Roughly 30,000 artifacts are cared for within the Herrett Center. Artifacts come from across the globe, such as from Peru, Mexico, North American regions of Alaska, Southern Idaho, and more!
These artifacts include basketry, stone tools, paintings, fossils; the list goes on! below you will find 9 artifacts where are not on display in the museum galleries!
Check back in June to see the next set of archives not on display!
The "Elytron," or Beetle Wing Case has been with the Herrett Center since 2005. This particular wing case is likely from a Darkling or Ground Beetle.
An Elytron is the hardened forewing of the insect. The wing case measures 6cm L and 1cm W.
The “Corn Uncle Kachina" painting is a 16”x20” acrylic painting, which has been framed. The painting was created by artist Richard Joshua in 1975.
Richard occasionally worked for Norman Herrett at the Museum when it was on Kimberly Road. The “Corn Uncle Kachina" was painted for the public library director at that time. Mr. Joshua frequently traded his artwork for food, lodging, and cash. This painting was received by the Herrett Center in 2019. It features a Kachina on a turquoise background, with the figure in black, grey, and red paints, with a symbol above their head.
The Kachina is a representation of “the Kachina spirits, or gods, that the Pueblo Indians believe influence their daily lives” (Rosenberg Library Museum). The Kachina is typically in the form of a doll, representing one of hundreds of deities. This painting is believed to be a representation of a Kachina doll who represents one of the many Kachina deities.
This artifact is the vertebrae of an unidentified specimen. The fossil is 3.5 cm H, and 2.5 cm L. It has been in the center’s collection since 1986.
This large, rather unique piece is an ostrich egg! The egg was given to the Herrett Center in 1978 by a student that Norman Herrett taught at the Twin Falls High School in 1943. The Ostrich Egg measures 12cm L, 12 cm W, and 12 cm H. a very round, hollowed egg in a tan color with an extremely tough outer shell. This egg originates from Africa.
This South American Gourd is quite unique. Depicting a daily scene, this artwork has been created as the gourd was burned and incised. This artifact has been with the Herrett Center since 1994.
The Bodkin is an Alaskan needle tool made of ivory, originating from Point Hope, Alaska.
The tool is often used in nalbinding, a traditional crafting technique typically required of heavy-duty sewing and basket weaving due to its size and strength. Traditionally, the process of nalbinding is one of knotless netting/knitting.
The needles are often made from a very sturdy material, in this case, ivory, to last years of use.
The Bodkin has been with the Herrett Center since 1969 and is 6 cm in length.
