Carson City, statewide events in May celebrate historic preservation and archaeology

Since the early 1980s, May has been a month for celebrating historic preservation and archaeology in Nevada. Agencies and organizations have teamed to spread awareness of archaeological and historic preservation efforts throughout the state and encourage both residents and visitors to explore and learn about Nevada’s significant archaeological and historical treasures.

Carson City Events:
May 1-27: Carson City Historic Resources Commission Scavenger Hunt
This popular scavenger hunt consists of two contests, one for adults, and one for kids. The goal is to find all of the architectural building features from the pictures provided and give the correct address. Participants with all of the correct answers will be entered into a drawing for either a free lunch for two at Adele's (adults) or a gift certificate for a free pizza at Brugos (kids).
Sponsor: Carson City Planning/Adele's/Brugo's Pizza
Where: Carson City and surrounding area
More information: Janice Keillor, (775) 283-7069; jkeillor@carson.org
Cost: Free
Website: http://carson.org/index.aspx?page=2542

May 2: Family Fun Saturday: Young Chautauqua
Discover a fun, engaging way to learn history. Young performers bring historical characters to life: meet Osa Johnson, Robert Baden-Powell, John Muir, Amelia Earhart, Anne Frank, and Coco Chanel. All ages are welcome to attend performances directed by Anita Watson, Ph.D.
Sponsor: Nevada State Museum and Nevada Humanities
Where: Nevada State Museum, 600 N. Carson Street, Carson City
When: 1 p.m. - 2 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.
More information: Deborah Stevenson, Curator of Education, (775) 687-4810, ext. 237; dstevenson@nevadaculture.org
Cost/Admission: $8 for adults; free for museum members and ages 17 and under
Reservations: Not required, but early arrival is recommended.
Website: www.museums.nevadaculture.org

May 28: Andean Prehistory: The Archaeology of Ancient Civilizations in Peru by Hal Starratt, Ph.D.
Nevadan’s are invited to this lecture that goes beyond the Incan culture to explore the archaeological past that goes back 1000s of years in ancient Peru. Discover the Moche civilization that flourished for 800 years in the first millennium AD, and stretched for 500 miles, encompassing several river systems and many large cities in the arid coastal plain.
Sponsor: Nevada State Museum and Western Nevada College
Where: Nevada State Museum, 600 N. Carson Street, Carson City
When: 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., doors open at 6 p.m.
More information: Deborah Stevenson, Curator of Education, (775) 687-4810, ext. 237; dstevenson@nevadaculture.org
Cost/Admission: $8 for adults; free for museum members and ages 17 and under
Reservations: Not required, but early arrival is recommended.
Website: www.museums.nevadaculture.org

May 29: Demonstration of Coin Press No. 1
Volunteer Ken Hopple will demonstrate the operation of this original Coin Press in the Historic Carson City Mint building.
Sponsor: Nevada State Museum
Where: Nevada State Museum, 600 N. Carson Street, Carson City
When: 10:30 a.m. - 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
More information: Robert Nylen, (775) 687-4810, ext. 245; rnylen@nevadaculture.org
Cost/Admission: $8 for adults; free for museum members and ages 17 and under.
Website: www.museums.nevadaculture.org

Churchill County Events
May 9: Grimes Point Tour
The archaeologist-guided tour at Grimes Point involves a gentle hike of around a half-mile and takes about an hour. Dr. Pat Barker, retired BLM Nevada State Archaeologist, will meet you in the parking lot of the Grimes Point Archaeological Area at 10 a.m. The parking area has restrooms and picnic benches and is marked by a large sign on US 50. The tour will provide information about the archaeology of the Grimes Point area and the importance of its prehistoric rock art.
Sponsor: Nevada Rock Art Foundation
Where: Grimes Point Archaeological Area, US 50, 12 miles east of Fallon
When: 10 a.m.
More information: Darla Garey-Sage, PhD., (775) 323-6723; info@nvrockart.org
Cost/Admission: Free
Reservations: Reservations are required. Visitors must register for the tour with Nevada Rock Art Foundation, either via email or telephone.
Website: http://nvrockart.org/pages/tours.html

