May events in Lyon, Washoe counties celebrate Nevada's historic preservation and archaeology

CARSON CITY — Since the early 1980s, May has been a month for celebrating historic preservation and archaeology in Nevada. Nevada agencies and organizations have worked hard to spread awareness of archaeological and historic preservation efforts throughout the Silver State, encouraging both residents and visitors to explore and learn about Nevada’s significant archaeological and historical treasures.

Lyon County
The Dayton Schoolhouse Museum: The Making of Misfits
The museum will be open every day in May. See the latest exhibit about the Making of the Misfits in Dayton. The 1961 American drama film, written by Arthur Miller, stared Clark Gable, Marilyn Monroe and Montgomery Clift, as they spend time in the western Nevada desert in the 1960s.

Where: 135 Shady Lane, Dayton
When: 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. weekdays
— 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Saturdays
— 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Sundays
More information: 775-246-6316 and 775-246-3256
Cost/Admission: Free.
Sponsor: Historical Society of Dayton Valley

“Life at the Union Hotel: The Memoirs of Iva Gruber”
Katie and Glenn Hasbrouck present “Life at the Union Hotel: The Memoirs of Iva Gruber.” Iva lived at the Union Hotel in the 19th Century. This lecture is part of the Historical Society of Dayton Valley’s annual May Lecture series that is underway to recognize Nevada Historic Preservation month.
Where: Dayton Valley Community Center, 170 Pike Street, Dayton
When: May 2, at 7:30 p.m. ­­- a meet and greet begins at 7 p.m. with light refreshments
More information: Laura Tennant, 775-246-3256, L10ant38@gmail.com
Go here to learn more about the Union Hotel and renovations.
Cost/Admission: Free.
Sponsor: Historical Society of Dayton Valley

“The Nevada Women’s Project” Patti Bernard and Mona Reno
Founded in 1994, the group’s mission is "to provide visibility and support for the gathering and dissemination of history about the roles and contributions of Nevada women of every race, class, and ethnic background."
Where: Dayton Valley Community Center, 170 Pike Street, Dayton
When: May 9 at 7:30 p.m. ­­- a meet and greet begins at 7 p.m. with light refreshments
More information: Laura Tennant, 775-246-3256, L10ant38@gmail.com
Cost/Admission: Free.
Sponsor: Historical Society of Dayton Valley

“Dayton: Nevada’s First Chinatown” by Laura Tennant
Chinese workers were hired and brought to Dayton from San Francisco in 1857 to dig a four-mile water ditch from the Carson River to the prospectors at the mouth of Gold Canyon. They built a community and Dayton was known as Chinatown in 1859. Come learn about this important period in Dayton’s history.
Where: Dayton Valley Community Center, 170 Pike Street, Dayton
When: May 16 at 7:30 p.m. ­­- a meet and greet begins at 7 p.m. with light refreshments
More information: Laura Tennant, 775-246-3256, L10ant38@gmail.com
Cost/Admission: Free.
Sponsor: Historical Society of Dayton Valley

“The Carson & Colorado Railroad” by Dr. Linda Clements
“Dayton’s Place in the Carson & Colorado Railroad history.” The C&C RR served Dayton and spurred its economy from 1881 to 1934. What an era!
Where: Dayton Valley Community Center, 170 Pike Street, Dayton
When: May 23 at 7:30 p.m. ­­- a meet and greet begins at 7 p.m. with light refreshments
More information: Laura Tennant, (775) 246-3256, L10ant38@gmail.com
Cost/Admission: Free.
Sponsor: Historical Society of Dayton Valley

”Exploring the Dayton Cemetery” by Karen Howe
Fascinating: Some facts, its history and an overview of the souls that lie within its bounds. Karen has spent three years meticulously researching who is buried at the 1861 Dayton Cemetery and documented the people, their history and ancestors.
Where: Dayton Valley Community Center, 170 Pike Street, Dayton
When: May 30 at 7:30 p.m. ­­–– a meet and greet begins at 7 p.m. with light refreshments
More information: Laura Tennant, 775-246-3256, L10ant38@gmail.com
Cost/Admission: Free.
Sponsor: Historical Society of Dayton Valley

Washoe County
Lake Mansion Lives! Guided Tours
See, touch, and hear about Reno’s Lake Mansion’s history! Built in 1877, this stately building is closely tied to the City of Reno’s life story. Formerly located at the corner of S. Virginia and California Ave., the mansion was purchased by Myron C. Lake, the founder of Reno, in 1879.

