel project has been more significant for the Gem State than the Idaho State Capitol. On March 3, 1905, the Idaho legislature approved House Bill No. 138, creating the Idaho Capitol Building Commission, which consisted of the Governor, the Secretary of State, the State Treasurer, and two “competent citizens.”

The Commission wasted no time issuing a “Notice to Architects” inviting designs for the new capitol building. The Commission considered the materials, structure, finish, inside and outside, and consideration of “all reasonable economy” and appreciation of merit in selecting the winning bid. J.E. Tourtellotte & Company’s bid was one of fifteen submitted, and after careful review and consideration, the Commission offered the project to Tourtellotte on June 27, 1905. J.E. Tourtellotte & Company accepted the offer of $10,000 for elevation and floor plans for the complete building and “all necessary sketches, working drawings, scale drawings, full details, and specifications for the central portion of the building” on July 11, 1905.

The Idaho State Historical Society is an extraordinary system of cultural and historic resources comprised of the Idaho State Museum, State Archives, State Historic Preservation Office, and Old Idaho Penitentiary and Historic Sites Program. Our vision is to make history essential and accessible through dynamic and gratifying services that inspire, enrich, and engage all Idahoans. Learn more at www.history.idaho.gov.

This collection will be to researchers at the Idaho State Archives in Spring 2023.