The John And Mary Lorang White Spring Ranch, Genesee, Idaho, as of January 6th 2004 is now a
National Historical Site!
It is the only Historical Ranch in Latah County on the Register and will represent the pioneers of the Idaho Palouse, even all of Idaho! We are forming a Non-Profit Museum and exciting plans for a Living History Farm are in the works! This will ensure that the Farmhouse, Barn, Curio and Log Cabin will be preserved indefinitely to tell the story of our heritage...and of all Idaho pioneers.
John Lorang built his pioneer home by adding onto the original 1885 (or earlier) homestead, in 1890 and again in 1904. He filled his ranch with a very large Grove of trees, collected from all over the world, preserved local and exotic animals, nests and eggs, as a taxidermist and had an amazing collection! Most of this collection was later donated to the University of Idaho, and recently became part of the Conner Museum, Washington State University. Plans are in the works to identify his collections there.
With no engineering experience, John Lorang built an aqueduct from a Spring on the farm.
The water flowed to the Barn, a trough for the animals in the field, and to a fountain,
which he built himself in 1913.
Restoration work of this historic site will require a large financial investment. We plan
to apply for as many grants as possible, but believe a significant amount of funding will
need to come from family, friends and anyone interested in efforts to preserve the History
of this incredible Pioneer. Donations can be made to "Lorang Farm Restoration"
at any branch of Wells Fargo bank.
For more detail:
Local school kids have a field day at the ranch this spring!
THE HOME IS PAINTED!
Immediate Projects Added 04/26/07
Archival Letter Inventory 1880-1929 Added 04/26/07
Henry's WWI Story (The Genesse News January 12th 1968) Added 04/26/07
Henry's WWI Letters to Marguerite 1917-1919 Before Army Discharge Added 04/26/07
Museum Area Lodging Museum Open by appointment. Please call Janet Lorang at (208)285-1484
Newsletters NEWSLETTER # 12 December 2006 here now!
White Spring Ranch…The Cabin Matthew W. Ruth April, 29 2004
Future Plans, Work done so far.. (word.doc, updated 12/15/2005)
More Plans for after the restoration 03/05/04
John's Story posted 02/10/04
Henry's Lorang's Poems: LIFE ON THE FARM and 4 Others
John & Mary coming west (word.doc)
If you have any questions, or would like to learn any more of this amazing story, contact Diana Conroy
PHOTOS Photos are only available for private non-commercial use (Thank you for your understanding)
Family Picnic 1904 With Names (Be sure to enlarge this on your screen with your mouse magnifier)
FAMILY TREE (Ancestry.com .......wow.....there are a lot of you (us?) out there.)
Idaho Community Foundation
http://www.idcomfdn.org/
Thanks
to the J.A. Kathryn Albertson Foundation Education Fund in the Idaho Community
Foundation
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Idaho Humanities Council, a State-based Program of the National Endowment for the Humanities
This project is made possible by a grant from the Idaho Hertitage Trust, an endowment for the preservation of the historic buildings, sites and artifacts.
This project is supported in part by Latah County
Community Foundation
www.latahfoundation.org
Website created by Brian Conroy, great grandson of John Lorang : Suggestions & comments to bandc@oregonconroys.com
This website is a work in progress. As time permits it will grow and hopefully improve. All suggestions welcome. Updated 01/10/2008