John Lorang and Mary Gesellchen Lorang created a successful farm, but they were also Historians, Writers and Photographers.
Since 2004 and even in 1986, U of Idaho, WSU and Lewis & Clark College students have helped us with our projects. In the 2007 photo, U of Idaho History student, Kellyn Younggren records the first 400 books found on site, dating back to 1850. We have found many more since.
They have preserved First Hand documentation, Books, Journals and Letters from 1877 to the present day. Thousands of artifacts, these Letters, Journals, Photographs and books are in the Archive Library collection and are available for reading on this website or at the Farm.
The White Spring Ranch Museum is supported by grants and donations and by students and faculty from Washington State University, Lewis & Clark College, the University of Idaho and Genesee School students.
White Spring Ranch/Archive Library has been awarded the 2019 Sister Alfreda Award from Idaho State Historical Society and Idaho Humanities Council. Idaho Heritage Trust and other grants provide yearly assistance with preservation, restoration and events.
“This program is supported in part by a grant from the Idaho Humanities Council, a State-based partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities.Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this (publication, website, exhibit, etc.) do not necessarily represent those of the Idaho Humanities Council or the National Endowment for the Humanities.”
With a minimal budget of grants and donations, we have become a gathering site for students, artists and volunteers with all kinds of skills to restore the: 1878 Log cabin, c.1880’s Curio cabin, c.1873-1904 Historical Farmhouse and 170 years of letters, journals, books and photographs into an onsite and online library.
White Spring Ranch is open for visitors from 1:00 pm to sunset on Sundays, Tuesdays and by appointment. 208.416.1006. Come to visit. Learn of the Farming history of Idaho and read first hand documents detailing American Life for the last 160 years.
