Boundary County Historical Museum receives donations

Leonard and Margie Brant have donated 105 rare and out of print historical books, dozens of Kootenai Indian artifacts, and old tribal photos, to the Boundary County Historical Society and Museum.

These books form much of the bibliography for Leonard’s ”Kootenai Indians of the Columbia Plateau” publication. Most of the reference volumes were purchased by the Brants from Clarks Rare Books, of Spokane, over a 20-year period of time. Additionally, a dozen or more are from the local Paul Flinn estate.

The artifacts were purchased in the 1950s and 60s from elder members of the Kootenai Tribe of Idaho, i.e., Anne Jerome Andrews, Simon Francis, Catherine Francis, and Mary Abraham.

The Brants purchased the artifacts with the agreement that none would be sold for personal gain but that all would be held and gifted to an organization that would keep the history of the Kootenai alive. It has been the desire of the Brants to keep these books, artifacts, and photos together for future reference for persons who may someday want to expand on Leonard’s work.