Ron James

Two families of rural Nevada business leaders, two longtime state officials who have helped save numerous historic treasures, and an organization dedicated to rescuing Nevada women from obscurity recently became the inaugural recipients of the Preserve Nevada Awards for contributions to historic preservation.

Nevada writers Ron and Susan James bring stories from their latest book “A Short History of Virginia City” to the Nevada State Museum, Carson City from 6:30 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22.

Engaging speakers and experts in the state’s heritage, the couple will share historic Nevada tales of mining and the Old West. Their book includes an illustrated walking tour describing more than 30 buildings and sites including the Comstock National Historic District, now designated a National Historic Landmark.

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.

In a recent “letter” published in CarsonNow.org Pamela Abercrombie decried the negative reaction of Silver City and Gold Hill residents to the Comstock Foundation’s fund-raising gambit offering prints of the “Nine Cheers for the Silver State” painting to subscribers. In characterizing critics of the painting as “this handful of local residents,” she echoes a favorite tactic of Corrado de Gasperis, Comstock Mining’s CEO who frequently diminishes the legitimate concerns of residents by portraying CMI critics as “a few disgruntled residents” or the like.

Recently, a few naysayers have written to local newspapers, criticizing the effort of the Comstock Foundation for History and Culture, a 501(c)(3) organization, to raise funds to preserve historic resources within the Comstock Mining District, a National Historic Landmark.

Renowned Dayton artist, Steven Saylor, has completed his painting “Nine Cheers for the Silver State,” featuring current governor Brian Sandoval, the two U.S. Senators from Nevada, and Mark Amodei, who represents the Northern Nevada congressional district.

The painting celebrates the 150th anniversary of Nevada statehood and will raise funds for the Comstock Foundation for History and Culture, a non-profit organization dedicated to the restoration and promotion of the Comstock Historic District, a National Historic Landmark.

The Comstock Foundation for History and Culture raised $15,003 for nine organization within the Comstock Historic District. The Comstock Foundation matched donations up to $1,000 for each organization.

The fundraising event was part of a commemoration of the restoration of the Upper Yellow Jacket hoist and ore chute in Gold Hill, the Foundation’s first substantial preservation project since organizing in June 2013. Work on the Upper Yellow Jacket hoist and ore chute cost roughly $100,000.

Virginia City’s St. Mary's Art and Retreat Center, the Gold Hill Hotel, and the Comstock Foundation for History and Culture will be co-hosting an event called “Turn up the Heat – Saving the Boiler at the Arts Center.” The event, held at the Gold Hill Hotel, will include a wine tasting and art auction. All proceeds will assist with the restoration of the 1875 historic building that houses the Center.

"Virginia City and its Archaeology: A Thirty Year Overview" will be presented Nov. 15 by State historic preservation officer Ron James. The presentation features a discussion, artifact viewing and signing of James' new book, "Virginia City: Secrets of a Western Past," published by University of Nebraska Press in conjunction with the Society of Historical Archaeology. The event runs from 6:30 - 8: pm at the Nevada State Museum. (775) 687-4810 x237.

One of Nevada’s most significant historic treasures is now the nation’s newest historic landmark with action today from the United States Department of the Interior. Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar listed the McKeen Motor Car at the Nevada State Railroad Museum in Carson City as a National Historic Landmark.

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar on Wednesday announced the designation of the Virginia and Truckee Railroad McKeen Motor Car #70 based in Carson City as one of 27 national historic landmarks.
Calling the McKeen Motor Car #70, Virginia & Truckee Railway Motor Car #22, "the best surviving example of the first commercially viable application of internal combustion power in a self-propelled railroad car" the designation possess exceptional value and quality in illustrating or interpreting the heritage of the United States, Salazar said.

The University of Nevada, Reno, in cooperation with the Nevada State Historic Preservation Office, has sent a team of archaeologists to excavate the site of one of Nevada’s most important early hospitals. St. Mary Louise Hospital in Virginia City opened in 1876 and served the mining community until the early 20th century.

The McKeen Motor Car, a railcar the Nevada State Railroad Museum in Carson City, has been recommended for listing by the National Historic Landmarks Committee, said commitee chairman Ron James."...