Comstock Foundation for History and Culture Named Storey County’s 2014 Business of The Year

The Comstock Foundation for History and Culture is pleased to announce receiving the 2014 Business of the Year for Storey County from the Northern Nevada Development Authority.

The Comstock Foundation, newly founded in 2013, has already led, supported, participated in and completed many restoration projects including the emergency restoration saving the Upper Yellow Jacket Hoist and Ore Chute, reopening work on the Gold Hill Depot, facility repairs and enhancements at both the Fourth Ward School and St. Marys Arts and Retreat Center, while also awarding funds to nine non-profit organizations within the Comstock historic District.

“We are all delighted with everything we have been able to achieve recently,” said Ron James, executive director of the Comstock Foundation. “And thrilled that we have received this important recognition, even though we have been in operation for only sixteen months.”

“Storey County hosts an incredible diversity of business and this special recognition of our efforts is wonderful because of the importance of the restoration and cultural work that we are doing for the District, the County and the State of Nevada,” said Corrado De Gasperis, chairman of the board of the Comstock Foundation. “We have assembled an incredible team and board, led by Ron James, and together, we are hoping to achieve a great deal more, as we focus on raising funds for future, critical restoration projects.” De Gasperis is also the CEO of Comstock Mining, Inc. The Company has dedicated a 1 percent net smelter return (1% NSR) from its Storey County operations to the Comstock Foundation for the advancement of historic preservation and other aspects of cultural development within the Comstock historic district.

The Foundation is currently acquiring Silver City’s historic Donovan Mill, which is in deep disrepair and was in imminent danger of being dismantled. The Foundation has already directed some cleanup activities and protective paint coatings before this winter. The Foundation is also selling a painting by renowned Nevada artist Steven Saylor called “Nine Cheers for the Silver State.” The painting depicts current prominent and former elected officials and others in an imagined scene from October 31, 1864, as part of the sesquicentennial celebration of Nevada statehood. Funds raised through the sale of this instant classic will significantly contribute to the Foundations on-going efforts to at-risk restore structures within the historic district.

Purchases of “Nine Cheers for the Silver State” include a rare, one ounce medallion minted from pure, .9999 Comstock silver. Comstock Mining issued the medallion in celebration of the sesquicentennial of Nevada statehood, dedicating part of the sales to the Comstock Foundation. The medallion features a scene of historic Gold Hill as it would have looked in 1870, including the Crown Point Trestle. The other side of the medallion depicts the Upper Yellow Jacket Hoist, the first major restoration of the Foundation.

This is the first time since the U.S. Mint in Carson City closed in 1893, that pure Comstock silver is being minted in such a substantial, authentic medallion. Each medallion is an expression of the deep heritage of the great Comstock Lode, famous for its enormous wealth, facilitating statehood for Nevada in 1864, innovating mining inventions, and shaping mining practices worldwide since its discovery. Details about the sale of prints and the opportunity for donating to the Comstock Foundation are available at www.ComstockFoundation.org. Information on purchasing the medallion is available at www.comstockmining.com/products.

The Comstock Foundation for History and Culture is a 501(c)(3) organization founded in 2013. Donations to the Comstock Foundation may be tax deductible. The Foundation’s mission is to encourage the preservation and promotion of historic and cultural resources within the Comstock Historic District. The District was granted National Historic Landmark status in 1961, and is one of the largest landmarks in the country. The Comstock Lode played a critical role in the history of mining between 1859 and 1942, producing an enormous amount of gold and silver and defining the cutting edge of mining technology during the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

For information about the Comstock Foundation for History and Culture and its projects go to www.comstockfoundation.org or contact Ron James, executive director of the Comstock Foundation, at 775-443-7803.