Long Valley Preservation Society Inc

In 1910 Roseberry was a bustling settlement with a multicultural population of 200 citizens, a hotel, two blacksmith shops, a restaurant, a wood mill, a marching band, and the largest creamery in Long Valley.

In 1914 the first railroad line carved through the valley a couple of miles to the west of Roseberry, and things changed rapidly.  Businesses and buildings were torn down or moved away to abut the rails at the new location, and bit by bit Roseberry shrank until it became a ghost town of two aging buildings and a small remnant population, resting at a dusty crossroads surrounded by pasture.

In 1973, a small group of dedicated volunteers laboriously returned the historic Methodist-Episcopal Church building to its original home at Roseberry.  The church joined the only two remaining buildings of the once thriving town.

Little by little the group of volunteers, known as the Long Valley Preservation Society, obtained other buildings and brought them to Historic Roseberry to be restored and preserved.  Some, like the church, were original to Roseberry, but others of architectural or historic significance came from all around the valley. 

In 1990 Roseberry was designated by county commissioners as the official Valley County Museum, to be governed by the Long Valley Preservation Society.  The site represents over 40 years of volunteer labor and community support. 

 The Methodist-Episcopal church is now next to the main Museum Building which contains exhibits, artifacts, and a lovely gift shop.  The busy crossroads harbors 29 other structures that have been moved to the site to tell the story of the settlement of Long Valley, Idaho. Six of the historic buildings make up the Finnish Heritage Center, a look at a typical Finnish homestead. Other buildings include a one room schoolhouse, a carriage house, and the wonderful Barn At Roseberry, a restored 1913 barn used as a performance and event center, and as home of lovely rustic weddings.  The reconstructed Bandshell hosts weekly free concerts in the Summer, and the Nelle Tobias Research Center contains historic records, photographs, and other research aids for community use.  Donated and acquired artifacts are accessioned there every Tuesday morning from May through September.

Visitors are encouraged to walk around the old town site, view the buildings, "step back in time", and join the Society.  The museum is open May through September, and by appointment, but no matter the time of year, there is plenty to see and experience at Historic Roseberry.

With help from Nasi Sisters Park Fund, we have purchased the McDougal General Store.  We will be replacing the foundation and creating the Nasi Commons in the center lawn of Roseberry, with games and exhibits centering around the life of a child in Roseberry 100 years ago.

The store is deteriorating badly, and needs a new foundation and coat of paint to allow it to host visitors for another 100 years.  We will fill the store with childhood games & family activities, as well as old time general store displays.

We will also move the Historic Johnson Cabin to our site this Spring, and could use your help in a work party!

Remember, as always, our public events are great family fun.

 visit us on line at www.historicroseberry.com

May 28th,
Volunteer Open House

June 11, & 12
5th Annual Cowboy Trade Days

July 2 & 3
Arts and Crafts Fair

July 14, 15 & 16
Summer Music Festival

August 21st
Pioneer Picnic

September 3rd
Ice Cream Social and Quilt Show

Free Wednesday Night Concert Series and History Walks!                   

 

REMEMBER if you are getting married or having a retirement party - -  Historic Roseberry is the premiere Long Valley rustic venue.

 

Come be a volunteer at the Valley County Museum.