MILWAUKEE ROAD HISTORICAL
ASSOCIATION
2023 ANNUAL CONVENTION
JUNE 22 – 23 – 24 – 25, 2023
WALLACE ELKS LODGE
WALLACE, IDAHO
The Milwaukee Road Historical Association invites its members, their families, guests, and former employees to attend the 2023 Annual Meeting and Convention in Wallace, Idaho. In conjunction with our new book on Taft and the St. Paul Pass Tunnel, our activities will feature a tour on a portion of the former Milwaukee right-of-way in the area, a visit to Avery, where the eastern electrification ended, and the opportunity to experience one of two special “adventures.” The first is a bicycle ride on the Hiawatha Trail (downhill all the way) through the St. Paul Pass Tunnel and on the roadbed down the west side of the mountain. On that ride, you will go through a number of smaller tunnels, across a number of trestles, and see some of the most beautiful scenery on the entire railroad. Complimentary two or three wheeled bicycles will be provided to participants. The dedication of a marker honoring the men who perished building the railroad through the tunnel and the mountains is a part of this activity. The second is a combination “adventure” allowing you to ride a zipline (especially designed for us older folks), tour an underground silver mine, and visit some local museums. We also have some outstanding presenters who will give us perspectives on the history of this area. However, due to the limited
size of the facilities, the convention will be limited to 200 people, so make
your reservations as soon as possible.
Thursday, June 22nd – Registration will begin at 2:00PM at the Wallace Elks Lodge. This will also be
the site of all meals and programs.
There will be an opportunity to visit the Company Store, and spend time
with the vendors and display tables. A
buffet dinner will be served at 5:00PM and the evening programs will begin at
6:00PM with welcomes by our president, Jeff Goutcher, and Shauna Hillman
representing the Wallace community. This
will be followed by a program on the history of the U. S. Forest Service in the
area and a retrospective of the Big Burn Fire of 1910. It will then be time for
open projectors. The women will also
have a program featuring a guest speaker and some fun activities.
Friday, June 23rd – Breakfast will be served from 7:00AM to 8:30AM at the Wallace Elks Lodge. At 9:00AM buses will leave for the tour of East Portal and Avery and a box lunch will be served along the way. Upon return to Wallace, the Great Milwaukee Auction will be held at the Wallace Elks Lodge with some unique items available this year. A cash bar will be open at 4:00PM and buffet dinner will be served from 5:00 to 6:00PM. Following dinner, the MRHA Annual Business Meeting will be held. At its completion the evening programs for men and women will begin. The women’s program will feature a presentation on safely disbursing collections. For the men, Alan Freed will provide a two-part program on riding the abandoned lines and Amtrak experiences. Milt Clark will follow with a presentation on Train Control in the Mountains. We will again finish the evening with attendee’s presentations.
Saturday, June 24th – Breakfast will again be served at the Wallace Elks Lodge from 7:00 to 8:30AM. Buses will depart again at 9:00AM for the bicycle riders who wish to ride the Hiawatha Trail. The dedication of a marker to the workers who perished building the tunnel will take place before the ride begins. For those taking the zip line adventure, silver mine tour and other local sites, no bus will be needed as all sites are within walking distance in the town of Wallace. When everyone returns from the days events it will be time to celebrate. A cash bar will be open starting at 4:30PM at the Wallace Elks Lodge. To stimulate your appetite, as a part of your banquet dinner, each person will receive a free drink. The Banquet Dinner will begin at 5:30PM with some announcements and final information and will end at 7:00PM to allow some time for socialization as well as enjoying the food. At 7:00PM our guest speaker will complete the evening’s activities.
Sunday, June 25th – Breakfast will again be served at the Wallace Elks Lodge and then it will be farewell until next year when we will meet again in . . . you’ll be surprised!
CONVENTION POLICIES & MISCELLANY
MRHA CONVENTION
POLICY – Only current members of
MRHA, their families and guests, former Milwaukee Road employees and those
making presentations for the convention are permitted to attend.
CHANGES IN
CONVENTION ACTIVITIES AND PROGRAMS
– While MRHA is proud to present a
diversified and interesting convention for its members as previously noted,
forces beyond its control may cause cancellation or changes in activities or
programs. Such changes may be made without notice and do not constitute a
breach of contract.
REFUND POLICY – MRHA will refund any cancelled convention fees (minus a 10% fee to cover
fixed costs) if notified in writing or by email by June 1, 2023. No refunds will be issued after this date
except in case of proven emergency (serious illness, death in the family,
etc.).
CONVENTION MEALS – If you have any special dietary needs that require
a special menu throughout the convention, please indicate that on the
registration form. Requests made at the
convention site may not be able to be accommodated.
CONVENTION FEE
SPECIAL REQUESTS – We are no
longer able to accommodate special requests for partial participation in
convention events. Only two fees (full fare
and meals only) listed on the enclosed registration form will be accepted.
SALES TABLES – Any MRHA member or vendor is allowed one complimentary display or sales table. Anyone desiring additional tables will be required to pay a fee of $15.00 for each additional table. Reservations must be made using this or the online form before June 1, 2023.
PLEASE
NOTE
CONVENTION FEES DO NOT
INCLUED THE COST OF YOUR HOTEL ROOM.
YOU MUST MAKE YOUR OWN HOTEL RESERVATIONS. DUE TO THE LIMITED NUMBER OF AVAILABLE ROOMS PLEASE DO SO AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
REMEMBER TO MENTION YOU ARE WITH THE MILWAUKEE ROAD CONVENTION IF YOU CHOOSE ONE OF THE HOTELS LISTED BELOW.
PLEASE NOTE THERE ARE
NO ELEVATORS AT ANY HOTEL IN WALLACE.
THE RYAN HOTEL ONLY HAS 2ND FLOOR ROOMS.
HOTEL
CHOICES
Wallace Inn – SOLD OUT 45 Modern Rooms – 208-752-1252 (By phone only)
MRHA block held only until March 22, 2023.
Prices vary (AAA/AARP
discount and by floor) Basic Price is $188 per night for an upstairs queen bed
room.
Stardust Hotel – 36 rooms – Basic Style Updated 208-752-1213
Rates are $169 to $189 per
night. Book on website (www.stardustwallace.com)
1.Click on Book Now 2. Click on Advanced 3. Enter Group ID – MRHA2023
4. Choose Room Type 5. Edit dates for check in and check out –
MRHA rates are good only 6-21 to 6/26.
Brooks Hotel – 18 rooms – Renovated Historical 208-556-1571
All have mini fridge and
microwave. Rates are $120 for single
queens (10 rooms)
$169 for double queens (4
rooms) and double king (1) single kings (3) are $159 before MRHA discount of
10%.
Ryan Hotel – 14 Rooms – Very basic 208-753-6001
All 2nd floor –
9 have private baths. Rooms with private baths are $165 per night.
There are other towns not
too far away but this being the high tourist season, rates will most likely be
similar.
For those interested,
there are two nearby full-service RV parks. Wallace RV Park is located in town,
and Blue Anchor RV Park is located 5 miles west of town. Both locations are
expected to fill up quickly, so make reservations early.
For questions related to the convention or trouble registering, please contact office@mrha.com.