The Depot gets a new director

WALLACE — Since 2013, Shauna Hillman has been the face of the Northern Pacific Railroad Depot Museum as its director. As of last week though, the museum now has a new face.

The Northern Pacific Depot Foundation announced Monday that Jordan Thomas has been appointed to the position to replace the outgoing Hillman.

During Hillman's eight-year tenure with the Depot, she has helped maintain the building, constructed in 1901 as the focal point of downtown Wallace, and helped make the museum a popular tourist stop.

In addition to overseeing the exhibits and day-to-day operations, Hillman was instrumental in organizing popular Wallace events, such as the Under the Freeway Flea Market and, of course, the Museum's primary fundraiser — the Depot Day Car Show.

Her hard work has been officially recognized over the years too, as the Depot has been the beneficiary of multiple grant awards and even the recipient of a Preservation Idaho Heritage Stewardship Orchid Award in 2020. The Stewardship is awarded to organizations or individuals that have shown dedication to historic preservation through the long-term maintenance and care of historic, architecturally significant, or culturally important sites and structures.

Hillman explains that she is moving on from the Depot to work with a group that puts on a silver investment conference.

"Prior to coming to the Depot…I was part of an organization that created another silver investment conference. I really enjoyed doing that," she said. "I like working in the mining sector, even it's on the investment end of things, and it was fun to promote the Silver Valley because the Coeur d'Alene Mining District is the greatest on Earth."

When she got the job in 2013, she made it clear that she knew very little about trains. Eight years later though, she said with a smile that she knows just enough now "to get me into trouble."

"When you live in paradise and you work in the most beautiful building in town, the best description is that I got to play with trains," she said. "I met some fantastic people…and got to see the Depot go from a little visited place to the city icon that she should be."

As for the incoming director, Thomas knows she has some big shoes to fill, but is excited for the challenge.

"Shauna has done an amazing job with the Depot," she said.

Thomas has a Bachelor of Science degree in communications and a Masters of Modern History. She is a board member of the California Trail Heritage Alliance and the Oregon California Trails Association 2021 Convention Planning Board. She was raised in the mining community of Winnemucca, Nev., and relocated to the Silver Valley last summer after working at the California Trail Interpretive Center in Elko, Nev.

Since relocating, she has been working as a Marketing Consultant with the Shoshone News-Press and she has been volunteering at the NPR Depot Museum on weekends.

Thomas explained that she took on the role of director because of her love of history.

"I'm really looking forward to meeting everyone and learning more about the history of the area and the railroads!"

Hillman had nothing but nice things to say about her replacement.

"She has knowledge that I wish I had!" she said. "Jordan has professional museum knowledge and I believe that is the next step for the Depot."

The foundation thanked Shauna for her efforts and wish her all the best in her next endeavor

"I'm grateful the Board of Directors hired me and I jumped in with both feet," Hillman said.

The NPR Depot is open daily 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. until Oct. 15. For more information, follow the NPRDM on Facebook, visit its website at www.npdepot.org, or contact them at 208-752-0111.