lawson's emu-z-um

This place has a room for everyone! If you like glass bottles, or typewriters, or dolls, or rocks, or even kitchenware, this place has a room for you. With so many collectible antiques, Jack and Belva have created a diamond in the middle of Idaho rough. Highly recommend you to make a stop there and visit their amazing EMU-Z-UM!

If you are amused by antiques and collectibles, this may be one of the most impressive collections in the state of Idaho. The Emu-Z-um only has one last emu, but the old emu buildings house numerous antiques and collectibles in about a 50% antique, 50% collectible mix. If you are into the sort of things that people collect, there is a nice assortment of just about everything. You can find old soda shop equipment built into a nice display, glass bottles of every sort of color and age, and just about something for everyone. Much of the old Silver City museum contents are located here along with a great deal of historical furniture and mining equipment. The layout of the collections are very nicely done. Belva showed us around the numerous buildings that house the collections. Every room of her old house is filled with the stuff that people collect. You have to see all of the displays to really appreciate just how much time and energy were put into making this place a nice side trip to the Owyhee Scenic Backcountry route. The $10 admission seems steep, but maybe not so much after you see just how this collection was put together.

Located on a rather remote farm in rural Idaho just 30 minutes south of Mountain Home, this museum was a huge surprise. Housed in over 30 separate buildings, this incredible collection was accumulated by owner Jack Lawson over a 50-year period and are now displayed in beautiful vignettes arranged by Jack's wife and museum co-owner Belva. From the dozens of pieces of farm equipment lining the driveway, to the Western Town, every room has a theme. Not only was the museum fascinating and fun to visit, every surface was spotless. Jack and Belva, who are rightfully proud of what they've built, welcomed us warmly and were our enthusiastic guides throughout our visit, answering questions and providing commentary on what we were seeing. This is worth a drive to see!

This museum is a real treasure out in the country 1 hour+ from Boise. I highly recommend it to anyone who has a love of history or antiques. It is just a FUN place to see, and the setting on the Snake River is beautiful. The best part is the owners, they are so nice! It is a semi guided tour with many buildings to look in at your own pace. We thought at first the $10 fee was a bit steep, but when we finished decided it was a bargain!