Lyon County Events
May 1-31: Dayton Museum
The Dayton Museum is open all month in celebration of Historic Preservation and Archaeological Awareness Month.
Sponsor: Historical Society of Dayton Valley
Where: 135 Shady Lane, Old Town Dayton
When: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
More information: (775) 246-6316
Cost/Admission: Free
Website: www.daytonnvhistory.org

May 7: Dayton 1875 Firehouse and Jail History Public Lecture
Stony Tennant will present a history of the 1875 Firehouse and Jail.
Sponsor: Historical Society of Dayton Valley
Where: Dayton Valley Community Center, 170 Pike Street
When: 7 p.m.
More information: (775) 246-6316
Cost/Admission: Free
Website: www.daytonnvhistory.org

May 9: A Tour of Historic Schools on the Comstock
This tour features three nineteenth century schools on the Comstock. Although none are still used as schools, all remain active links to our history. The first school on the tour is the 1865 Dayton Grammar School, which is celebrating its 150th birthday this year. This makes it the oldest school in Nevada that is still at its original location. The second stop on the tour will be in Silver City. The final stop will be in Virginia City at the historic Fourth Ward School.
Sponsors: Silver City Historic Preservation Society, Historical Society of Dayton Valley, and the Fourth Ward School Museum
Where: 135 Shady Lane, Dayton
When: 1 p.m.
More information: Ron Reno, (775) 846-3474 or RLReno@gbis.com
Cost/Admission: $15 per person; group limited to 25 people.
Reservations: Advanced reservations are required and participants are encouraged to arrive early to sign in.
Websites: Silver City Historic Preservation Society (on Facebook at Silver City School
House) Historical Society of Dayton Valley (www.daytonnvhistory.org)
Fourth Ward School Museum (www.fourthwardschool.org)

May 14: School Life in 1960s Dayton, Public Lecture
Julie Minor Workman and Jannette Hoffert will present a lecture on school life in 1960s Dayton.
Sponsor: Historical Society of Dayton Valley
Where: Dayton Valley Community Center
When: 7 p.m.
More information: (775) 246-6316
Cost/Admission: Free
Website: www.daytonnvhistory.org

May 16: “Cultural Repopulation” of Silver City
This event will include a display of rarely seen photographs, newspaper columns, essays, books, posters and other artifacts related to the "cultural re-population" of the historical community of Silver City, Nevada between, roughly, 1965 and 2005. The evening will also include a screening of the documentary film Rockin’ at the Red Dog- The Dawn of Psychedelic Rock by Mary Works Covington. Mary Works Covington will introduce the film and she and other long-time residents of Silver City will host a Q & A after the screening.
Sponsor: Silver City Arts Group
Where: Silver City School House/Community Center, 385 High Street, Silver City
When: 6 p.m.
More information: Quest Lakes, (775) 847-0742
Cost/Admission: Free

May 28: Dayton Elementary School History
Don Dallas, who served as Dayton Elementary School Principal in the 1970s, will discuss his experience with education in Dayton.
Sponsor: Historical Society of Dayton Valley
Where: Dayton Library Meeting Room, 321 Old Dayton Valley Road
When: 7 p.m.
More information: (775) 246-6316
Cost/Admission: Free
Website: www.daytonnvhistory.org

Storey County Events
May 9: A Tour of Historic Schools on the Comstock
This tour features three nineteenth century schools on the Comstock. Although none are still used as schools, all remain active links with our history. The first school on the tour is the 1865 Dayton Grammar School, which is celebrating its 150th birthday this year. This makes it the oldest school in Nevada that is still at its original location. The second stop on the tour will be in Silver City. The final stop will be in Virginia City at the historic Fourth Ward School.

Sponsors: Silver City Historic Preservation Society, Historical Society of Dayton Valley, and the Fourth Ward School Museum
Where: 135 Shady Lane, Dayton
When: 1 p.m.
More information: Ron Reno, (775) 846-3474 or RLReno@gbis.com
Cost/Admission: $15 per person; group limited to 25 people.
Reservations: Advanced reservations are required and participants are encouraged to arrive early to sign in.
Websites: Silver City Historic Preservation Society (on Facebook at Silver City School
House) Historical Society of Dayton Valley (www.daytonnvhistory.org)
Fourth Ward School Museum (www.fourthwardschool.org)

