ArchWalks 2026 | May Tour Series: From Bronze to Block: Downtown Boise Seen Through the Idaho State Seal

Join Jeffery for a walk that starts at the Idaho State
Capitol and reads downtown Boise through the lens of the state seal. The loop
stays within a few blocks, yet it crosses civic buildings, erased districts,
engineered land, shaped park edges, and work routes that still guide the city
today. Each stop shows how the seal’ s clean and balanced image hides conflict,
labor, extraction, and loss. You see how stone, bronze, survey grids, canals,
and lawns carry the same ideals set in the seal: order, claim, and control. The
walk ends where it began, with the bronze seal under your feet, now seen as
both monument to settler rule and memorial to the people and places missing
from its calm scene.

Jeffery Holley, preservation inc., is an architectural
historian who truly loves what he does, and it shows. With both undergraduate
and graduate degrees in architectural history, Jeff brings a deep knowledge of
the built environment along with hands-on experience in researching,
documenting, and evaluating historic places. Whether he’s in the field or
sharing stories on a tour, Jeff has a knack for bringing history to life in a
way that’s engaging, insightful, and fun.

What to Expect:

Tour Guides and Acknowledgments: Preservation Idaho volunteers, who are experts in their fields, have carefully curated and will lead the ArchWalks tours. Special thanks to Barbara Perry Bauer, Dan Everhart, Jeffery Holley, Emily Fritchman Mahaney, and Doug Stan for their efforts in orchestrating these tours, and to our dedicated volunteers Jessica Alvarado, Lynn Thayer, and Carolyn Wolfe, and Rosemary Zimbelman for their contributions.

Member Benefit Notifications: Members should have received an advanced notification email to purchase season ticket packages. If you did not receive this email, please contact us at kellie@preservationidaho.org.

Pricing:

• Season Ticket Packages: Season ticket packages for all five ArchWalks (each month, from May through September) are available for $50. The promo code for this discount is automatically applied through the provided links during checkout. Credit card processing fees and taxes apply.
• Tour Tickets: Individual tour tickets are available at $10.00 for Preservation Idaho members and $12.00 for non-members. Members looking to use the $2 discount can click LOGIN FOR MEMBER BENEFITS to access and purchase through their online membership account. Credit card processing fees and taxes apply.

Payment Methods: Credit card processing fees apply at checkout for all payments made by credit card. To avoid these fees, you may pay by check by mailing it to Preservation Idaho PO Box 1495, Boise, ID 83701. Please specify which walking tour package or individual tour tickets you are purchasing. Taxes apply at checkout for all tours.

Pre-Tour Communication: Email reminders, including meeting location, parking information, and other tour details will be sent at least 48 hours before each walking tour. Ensure your email address on file is up-to-date.

Tour Conditions: All tours are held outdoors and will proceed regardless of weather. Please dress appropriately.

Ticket Transferability: Tickets are transferable and can be shared with family and friends.

Need to switch tour dates?: Tour date changes are typically subject to availability. Our tours often sell out, but occasionally spots open up when guests cancel. If that happens, we're happy to accommodate date changes whenever possible – just reach out and we'll do our best to help!

Tour Restrictions: Please note that ArchWalks tours do not include entry into private homes.

Duration: Tours typically last around one hour and 15 minutes, though some may extend beyond that.

Phone Purchases: If you prefer to purchase season ticket packages or individual tickets over the phone, please call us at (208) 424-5111. Taxes apply at checkout for all tours.

Assistance Needed?: If you encounter any issues or have questions, please reach out to us at kellie@preservationidaho.org.