Idaho Celebrates 50 Years of Peace Corps Service
In 2011, the Peace Corps commemorated 50 years of promoting peace and friendship around the world. Learn more about the 50th Anniversary of Peace Corps here: Peace Corps 50th
Idaho Returned Peace Corps Volunteers celebrated by hosting an exhibit at the Idaho State Historical Museum. The exhibition illustrated the history of the Peace Corps from 1961 to 2011. It explored the impact returned volunteers have made on their community and connections between global and local volunteer projects, as well as diversity in Idaho. The exhibit also featured Peace Corps documentary videos, recruitment materials, and activities for children.
The exhibit featured the service of 16 returned volunteers. Their experiences were told through personal narratives, photos, and traditional and artistic artifacts brought back from their countries of service.
Events
March 1: Grand Opening with guest speakers (including the mayor of Boise), entertainment and refreshments. Attended by 252 people.
March 2: Peace Corps Recruiting event at Boise Public Library at Collister. Attended by 30 people.
March 3: First Thursday Grand Opening with an Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony. Attended by 280 people.
March 8: Brown Bag Panel Discussion: Bringing the world home to Idaho: Returned Peace Corps Volunteers tell their best stories. Attended by 50 people.
March 12: Gardening for kids with Global Gardens and Returned Peace Corps Volunteers. Attended by 100 people.
March 26: Ukrainian Easter Egg Dying: Make a Pysanky-Ukrainian Easter Egg with Returned Peace Corps Volunteers. Attended by 200 people.
April 7: First Thursday entertainment: African-style xylophone ensemble. Attended by 200 people.
April 23: International Drumming. Attended by 80 people.
Attendee Comments
Many who attended the Idaho Celebrates 50 Years of Peace Corps Service exhibit at the Idaho Historical Museum were gracious enough to leave us their throughts about the exhibit and events. View Comments
Thank You
Idaho Returned Peace Corps Volunteers would like to thank the follow for making this event successful:
- More than 200 volunteers who donated money and time to help with the exhibits and events.
- 30 Boise businesses and organizations for donating resources.
- Idaho State Historical Museum staff for assisting with the design of invitations, website publicity,
printing of captions to go with the artwork and cultural objects, and hanging of the panels.
- Catapult3 for graphic design and production of the 14 volunteer panels.
- Boise State University staff for assisting with exhibit events.
- Professor Michael Bixby (IRPCV & BSU College of Business) for serving as the MC on opening night.