Save the Sprag Pole Museum

The Sprag Pole Museum has fallen on hard times and needs the community’s support.

The local landmark is truly a hidden gem, tucked away in the former mining boom town of Murray. The museum has been a popular field trip for every single Silver Valley student and continues to be a magnet for the nostalgic.

The Almquist Family has run the museum since its inception, but since 2010, the Sprag Pole Restaurant and Museum has fell on hard times.

Grant money and trusts for the museum have run out, lessors have not been paying their rent and monies earmarked for the museum from the lease payments have not existed.

To make matters worse, because of the harsh winter this year two of the roofs in the museum have collapsed.

Peggy Wells, a member of the family that operates the museum, discussed its history as well as the frustration they have encountered during these trying times.

“The museum was started by one of the iconic members of Murray, Idaho: Walt Almquist,” Wells said. “Walt ran the Sprag Pole restaurant with his wife, Bess, for close to 40 years before opening the doors to the museum. He and his brother Harry constructed the cases while members of the community helped to set up the displays.

“What you will see when you come to Murray is a culmination of the blood, sweat and tears of each of the museum’s original members.”

During the past decades the museum has gone from its highest level of business to its lowest and with the low visitation has also come even lower donations, both financially and in exhibit pieces.

“During the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s life at the Sprag Pole was at its peak,” Wells said. “Family members ran the Sprag Pole and kept the locals and other visitors coming back with their great food and amazing wit. Donations to the Sprag Pole Museum were at an all-time high and guests would donate some of their own personal items to add to the cases in the museum.”

As Wells mentioned, family members have kept the operations of the museum running.

The restaurant is currently open on Saturdays to keep the doors to the museum open with hopes of running on a full-time schedule during the summer.

“Once you visit the museum, you will understand why it is difficult for us as family to close the doors and turn and walk away,” Wells said. “Please consider making a small donation to our non-profit organization so we can get the Sprag Pole back on its feet. Any help will be greatly appreciated.”

The Sprag Pole boasts one of the most eclectic collections of days gone by.

Here you will find historical photographs, precious metals and gemstones, antique furniture, and more than 100 collections of various items — not to mention the world’s longest hand carved wooden chain.

Many rooms tell stories of how people lived in the Silver Valley during generations past.

Some of the special exhibits include the logging and mining exhibits, the one-room schoolhouse, various old time kitchen displays, the medical office, and a display that tells the story of Molly B Damn.

Visitors can tour the 10,000 square-foot museum free of charge.

In 1982 the museum was turned over to a non-profit corporation and since then the museum has been completely funded by grants and donations from the public.

To see how you can help or to donate, call and leave a message at the Sprag Pole at 208-682-2009.