The speakers confirmed for the Idaho Botanical Garden 2010 Lecture Series will address various aspects of Idaho history. The lectures will enrich the lives of those attending the talks by helping attendees understand and appreciate the experiences of others, as well as offering insight into how issues we deal with today were addressed in the past and how past events influence the way in which we now live.

This lecture series is made possible by the support of the Idaho Humanities Council and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. Each presentation takes place on Tuesdays at 7 p.m. outdoors in the Meditation Garden. Free to Idaho Botanical Garden, Osher Lifelong Institute, and Idaho State Historical Society members. Regular Garden admission charged for non-members, $4/adult, $3/senior.

“Myth, Mythology and Reality: Hawks and Falcons”, June 1, has Linda DeEulis exploring myths, stories, and legends of falcons and hawks as viewed through different cultural orientations, languages, and stories. DeEulis sets the record straight by leading inquiry about the species, including how they fit into the web of the environment and how it affects human life. This presentation reveals the unique characteristics that separate our present cultural perspective from more traditional societies. DeEulis presents the live American Kestrel and accompanies it with skulls, feathers to allow a hands-on investigation, giving the audience a visceral understanding of the species. This lecture is appropriate for youth as well as adults.

Gary Eller, “Historically Based Songs of Idaho”, June 15, will present southwest Idaho songs and discuss their historical underpinnings. Songs of this type provide a valuable alternative to written text in preserving, interpreting and communicating fascinating pieces of Idaho's cultural legacy. Through these songs, he will share anecdotes about interesting Idaho individuals, places and events. Eller also will discuss the techniques used to collect, preserve and interpret songs based on Idaho’s heritage. The songs range from somber event ballads to hilarious parodies based on local life at the time the songs were written. Through the presentation and resulting discussion, it is hoped that additional songs of this type will be uncovered. The audience will learn about the opportunity of purchasing “The Idaho Songbag” available from the Idaho Humanities Council. This lecture is appropriate for youth as well as adults.

“Brewed in Idaho”, July 20, presented by Herman Ronnenberg describes how Idaho brewing began in Lewiston, moved into nearly every mining camp, and developed into thriving business in population centers such as Boise, Nampa, Lewiston, Moscow, Wallace, Pocatello and Coeur d'Alene. For the Garden’s audience he will emphasize how the industry influenced barley agriculture and hops growing until Prohibition caused its demise. He’ll explain how it returned in the 1930’s and began to thrive once again in the 1980’s, as well as, how early brewers were involved in politics and local investment as well as gunfights, bankruptcies and court cases.

Susan Stacy’s “Going Nuclear at Twin Springs, A Tale of the 1960’s (and other stories of Boise River’s Middle Fork)” July 27, addresses Twin Springs, a feature of the Boise River about five miles above Arrowrock Dam and Reservoir. It is more well-known as a proposed site for a new reservoir. Before its life as a “proposed” site, Twin Springs was the scene of placer mining on a corporate scale and then a mountain resort on a smaller scale. The 1960s brought home to Boise River the concept of “nuclear cratering,” a peaceful use of atomic energy, that is probably better left to history as just another proposal.

The presentation “Hanged, a History of Idaho’s Executions at the Idaho State Penitentiary” August 31, will feature the ten men executed at the old Idaho State Penitentiary. Through lecture and illustrations, the audience will learn about these desperate criminals who paid the ultimate price for their crimes. Using prison files, court records, trial transcripts, and historical newspapers, presenter Kathy Deinhardt Hill will recreate the lives and times of these men. She will trace their history, give details about their crimes, and discuss the court proceedings that led to their convictions and punishment. She will also discuss some of the key players in the trials, many of them who went on to become respected leaders of the state. The presentation will not take sides in the death penalty debate. Its sole purpose is to enlighten the public on Idaho’s early justice system and to give background into some of its most notorious criminals. There will be an optional guided tour of the Old Idaho Penitentiary following the presentation.