Washoe County Events
May 2: Newlands Neighborhood Walking Tour
Enjoy an architectural walk through one of Reno’s oldest and most prestigious neighborhoods.
Sponsor: Historic Reno Preservation Society
Where: Meet at My Favorite Muffin, 340 California Avenue, Reno
When: 10 a.m.
More information: Cindy Ainsworth, (775) 747-4478
Cost/Admission: $10 per person or free to HRPS members.
Reservations: Required.
Website: www.historicreno.org

May 2: Reno Main Post Office Tour and Lecture
The Reno Main Post Office, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, was designed by noted architect Frederic Joseph DeLongchamps in 1932. The property has recently been rehabilitated and the tour provides a unique opportunity to see the results.
Sponsor: Nevada Architectural History Alliance
Where: Reno Main Post Office, 50 South Virginia Street, Reno
When: 1 p.m. - 3 p.m.
More information: Ron Reno, (775) 846-3474
Cost/Admission: Free.
Reservations: Reservations are recommended by emailing mara310@gmail.com
Website: www.nevada-aha.org

May 8: Magic & Mystery: The Cave Sites of Prehistoric Nevada
Caves provided some of the first shelters, storage spaces and ceremonial centers for the prehistoric peoples of Nevada. Consequently, these cave sites have provided archaeologists with invaluable information about the ancient environment, diets, settlement patterns, religious practices and cultural lives of ancient groups. The importance of many of these caves has extended into the present, as many are considered ‘Traditional Cultural Properties’ and still used in ceremonies by modern Native American tribes.

Sponsor: Nevadans for Cultural Preservation and the Nevada Site Stewardship Program
Where: Truckee Meadows Community College, Sierra Building Room 204, 7000 Dandini Blvd, Reno
When: 6:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
More information: Rayette Martin, (702) 486-5011
Cost/Admission: Free
Reservations: Reservations are required by May 1; contact Rayette Martin at ramartin@shpo.nv.gov or 702-486-5011
Website: www.nvfcp.org

May 9: Cultural Crossroads, East Side Walking Tour
Some call Lake Street “Paradise Lost” but we will recreate the vibrant Chinese, Italian and Basque neighborhoods of historic Reno.
Sponsor: Historic Reno Preservation Society
Where: Meet at the National Automobile Museum parking lot, 10 Lake Street, Reno
When: 10 a.m.
More information: Cindy Ainsworth, (775) 747-4478
Cost/Admission: $10 per person or free to HRPS members.
Reservations: Reservations are required.
Website: www.historicreno.org

May 16: Bricks & Stones Walking Tour
A walk through the Humboldt and Lander Streets Neighborhood. Discover the architectural treasures of this area, a mix of bungalows, Tudor and mission revivals and cottage styles.
Sponsor: Historic Reno Preservation Society
Where: Meet at My Favorite Muffin, 340 California Avenue, Reno
When: 10 a.m.
More information: Cindy Ainsworth, (775) 747-4478
Cost/Admission: $10 per person or free to HRPS members.
Reservations: Reservations are required.
Website: www.historicreno.org

May 23: Movie Footprints in Reno Walking Tour
Walk in the footsteps of Marilyn Monroe, Kirk Douglas, Kevin Costner, Clint Eastwood, Maggie Smith, Helen Mirren and more. The tour covers downtown Reno's rich filming history inspired by divorce, gambling and the city's distinct look.
Sponsor: Historic Reno Preservation Society
Where: Meet at the National Automobile Museum, 10 Lake Street, Reno
When: 10 a.m.
More information: Cindy Ainsworth, (775) 747-4478
Cost/Admission: $10 per person or free to HRPS members.
Reservations: Reservations are required.
Website: www.historicreno.org

May 30: Beyond the Arches Walking Tour
Witness downtown Reno as it has reinvented itself for 150 years. This tour links the downtown Reno arches with stories of the forces that shaped the town: railroad and mining, immigrants and its legacy as a notorious divorce and gambling mecca.
Sponsor: Historic Reno Preservation Society
Where: Meet at the National Automobile Museum, 10 Lake Street, Reno
When: 10 a.m.
More information: Cindy Ainsworth, (775) 747-4478
Cost/Admission: $10 per person or free to HRPS members.
Reservations: Reservations are required.
Website: www.historicreno.org

— Jenny Ramella is a Public Information Officer for the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources