Internship Coordinator
Specializations
Idaho History
Public History
Architectural History
American History
Education
M.A., Boise State University
B.A., Boise State University
Emily Fritchman-Mahaney is a fifth-generation Boisean, born and raised in Southeast Boise near the Boise State University campus. Her family home, the 1892 Joseph Chitwood House – a vernacular Queen Anne – stoked her passion for local history and preservation from a young age. She is happy to be back in the History Department!
After completing her B.A. in History and English minor through the Honors College, 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. 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. During her time as a student and professional, she has collaborated with several agencies, including the Idaho State Historic Preservation Office, the Old Idaho Penitentiary, the National Park Service, and Preservation Idaho.
She recently served as a principal researcher in the development of 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.
Above all, Fritchman-Mahaney is passionate about working with students from all walks of life. Her goal is to make history captivating and inspiring – both in the classroom and beyond. In addition to teaching courses and serving as the Department’s internship coordinator, her community involvement includes Preservation Idaho, the Old Idaho Penitentiary, and Friends’ of the Bishops House, and the Egyptian Theatre.
She teaches courses in American History, Idaho History, and Ethical Decision Making.
Publications
Fritchman, Emily and Dan Everhart, “A River Street Neighborhood WalkAbout at Your Fingertips” (2022). Preservation Idaho (Boise, ID). https://www.idahoarchitectureproject.org/product/river-street-neighborhood-walkabout/
Fritchman, Emily, “Finding Common Purpose: A History of Community Organizing in Boise, Idaho” (2020). History Graduate Projects and Theses. 12. https://scholarworks.boisestate.edu/history_gradproj/12
Fritchman, Emily, “Food of the Pharaohs,” (2017) featured in Half the World: Refugees Transform the City of Trees (Boise, ID)
Fritchman, Emily “Hammer and Drill,” (2016) featured in The Other Idahoans: Forgotten Stories of the Boise Valley’ (Boise, ID)
Media
Drueding, Meghan. “River Street Review: Boise, Idaho, Preservationists Spotlight a Local Neighborhood’s Multicultural Past.” (Preservation Magazine, Winter 2024). https://savingplaces.org/stories/boise-idahos-river-street-neighborhood
Awards
2024 | University Foundations Teaching Award, Social Sciences
2023 | University Foundations Teaching Award, UF 200
Teaching
HIST 360 – Legends in Idaho History
HIST 111 – US History 1
HIST 101 – World History 1
UF 200 – Ethics & Diversity in Idaho History
Contact
Office L-175
emilyfritchman@boisestate.edu
Spring 2025 Office Hours:
Mon/Wed: 3:00 – 4:15 pm
Tue: 01:30 – 02:30 pm and by appointment
Google Calendar: https://calendar.app.google/wPKXHTKaXwyrHfPv6