MINIDOKA INTERNMENT NATIONAL MONUMENT

IDAHO

Minidoka Internment National Monument commemorates the hardships and sacrifices of Japanese Americans and legal resident aliens of Japanese ancestry interned during World War II.

Established in 2001, it is the 385th unit of the National Park System.

Little remains of the buildings that once supported the Minidoka community. Many of the wartime residents are still alive and the history they tell goes beyond the pain of forced relocation to the perseverance of people who were moved to the desolate surroundings of the desert for the duration of the war. This powerful National Monument is relevant to every generation and the lessons from this chapter of our history need to be passed on.

DID YOU KNOW

• Minidoka Relocation Center, a 33,000-acre site with more than 600 buildings, was in operation from August 1942 until October 1945.
• The center was nicknamed “Hunt Camp” after the Hunt, Idaho, post office where internees received mail.
• A total of more than 13,000 internees from Washington, Oregon, and Alaska went through its gate, with a peak population of 9,500.
• The spud cellar, one of the few remaining historic structures on the site, was constructed by the internees.
• Nearly ten percent of the camp’s population – about 1,000 internees -- were in U.S. military service. Of the ten relocation centers, Minidoka had the most volunteers.
• The 442nd combat unit fought in France and Italy alongside the 100th Battalion from Hawaii and was the most highly decorated unit of its size in military history.
• 73 soldiers from Minidoka died while fighting for our country.

DON'T MISS ATTRACTIONS

• Take a walk and experience the remoteness, isolation, and quiet of the area. Utilize the opportunity for introspection and empathy for internees struggling to cope in an extreme environment.
• Visit the Minidoka display maintained at Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument Visitor Center. The bookstore includes a variety of Minidoka books.
• The Minidoka website (www.nps.gov/miin) offers virtual visitors an abundance of information and links.

NATIONAL PARK SERVICE PRIORITIES

• Completing Minidoka’s General Management Plan.
• Hosting annual pilgrimages to Minidoka in partnership with the Japanese American Citizens League, Nisei Veterans Committee, the Wing Luke Museum, and Friends of Minidoka.
• Collaborating with the Wing Luke Asian Museum in Seattle to gain further insight into the Japanese Americans’ experience.
• Working with the Friends of Minidoka for the exchange of information in support of education, historic preservation, research projects, workshops, and conferences.
• Joining with the Jerome Historical Society and the Idaho Farm and Ranch Museum, which maintains a “restored” barrack.
• Supporting continuing historical research and archeological surveys. Completion of the archeological investigations at the entrance area, including the garden and gate.
• Compiling oral histories in partnership with the Densho Project.

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LINKS:

Minidoka Internment National Monument»

Partnering & Managing for Excellence Report»

Previously Featured Parks»