Emily Fritchman-Mahaney

Specializations

Idaho History
Public History
Architectural History
American History

Education

M.A., Boise State University
B.A., Boise State University

Emily Fritchman-Mahaney is an Idaho native, born and raised in Southeast Boise near the Boise State University campus. Though she has spent much of her life traveling, Boise has always been home – and she is happy to be back in the History Department!

After completing her B.A. in History from Boise State, Fritchman-Mahaney completed the Master of Applied Historical Research program in 2020. Her research project, titled: “Finding Common Purpose: A History of Community Activism in Boise, Idaho” focused on the evolution of city neighborhood organizations in Boise, particularly as they relate to urban development, environmental conservation, and historic preservation. During her time as a student and professional, she has worked for all levels of the local and federal government, including the Idaho State Historic Preservation Office, the City of Boise, the Old Idaho Penitentiary, the National Park Service, Boise State University’s School of Public Service, and Preservation Idaho. After graduation, Fritchman-Mahaney opened her own historical consulting business, conducting oral histories, creating walking tours, designing exhibits, and completing historical research for both public and private entities.
Fritchman-Mahaney’s publications include: “Food of the Pharaohs,” (2017) featured in Half the World: Refugees Transform the City of Trees, and Hammer and Drill (2016) part of The Other Idahoans: Forgotten Stories of the Boise Valley. Her recent work as a consultant has been featured at Rock Creek Station & Stricker Homesite, Gowen Field, and through the City of Boise’s Oral History collection. Currently, she is working on developing a mobile walking tour of the River Street Neighborhood as part of the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s “Tell the Full Story” grant, awarded to Preservation Idaho in early 2022. She will also be serving as a panelist at this year’s Idaho Heritage Conference breakout session: “How can Historic Preservation be more Inclusive? Learning from Advocacy and Preservation Work in Under-represented Communities in Idaho.”

Above all, Fritchman-Mahaney is passionate about working with students from all walks of life. Her goal is to make history exciting, engaging, and interesting for everyone – both in the classroom and beyond. She teaches courses in American History, Idaho History, and Ethical Decision Making. When she’s not doing history stuff, Mahaney loves spending time with friends and family, gardening, reading, antiquing, playing her ukulele and piano, and hanging out with her dog, Riley.

Contact

Office L-174
emilyfritchman@boisestate.edu

Spring 2024 Office Hours:

Mo/We: 04:30 – 06:00 pm 

Tu: 01:30 – 02:45 pm and by appointment

Teaching

UF 200: Ethics & Diversity in Idaho History

HIST 381: Legends in Idaho History

HIST 111: United States History I