After two moves, the mansion is an example of successful adaptive re-use. Now owned and operated by the non-profit organization, Arts for All Nevada, the mansion is used for art classes/camps, art exhibits, art festivals, and fundraisers. The facility is also available for the public to rent for special events and meetings. There are several family pieces on exhibit and period furnishings throughout the main floor.

Where: Lake Mansion, 250 Court St. at Arlington Ave., Reno
When: May 4, May 11, May 18, and May 25, (doors open at 11:45 am), tours start at noon
More information: Arts for All Staff, 775-826-6100, No. 2, info@artsforallnevada.org
Link: www.artsforallnevada.org
Cost/Admission: Free, although donations are always appreciated to help preserve and maintain the mansion.

Reno’s 150th Birthday at the Lake Mansion
It’s Reno’s 150th birthday at “Reno’s First Address,” the Lake Mansion! Reno was founded by Myron C. Lake who owned the historic Lake Mansion built in 1877. The mansion is now owned and operated by the non-profit organization, Arts for All Nevada.

The mansion has been moved twice (see a photo exhibit from both moves) and is now located at 250 Court St. at Arlington Ave and Flint St. The main floor is furnished with several family pieces and donated period furnishings. Enjoy birthday cake and lemonade – birthday candles will be lit at High Noon!

Festivities include Reno 150 themed art stations for all ages, free postcards of a painting depicting Lake’s Crossing in 1862, a free book for each child, a Myron Lake impersonator and Patty Cafferata, historian and author will be available to answer questions and to sign her many historical building books including Lake Mansion: Home to Reno’s Founding Families. A representative from the Historic Reno Preservation Society will be on hand with information about historic walking tours in May and June.
Where: Lake Mansion, 250 Court St. at Arlington Ave., Reno
When: May 9, 11 a.m. - 1 p.m., Guided tours at 11 a.m., 11:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
More information: Arts for All Staff, 775-826-6100, No. 2, info@artsforallnevada.org
Link: https://www.artsforallnevada.org
Cost/Admission: Free, although donations are always appreciated to help preserve and maintain the mansion.
Sponsor: Arts for All Nevada with support from the Union Pacific Foundation.

Historical Presentation: The Truckee River in Sparks
The Sparks Heritage Museum in conjunction with One Truckee River will be offering a free historical presentation about the Truckee River in Sparks. Join us for an interesting look into how the river has impacted the development and history of Sparks.

Topics include the use of the river by the Washoe and Northern Paiute peoples, Stone and Gates crossing, the town of Glendale, the historic floods of 1958 and 1997, and much more. The presentation will be led by Sparks Heritage Museum Board of Trustee Members, Dick Dreiling and Scott Carey.

Where: Sparks Heritage Museum, 814 Victorian Avenue. Sparks, NV 89531
When: May 26 at 1:00 p.m.
More information: Tandy Gach, 775-355-1144, info@sparksmuseum.org
Link: www.sparksmuseum.org
Cost/Admission: Free
Sponsor: Sparks Heritage Museum

Elko County
Archaeology Fair
This family-friendly event will feature archaeological exhibits, flint knapping and other demonstrations, a native plant foods display, hunting tools display, diorama exhibits and hands-on activities for kids.
Where: Northeastern Nevada Museum, 1515 Idaho Street, Elko, NV 89801
When: May 5.
More information: Donna Murphy, 775-738-6269, murphys@citlink.net
Link: http://elkoarchaeology.org, or http://museumelko.org
Cost: Admission: Free

Clark County
Archaeological Presentation: Earth Roasting Ovens on Mormon Mesa: An Expansive Winding Mariposa Lily Bulb Roasting Site at the Virgin-Muddy River Divide by James Kangas, Bureau of Reclamation.

