Over the past 128 years, Hummel Architects has forged a strong reputation in designing a variety of facilities, including educational, university, government, municipal, healthcare, and corporate buildings. Hummel Architects, a leading architecture firm committed to preserving heritage and promoting community engagement, announces the donation of its comprehensive archives to the Idaho State Archives.

Included in the collection are architectural plans, drawings, and illustrated renderings of projects throughout the firm’s 128-year history. Items like the original plans for the Egyptian Theatre, St. John’s Cathedral, and the administration buildings of Boise State University and the University of Idaho. The collection includes plans from more than 3,400 projects and were drawn on industry-standard materials of the time like tracing linen, mylar, and drafting paper. One of the oldest plans in the collection is for Lincoln School from 1896, for a school formerly located on the corner of 4th & Idaho Streets in Boise, Idaho. 

“We are thrilled to contribute to the Idaho State Archives and support their mission of preserving and sharing Idaho’s rich cultural heritage,” said Mandy Boam, Principal at Hummel Architects. “As architects deeply rooted in this community, we recognize the importance of preserving our past to inform our future, and we are honored to hand over the safeguarding these important historical documents to the Idaho State Archives.”

“By donating our firm’s extensive collection of architectural plans, drawings, and original paintings to the Idaho State Archives, we aim to ensure that future preservationists and researchers have access to these invaluable documents, fostering a deeper understanding of our architectural heritage and inspiring new generations of designers.” Said Ed Daniels, Partner at Hummel Architects.

The Idaho State Archives (ISA) and Research Center offer public access to records holding fiscal, administrative, legal, vital, and long-term research significance for both the citizens and government of Idaho. ISA preserves a large and unique collection of materials that relate to the history of Idaho and the Pacific Northwest, including photographs, books, maps, manuscripts, oral histories, and government records.  By contributing their extensive collection to the ISA, Hummel commemorates the ongoing documentation and celebration of the state’s architectural heritage.

“The Idaho State Historical Society is honored that Hummel Architects chose our Idaho State Archives as the permanent repository for their entire collection of drawings, plans, and associated business records.” Said Janet Gallimore, Executive Director and State Historic Preservation Officer for the Idaho State Historical Society. “This donation includes original drawings that created our state’s most iconic buildings, including the Idaho State Capitol, the Egyptian Theater, the Hoff Building and commercial buildings, residences, schools, churches, and courthouses across the state. This gift to the citizens of Idaho makes the Idaho State Archives the premiere resource for researching Idaho’s architectural history. We are deeply humbled by Hummel Architects’ trust in ISHS to steward and provide public access to this extraordinary collection.”

Hummel Architects encourages other businesses and community members to join them in supporting the Idaho State Archives and preserving Idaho’s rich cultural heritage for future generations.

The Idaho State Archives will showcase chosen items from the Hummel collection in the exhibit “Building a Legacy: An Exhibition of Hummel Architectural Design” from April 25 to September 2024. The exhibit will take place at the Idaho State Archives located at 2205 Old Penitentiary Road, Boise, Idaho, 83712.

To learn more about the Idaho State Archives visit history.idaho.gov/archives.