Elorriaga Museum Dedication in Jordan Valley

High desert temperatures in the mid 90's did not deter any of the fanfare, parade, exhibitors, music, dance and pilota performances from celebrating the dedication of the ION (Idaho, Oregon, Nevada) Heritage Museum, which was the Elorriaga home in Jordan Valley, Oregon.  Jordan Valley, situated in the Owyhee mountains near the borders of Idaho and Nevada, is a pivotal settlement town where a melting of cultures including Basque, Scottish and Irish live harmoniously together.   People from all over the Treasure Valley and beyond came to help celebrate the gifting of the Elorriaga home to the ION Heritage Museum, which will now be enjoyed by  the Malheur County, Oregon community and beyond.

Master of Ceremony, Roy Eiguren, friend of John Elorriaga and whose parents are also from Jordan Valley, opened the ceremony from the podium with a welcome speech and announced the Posting of the Colors by Idaho Civil War Volunteers and the singing of the national anthem by Liz Eiguren Bilbao.  Roy Eiguren said that John’s father Ambrose, built the home with stone masons brought in  from Boise to make his wife Maria feel more at home like in the Basque Country in Sondika.  John grew up in Jordan Valley and went on to accomplish great professional positions, but his contributions to community development are legendary.  “John’s love of people, his buoyant and positive disposition, and his gentle ways uniquely distinguish him as a person as well as community and corporate leader”. 

Joanne Cunningham, museum curator, spoke from the podium about how people involved had been working on this project for five years from concept and financing to organizing artifacts.  She said the new museum is a great addition to the existing ION Museum in the downtown. 

The new museum showcases original living and dining room artifacts such as the dinner ware used by the Elorriaga family.  An organ and old post office are set off to the side along with many interesting and unique items about the family and people who settled and lived in the area.

There are several theme rooms such as Pilar’s Beauty Salon, complete with boutique jars, products, appliances used.   John credits his sister, Pilar, for saving most of the items throughout the home/boarding house.  A military room includes uniforms of men, many Basques, from the area who served in earlier wars including World War II.  A music room showcases a collection of Basque instruments and a Jukebox of an earlier era, complete in its original wood cabinet.

Bob Skinner Sr., a Jordan Valley resident, museum board member,  friend of John, and organizer, presented John the Elorriaga Family Plaque.  John Elorriaga graciously accepted and remarked from the stage  of his thanks to all involved and for the wonderful and diligent work during the five years.  He gave special credit and thanks to his sister, family all the volunteers involved.  John said he was very proud to be Basque and an American and didn't have think twice about donating his parents home and boarding house to the museum.

The grand opening was spirited first with a parade and afterwards with performances by the Oinkari Dantzariak and Boise Highlanders Bagpipe and dance troupes and Homedale Herribatza youth Basque dance group.  The Idaho Civil War Volunteers created a replica of a camp circa 1863.  A Basque blacksmith from the area, Andres Franco, exhibited iron work implementations.  Snake River Fiber Artisans showcased their fine textile works.  There were also men and women’s pilota and pala games in the outdoor fronton.

 Slideshow of Saturday's ION Heritage Museum Dedication Celebration:

 John Elorriaga Interview:

Roy Eiguren Interview:

Miren Artiach Interview:

Pete Cenarrusa Interview: