"Friends of The Bishops' House is a non-profit organization dedicated to the historical preservation of this grand old building. This beautiful building was once home to a succession of The Episcopal Bishops of Idaho. Each of the men who served as the head of Episcopal Diocese of Idaho lived in this home with their families while serving in the capacity as The Episcopal Bishop of Idaho. The original house was built in the 1880s, and was remodeled to its current stately towered Queen Anne style Victorian home in 1899.

The Bishops' House is located on Old Penitentiary Road, but was originally located close to the main Boise proper at the corner of 2nd and Idaho Streets. It had been neglected over the years, and was scheduled to be torn down. The Friends of the Bishops' House non-profit organization was created in 1975 through the interest of a number of local architects, preservationists and concerned citizens. The friends of The Bishops' House purchased the building, arranged to have it set at the site at the historic Old Penitentiary grounds, and coordinated moving it. Today The Bishops' House sits between the Warden's House and The Guardhouse, facing the Old Pen, shadowed by the foothills.

Years of fundraising and donated dollars resulted in the restoration of this graceful Victorian home. In 1977 the Idaho Historic Preservation Council awarded The Bishops' House the Orchid Award for "Restoration of a Building for a Productive Use: and the Friends of The Bishops' House are committed to uphold this distinction. The building is available to the public for event rentals throughout the year, and every event helps to restore and preserve this historic home, a part of our Boise heritage and a part of our Idaho history.