Lisa Jayne to present lecture on Maj. William Garrard
Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021

On Thursday, Oct. 21, 2021, at 7:30 p.m., Lisa Jayne will present a lecture on Maj. William Garrard, an early Carson City settler, an assistant to two Nevada Governors, a Warden of the state prison, and Superintendent of the Mint. He was also her great great great grandfather.

William Mountjoy Garrard was born in Goose Creek Salt Works, Kentucky, March 17, 1822, to Daniel Garrard and Lucinda Jane Toulmin Garrard. He was the grandson of Kentucky's second Governor, James Garrard. In 1846 he was a 25-year-old lawyer, and he enlisted in the US Infantry at a second lieutenant. He served under his brother in Company E 16th US Infantry in Cerralvo, Mexico. In 1849 the brothers emigrated to California, but his brother eventually returned to Kentucky to handle the family's salt works business.

By 1870 William and his family, including their 3 youngest children, were living in Virginia City. From 1875 to 1879 William Garrard served as the private secretary for his old friend, Lewis Bradley, during his term as the second governor of Nevada. He also served as private secretary for the fourth Governor, Jewett W. Adams, from 1883 to 1885.

Lisa Jayne has done considerable research into her notable family (see lanefamilyhistory.org) and has done restoration work on the Donovan Mill in Silver City. She also volunteered doing history research for the Nevada State Museum and UNR Special Collections Alf Doten Diaries project.

The lecture is free and open to the public. For information about attending, please send an email to Dcbugli@aol.com or contact David Bugli at 775-883-4154, and he will provide you with a meeting link (or a meeting ID with passcode).

Pictured: Maj. William Garrard and his great great great granddaughter, presenter Lisa Jayne.

Michelle Schmitter to present lecture on Rehabilitating Historic Windows
Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021

On Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021, at 7:30 p.m., Michelle Schmitter will lead a presentation on restoration work on antique windows.

Historic wood windows are valuable character-defining features of a building, worth retaining for architectural and environmental reasons. In the Rehabilitating Historic Windows presentation on November 11, preservation professionals and Carson City Historic Resource Commission members Michelle Schmitter, Mike Drew, and LouAnn Speulda-Drews, will explore the history and nomenclature of sash windows.

The audience will learn about the evolution of historic designs and construction methods. The presenters will review endemic problems that lead to deterioration and explore possible maintenance and repair techniques to extend sustainable service life. The presenters will consider the benefits for retaining, rather than replacing, historic wood windows. The audience can learn how maintained wooden windows with storms can surpass modern window application in energy efficiency, while maintaining the original character of an older home.

Mike Drews will demonstrate how to care for wooden windows and common problems that often lead homeowners towards replacement rather than repair.

Note that this lecture will be on the second Thursday of the month, rather than the usual third Thursday. There will be no lecture in December.

The lecture is free and open to the public. For information about attending, please send an email to Dcbugli@aol.com or contact David Bugli at 775-883-4154, and he will provide you with a meeting link (or a meeting ID with passcode).

Pictured: Two characteristic windows from the second story of the Adele's Restaurant which used to be on Carson St. in Carson City.

CCHS highlights Foreman-Roberts House at Sunday open house
Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021

The beautiful gothic style Foreman-Roberts House at 1207 North Carson Street, Carson City will be open to the public, Sunday, Sept. 26, from 1 to 3 p.m. Docents will tell the story of the Roberts family and their connection to Eilley Bowers, how the house came to Carson City in 1874, and facts about the famous spiritualist of the home.

The Carriage House, adjacent to the Foreman-Roberts House, will also be open 1 to 3 pm. The current exhibit is "Notable Women of Eagle Valley." Original portraits of women that tell highlights of their lives are on display. Noted local artists have used their talent to render images of "Notable" women.

Both the Foreman-Roberts House and the Carriage House will be open. The Open House is free and open to the public. Donations are accepted. Masks are required. Go here for more information.

