Preservation Idaho has five interns! Four are currently working on projects, and one will be interning with us in the Spring. These students are working hard for our community to discover and capture Boise’s stories and neighborhoods and we are proud to share their accomplishments. Get to know them and their work below!
Aimee Rollins
Born and raised in Pocatello, Idaho, I completed a Bachelor's in History with a minor in Cultural Anthropology at Boise State University before enrolling in the Master's of Applied Historical Research program last fall. My work focuses on the research and preservation of historic structures, and my love of old buildings has led me to pursue two internships that allow me to conduct original research on them. This summer, I was awarded an internship through the National Council for Preservation Education to work in Mount Rainier National Park, where I conducted original archival research and hiked into the backcountry to conduct condition assessments on the park's backcountry patrol cabins (see photograph). This semester, I am researching the development of the Kootenai neighborhood, which underwent development in the early part of the 20th century and again during the mid-century. My work will be featured on the Idaho Architecture Project website in an effort to increase public awareness of a significant aspect of Boise's history that has yet to be discovered; I'm excited about my project because I'm passionate about uncovering stories that haven't been told before. I enjoy spending my spare time in the outdoors, particularly hiking and fishing in Idaho's beautiful backcountry.
Leif Everson
My name is Leif Everson, and I’m from Williston North Dakota. I came to Boise to pursue a higher education, while competing for the Bronco Cross Country and Track teams. I chose Environmental Studies for my major, in response to the changes I witnessed in my hometown following a massive oil boom. Seeing the impacts of the boom first hand inspired me to learn more about the earth’s natural systems, and the impact which humans have on them. I became fascinated with hydrology in a geoscience class and decided to pursue a minor in the subject. This led me to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), where I am currently a student contractor for the Boise Water Science Center. Working for USGS has opened my eyes to the great work being done to help preserve America’s waterways. I hope to contribute to the fight for swimmable, fishable, and drinkable rivers all across the United States. Aside from school and competition, most of my free time goes to skiing, climbing, writing, hanging out with friends, and trying to get outside as much as possible.
Claire Vaage
I’m Claire Vaage and was born and raised in Boise. I am currently in my second year of studying Environmental Studies with minors in Political Science, Sustainability, and Climate Studies with honors. Currently, the researching I am pursuing for the incredible internship I have been a part of is concerning how the Boise River has shaped policy-making in the greater Boise area. Environmental conservation and governmental action go hand-in-hand, so I am seeking to understand how that has evolved the city of Boise and its officials since the utilization of the lifeline of Boise began. A fun fact about myself is I love taxonomy and memorizing the names of plants, specifically wildflowers and grasses of Idaho, and can most likely identify any plant you point to.
Cameron Tidwell
Hello! My name is Cameron Tidwell and I am a senior environmental studies major at Boise State. I grew up here in Boise and love everything about my city. In my free time, I enjoy skiing, hiking, fishing, and camping. For this internship project, I have chosen two major themes. One theme is to highlight the sense of exploration and bravery that is historically Idahoan. This can especially be seen with river expeditions. The other is the positive aspects that city parks, such as Julia Davis, have on the community. There are so many interesting and inspirational photos/documents in our local archives, and it has been a pleasure working with my team and Preservation Idaho to uncover them.
Savannah Willits
Hello! My name is Savannah, and I am majoring in urban studies and community development, with a minor in both economics and history. I was raised in Boise, Idaho and adore uncovering little known Boise urban history. For Preservation Idaho, I’ll be researching, editing, and expanding upon the Idaho Architecture Project during Spring 2020. Moving forward, I aspire to be an architectural historian, world traveler, and life-long learner.