MINIDOKA COUNTY, Idaho — A major transformation is underway at the Minidoka National Historic Site, where crews are restoring two historic buildings to preserve the stories of Japanese Americans incarcerated during World War II.

Community members, descendants of those once held at Minidoka, local, state and national leaders gathered Friday for a groundbreaking ceremony marking the start of the project.

For Robyn Achilles, whose grandparents were incarcerated at Heart Mountain Wyoming, the restoration is deeply personal.

“It was traumatic for many Japanese American families,” Achilles said. “For 20 years, people have been wanting to see this history preserved. People are really excited and happy to see this happen today.”

The site includes two buildings, the Block 22 barracks and the me

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