"The Friends of The Bishops' House" is a non-profit organization dedicated to the historic preservation of this grand old building. This beautiful building was once home to a succession of the Episcopal Bishops of Idaho. Each of the men who served as the head of Episcopal Diocese of Idaho lived in this home with their families while serving in the capacity as the Episcopal Bishop of Idaho. The original house was built in the late 1880's and was remodeled to its current stately, towered Queen Anne style Victorian home in 1899.
May 13, 2023, 1 - 3pm. $45 per person. Join us for a traditional tea-time fare. Sandwiches, savory treats, delicious sweets, and a variety of teas. Featuring a visual history of style from The Boise Belles.
We are pleased to once again be offering memberships for our community to join The Friends of The Bishops’ House—the non-profit organization that takes care of The Bishops’ House!
Your membership funds will go towards physically preserving and sustaining this wonderful historic Boise treasure, keeping it accessible to the community, and continuing our ability to share—and write—its story for generations to come.
Join us by choosing one of the following membership options today:
- Admission to our “First Look” Victorian Holiday Open Parlor exclusive donor-only event
- 10% off all dinners and events hosted by The Bishops’ House—up to $25 savings!
- 1 general admission to the Idaho Botanical Garden—$8 value
- 1 general admission Old Penitentiary—$6 value
- All Annual Friend benefits
- One FREE mid-week rental of up to 4 hours per calendar year
- All Annual AND Monthly Friend benefits
- 25% off any one regular rental per calendar year
Each year the giver of our top membership gift will be added to a plaque on display at The Bishops’ House!
* Friends of The Bishops' House is a 501C3 nonprofit. Donations may be tax deductible. Consult your tax advisor.
The Idaho Heritage Trust has been a longtime supporter of the preservation work of The Bishops’ House, and awarded us grants in 2002, 2011, 2014, 2019, and 2020, 2021, and 2022. Idaho Heritage Trust has provided wonderful assistance to The Bishops’ House, and Executive Director Katherine Kirk been exceptionally helpful in our efforts. https://www.idahoheritagetrust.org/
This most recent grant has allowed us, with generous contributions to our Idaho Gives campaign, and a significant donation from Juno Van Ocker, to remove carpet from our 2nd floor and refinish our original hardwood floors. These wood floors are original to the house and have survived more than 134 years of wear and tear, from family life to community service and celebrations! This completed work will help protect The Bishops’ House floors from damaging wear and tear that could have destroyed this valuable element of our historic landmark home. With the help of your donations, our hardwood floors received repairs and a gorgeous new finish by JP2 Construction, LLC. Professional guidance and technical assistance were provided by Stephen Chesnut, Maintenance and Operations supervisor at the Idaho State Historical Society, Brad Allred of Great Floors, and Frederick Walters, Idaho Heritage Trust board member. Idaho Heritage Trust aided in general grant-funded project assessment and direction.
Special thanks to our District 18 representatives- Senator Melissa Wintrow, Senator Janie Ward-Engelking,
Representative Ilana Rubel, and Representative Brooke Green, as well as all the other senators and representatives who generously support the preservation efforts of the Idaho Heritage Trust.
The Bishops’ House was saved by visionary community volunteers. They protected this architectural treasure from demolition by organizing as The Friends of The Bishops' House, moving the house to its current site near the Old Penitentiary, and restoring its’ historic beauty. We are pleased to join the Idaho Heritage Trust in their mission of “Preserving the historic fabric of Idaho for our State's Bicentennial in 2090 through a program of grants and technical assistance.”
The Bishops' House has been part of Boise history since it was built in 1889, and we are grateful for the support of our community, especially the numerous volunteers who have participated with us in preserving and sustaining this important piece of Idaho’s heritage!
The Bishops' House is a 3-story building built in 1889 for the Episcopal Diocese of Idaho, which was remodeled with an expansion in 1899. The house remained the residence of the Episcopal Bishop of Idaho for many years.
