Blackfoot, ID – The Idaho Potato Museum is located in the old railroad station in the town of Blackfoot, Idaho. We were staying at the Arco KOA, about an hour west of Blackfoot. We combined our visit with a trip to the Eastern Idaho State Fair. Potatoes are one of the main crops grown in parts of Idaho. The museum celebrates the potato and includes the history of the potato, which has its origins in Peru. Potatoes were first brought to the US by Irish immigrants.
Marilyn Monroe promoted Idaho potatoes
There are displays explaining how potatoes are grown and harvested. Another area describes the different types of potatoes (russet, gold, red, and fingerling) and their uses. There are collections of potato gadgets like peelers and mashers. They have a small video room with multiple short films on display.
Potato Mashers
Information about Russet Potato
Gold Potato information
Another display includes sorting machines from different eras. They have an interactive kids area. An area is devoted to Mr. Potatohead and other potato toys. There are also areas full of potato kitsch. There are numerous potato fast facts such as on average, Americans consume 110 lbs of potatoes per year.
A potato fun fact
An older potato sorter
Potato sorter
The Idaho Potato Museum charged $4 per adult for admission ($3.50 with AAA membership). We enjoyed our tour. They have a gift shop and a cafe which serves baked potatoes with the topping of the day (chili, sausage gravy, etc). The museum is located at 130 NW Main St; Blackfoot, ID 83221. Hours include Monday-Saturday 9:30am-7pm.