In 2015, an archaeological survey conducted on Mormon Mesa (Mesa) near Overton, Nevada, discovered thousands of earth roasting ovens used to cook bulbs from the Winding Mariposa Lily that were harvested on the Mesa. Sites related to the harvesting and roasting of lily bulbs are found elsewhere in the southern deserts, but was not known to have occurred on the Mesa until the survey.

Such extensive harvesting and use of lily bulbs above Virgin Anasazi settlements in the adjacent Virgin and Muddy river basins has important implications for understanding the transition from wild to domesticated plant foods in the area. This lecture is part of the Southern Nevada Archaeological Speaker Series.

Where: Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas, 309 S. Valley View Blvd., Las Vegas
When: May 5, from 2-4 p.m.
More information: Sali Underwood, 702-822-8737, sunderwood@nevadaculture.org
Link: http://nvculture.org/nevadastatemuseumlasvegas/
Cost/Admission: Free with the price of admission to the Springs Preserve, Free for Museum and Springs members.
Sponsor: Southern Nevada Agency Partnership Cultural Resources Team

Morelli House Tours
In celebration of Nevada's Historic Preservation and Archaeological Awareness Month, the Junior League of Las Vegas is offering docent-led tours of the Morelli House, a classic example of mid-century modern residential architecture and the former home of the Sands Hotel Copa Showroom Orchestra Leader, Antonio Morelli.
Where: 861 East Bridger, Las Vegas
When: May 5. Public docent-led tours begin at 10:30a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 1:00 p.m.
More information: Junior League of Las Vegas Office, 702-822-6536, info@jllv.org
Link: morellihouse.org
Cost/Admission: $5.00 per person

Alan Hess Lecture: Can’t Stop Learning from Las Vegas
A half-century after three Yale professors famously brought their students west to learn from Las Vegas, the city remains an object of scholarly curiosity, ambivalence, and infatuation.

Architect and historian Alan Hess marks the 50th anniversary of the Learning from Las Vegas survey by reviewing what they learned in 1968, how Las Vegas has evolved, and why it is even more important today to the evolution of modern architecture and planning.

Where: Ne10 Studio, 1001 West Bonanza Road, Las Vegas, NV 89106
When: May 9, 6:00 p.m. reception and 7:00 p.m. lecture
More information: Derek Weis, 702-387-6366, dweis@neonmuseum.org
Link: http://www.neonmuseum.org/happenings
Cost/Admission: Free; registration required; https://bit.ly/2pYU9Pn
Sponsor: Presented by the Neon Museum and Nevada Preservation Foundation, and funded in part by a grant from the Nevada Arts Council, a state agency, and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.

Helldorado Days Parade
Annual parade celebrating Nevada’s western heritage since the 1930s.
Where: Downtown Las Vegas from Charleston north to Stewart Avenue on Fourth St.
When: Saturday, May 12. 10:00 a.m. start time
More information: Esther Reincke, 702-229-6672, ereincke@lasvegasnevada.gov
Cost/Admission: Free to watch and free to join.
Sponsor: Commission for the Las Vegas Centennial

An Introduction and Demonstration of How Stone Tools are Made
Stone tool use is the oldest form of technology used by humans. During this live demonstration, see and learn about the materials and processes that go into creating stone tools, and why this understanding is so important to archaeologists.
Where: Lost City Museum, 721 S. Moapa Valley Blvd., Overton, NV 89040
When: May 14 at 2:00 p.m.
More information: Mary Beth Timm, 702-397-2193 x26, mbtimm@nevadaculture.org
Link: http://nvculture.org/lostcitymuseum
Cost/Admission: Free for members or with paid admission
Sponsor: Southern Nevada Agency Partnership Cultural Resources Team.