Idaho Preservation Group Wants Lynching Murals Kept Uncovered

BOISE, Idaho (AP) — The University of Idaho's plan to keep two murals inside the old Ada County Courthouse covered for the grand opening of its new campus is being contested by the state's leading historic preservation group.

The Spokesman-Review reports that Preservation Idaho sent a letter, asking the school not to cover the historic murals, which depict white settlers lynching a Native American man, during the new law school's opening. Benson wrote that Idaho's history should be "honored, interpreted, and left in place."

University spokeswoman Stefany Bales agrees that the history is something that shouldn't be forgotten.

A previous discussion around the murals took place in 2007. Bales says with the building's new purpose, it's time to re-evaluate the matter, but the murals will still be covered for the September opening.