Program Director Gaby Thomason here to celebrate our incredible Board Members at Preservation Idaho with some Q&As for 2 weeks of Idaho Gives!
Our team works tirelessly to save and protect Idaho’s historic and cultural heritage by preserving historic buildings throughout the state, advocating at the state and local levels, creating programs to highlight Idaho history, and opening lines of communications in every community. We at Preservation Idaho are proud to have each of them on our team and deeply appreciate the volunteer hours and energy they put in to protect and honor our state’s history.
You can support Preservation Idaho’s great education programs by donating to Idaho Gives.
Today we are spotlighting Rural development expert and Board Member Julia Oxarango-Ingram!
Julia has been an active advocate for Idaho’s rural communities for years and is a strong voice for historic properties in need of protection and restoration. Her Basque background and work experience have helped to connect rural Idaho communities to preservation resources that promote projects that might not otherwise come to fruition.
Preservation Idaho (PI): What is your background in history and preservation?
Julia Oxarango-Ingram (JOI): I have worked mainly in rural community economic development over the past 25+ years. Years ago I began looking for resources to assist with restoration/repurposing of historic downtown buildings. I believe that historic preservation should be central to successful downtown revitalization efforts.
PI: What inspired you to join Preservation Idaho?
JOI: I have long admired Preservation Idaho’s efforts to highlight beautiful historic properties through the Orchids and Onions awards and how they are utilized to honor preservation efforts & highlight endangered properties.
Historic Rogerson Schoolhouse open for a Christmas party, 2019
PI: What is your favorite preservation project you’ve been part of?
JOI: I love them all! I have enjoyed working on the Historic Rogerson Schoolhouse, the Hollister Bank/Hotel, the Gooding Schubert Theater and the Lincoln County Courthouse in Shoshone.
PI: What do you wish people knew about historic preservation?
JOI: It is often more affordable and sustainable to restore and update a historic building than to build new…and we almost always end up with a much more beautiful and timeless building in that process.
PI: How else are you involved in your local community?
JOI: I represent local communities in South Central Idaho on various grant review groups and advisory boards such as University of Idaho’s Center for Resilient Communities, Idaho Community Foundation, and Idaho Commission on the Arts.
PI: What’s a fun fact about you?
JOI: I taught Basque dancing many moons ago.
Keep an eye out for more Upcoming Preservation Idaho Board Member Spotlights!
Preservation Idaho has an all-volunteer working board and your support this Idaho Gives will be used to build and promote our two most important educational programs, The Preservation Idaho Time Machine and the Idaho Architecture Project. Visit our page at Idaho Gives to learn more and donate today!