Living History

Various exhibits and demonstrations will be happening in and around Bowers Mansion between the hours of 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19. A mansion history talk will take place at the top of each hour and self-guided tours will be available for $8 adults and $6 children and seniors.

Local Chautauquan DebiLynn Smith will give a performance as Eliza Buckland – a founder of Buckland Station, a Pony Express stop near Fort Churchill, Nevada, at Dangberg Historic Park.

The celebration of the 150th Anniversary of Chautauqua at Dangberg Historic Park continues by celebrating Wednesday night Chautauquas with the theme: "Follow Us on an Adventure!" All Wednesday evening Chautauquans have an adventurous tale to share with their audience.

A concert by The Sierra Sweethearts, a Chautauqua of Laura D. Fair, and local author Gregory Crouch are featured as part of the Dangberg Summer Festival in June.

You are invited to join Mrs. Eilley Bowers at Bowers Mansion for the Spring Living History Day. The mansion will be open to visitors for self guided tours featuring local living interpreters who will be sharing demonstrations of life during the 19th century. Also featured will be a historical talk about the mansion at the top of the hour.

The Historic Fourth Ward School Museum in historic Virginia City is pleased to announce the much-anticipated third annual Victorian Tea Party and Historic Fashion Show, scheduled for Mother’s Day weekend on Saturday, May 11, 2024.

A Chautauqua of journalist, Nellie Mighels Davis, and a Chautauqua of Home Ranch matriarch, Gertrude Hironymous Dangberg, end the 2023 summer event season at Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park.

Chautauquas of One-eyed Charley Parkhurst, James Reed, and Alice Walker Hays, along with a jazz concert by First Take featuring Rick Metz, and a presentation by author Paul Franklin, finish out July events during the 2023 Summer Festival at Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park.

Celebrate the splendor of the Victorian Era at the Fourth Ward School Museum in historic Virginia City, Nevada this Mother’s Day Weekend.

On Saturday, May 13, indulge in the resplendent ritual of afternoon tea in an authentic Victorian-Era environment.

At precisely 5:12 am on Wednesday, April 18,1906, the world literally fell away from Eliza Eppinger’s feet. What is now referred to as the “Great Earthquake and Fire of San Francisco” would prove to be salvation for Eliza and her husband Jacob. However, Eliza’s story begins not in the city that the Comstock built, but as a woman from Pennsylvania, who through happenstance owned a hotel in Silver Mountain City, Alpine County, CA, often referred to as “Comstock South."

At precisely 5:12 am on Wednesday, April 18,1906, the world literally fell away from Eliza Eppinger’s feet. What is now referred to as the “Great Earthquake and Fire of San Francisco” would prove to be salvation for Eliza and her husband Jacob. However, Eliza’s story begins not in the city that the Comstock built, but as a woman from Pennsylvania, who through happenstance owned a hotel in Silver Mountain City, Alpine County, Calif, often referred to as “Comstock South."

John “Snowshoe” Thompson, carried the mail across the Sierra during winter snows for 20 years. He would carry 80 pounds of mail over the 180-mile round trip in just 5 days. He hand crafted his own snow skates, and would carry nothing more than a jacket, dried meat and matches. Thompson was a larger than life character, saving numerous lives, serving his community unwaveringly and devoted his life to the betterment of all.

A Chautauqua of Eleanor Roosevelt and a concert by returning favorites, Old West Trio, launch the 2022 Summer Festival at the Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park in June.

Join us for a day of fun celebrating the history of Nevada and one of it's historic homes. A mansion history talk will take place at the top of each hour given by the Mansions Curator. Self-guided tours will allow you to share in the various exhibits and living history demonstrations inside the mansion.

Join us Saturday October 23 for a Living History Day at Bower's Mansion. There will be self guided tours with a mansion history talk taking place at the top of each hour. In addition, there will be various demonstrations throughout the rooms of the mansion. Mrs. Eilley Bowers will also be "in residence" if you'd like a chance to meet her!

Wednesday, August 25, at 6:30 pm, Chautauquan Doug Mishler will portray Nikola Tesla at the Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park.

Best known for his contributions to the design of the modern alternating current (AC) electricity supply system, Nikola Tesla was an inventor, electrical engineer, mechanical engineer and futurist.

August events open with a Chautauqua of Calamity Jane and a presentation on Tales Along El Camino Sierra at the Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park.

In July, events continue with a Chautauqua presentation of George Whittle Jr. and a presentation on Dominque Laxalt at the Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park.

On Wednesday, July 21, at 6:30 pm, Steve Hale will present “George Whittell, Jr.: Eccentric playboy, accidental conservationist and owner of Thunderbird Lodge on Lake Tahoe’s east shore.”

In July, events begin with a presentation on the “Mountains and Peaks of Carson Valley” and a Chautauqua presentation of Caleb Greenwood at the Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park.

On Saturday, July 10, at 10:00 am, Allen Biaggi will give a presentation on the real names of the mountains surrounding Carson Valley. Biaggi will also speak on when they were formed and how they impact the perception of those who live in and visit Carson Valley.

Chautauqua 101, a course on presenting living history in first-person, will be held on Sunday, July 11, 2021 from 10 am until 2 pm at Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park. Pre-registration is required.

Nevada’s open roads are beckoning travelers who have been home-bound since mid-March. At a time when 18 states currently won’t accept Nevadans unless they quarantine for two weeks, it’s tempting to hop in the family car and explore Nevada history and nature giving you the opportunity to escape the tedium caused by the pandemic and to temper your wanderlust.

The final Chautauqua of the 2019 Festival season will portray Hiram D. Scott, Alpine County, California pioneer, on Sunday, September 22, at 10:00 am.

Hiram Daniel Scott was a ship builder from Pittston, Maine by trade. Initially he settled in Santa Cruz, California in 1847, then followed the Gold Rush when gold was discovered at Sutter's Mill. There he operated a ferry business across the San Joaquin River.

August closes with a Chautauqua presentation “Sisters of the Sage” which will highlight the lives of Annie H. Martin, Lillian V. Finnegan and Anna N. Harris at the Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park on Wednesday, August 28, at 6:30 p.m.

For the Virginia & Truckee Railroad, the story of its future as part of Nevada’s living history will be guided by its illustrious 150-year past.

The famed horseback ride across the West that briefly delivered pre-Civil war mail and covered terrain that spanned nearly 2,000 miles will arrive in Western Nevada and Lake Tahoe with stops Wednesday in Silver Springs, Carson City, Genoa and Stateline.

A record-breaking winter, a full lake and a packed calendar beckons visitors to the Sierra as Tahoe South heats up with summer events including its famed fireworks show, a celebrity golf tournament, star-studded headline concerts and more.

Chautauquan and noted local historian Michael Fischer will portray “Heinrich Friedrich Dangberg, Sr.” in a free presentation at the Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park on Saturday, August 4, at 10 a.m.

Chautauquan Doug Mishler will portray circus showman P.T. Barnum at the Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park on Wednesday, July 11 at 6:30 p.m.

Nevada Humanities is pleased to announce that 27 grants totaling over $104,500 were awarded to fund humanities programs across Nevada, including four in Carson City area.

Young Chautauquans of the Douglas County Historical Society will present “Home Means Nevada” at the Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park on Wednesday, June 27, at 6:30 p.m.