Samantha Szesciorka presents Lecture on "Long Riding"
Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021

Carson City Historical Society is proud to host Samantha Szesciorka presenting a lecture on "Long Riding" on Zoom on Thursday, Sept. 16, 2021, at 7:30 p.m.

Samantha is the Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations at American Discovery Trail (Nevada State Coordinator); Assistant Curator at the Wilbur D. May Center; and a Long Rider at Nevada Discovery Ride. She is a former Army journalist and moved to Nevada in 2007. Samantha has been called Nevada's Trail Boss. She is passionate about Nevada and public lands, and loves to explore (with or without a horse). She serves as the State Coordinator for the American Discovery Trail - the nation's only coast-to-coast trail for hikers, bikers, and equestrians. Samantha is also a former equestrian magazine editor. She lives outside Reno with her herd of three horses, one dog, one cat, one pig, and a flock of chickens.

She fell in love with the wild horses and the Silver State. To encourage people to consider wild horse adoption, she set out on the first "Nevada Discovery Ride" several years ago. The public was able to follow her progress on her recent 550-mile ride from Las Vegas to Carson City on NevadaDiscoveryRide.com.

The latest adventure began on May 1, 2021, in fabulous Las Vegas! For nearly 45 days, the team trekked to Carson City along a 550+ miles route through the Mojave and Great Basin Deserts. The adventure took them through state parks, ghost towns, historic trails, and much more! The Nevada Discovery Ride promotes wild horse adoption, public land preservation, and Nevada! This year's ride also celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Wild and Free-Roaming Horses and Burro Act.

Samantha relies on her team to accomplish her long rides. Members of her team are her, her horse (Fremont, the newest member of the team), and canine member Juniper, an Idaho Shag (Bearded Collie mix). Juniper was born on a ranch in Idaho and joined the team at three months old. She started hitting the trail as a puppy, and now at 2 years old she loves riding and camping. Juniper also enjoys moving cows, chasing jackrabbits and coyotes, and guarding the ranch.

The lecture is free and open to the public. For information about attending, please send an email to Dcbugli@aol.com or contact David Bugli at 775-883-4154, and he will provide you with a meeting link (or a meeting ID with passcode).

Photo: Samantha and her Nevada Discovery Ride team.

August Newsletter is Available Online

The August CCHS Newsletter is available online. Perhaps you have already received it in your email inbox. If you are not on our email list, please email your request to be added to carsoncityhistoricalsociety@gmail.com.

To download the August Newsletter, please CLICK HERE.

Notable Women Exhibit
Saturday, June 5, 2021

The "Notable Women of Eagle Valley" Exhibit can be viewed in the Carriage House behind the Foreman-Roberts House on Saturday, June 5, 2021, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Admission is free.

Our exhibits chairperson Kat Long and Andrea Hobbs have been working on this display for many months along with many local artists. Each month one of the women in the exhibit will be featured in the newsletter. The exhibit is now open the first Saturday of each month until October from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Carriage House.

Robin Holabird's Lecture on "The Silver State on the Silver Screen"
(Video of the event is in production and will be posted on YouTube)
Original Presentation - Thursday, June 17, 2021

Robin Holabird will present a lecture on "The Silver State on the Silver Screen" on Thursday, June 17, 2021, at 7:30 p.m. on Zoom. Ms. Holabird is a well-known Nevada film critic.

Author, film expert and world traveler Robin Holabird writes regularly about films and their locations, with her weekly program airing on Reno's NPR affiliate KUNR at 88.7 FM every Friday. She also provides film commentary for KOH. Her newest book Around the World in 80 Movies, published by Ice Cube Press, shows the link between films and travel destinations. Her first book, Elvis, Marilyn and the Space Aliens, explores how movies and television programs affect Nevada's public image. Both books reflect Holabird's longtime experience as a film commissioner for the state of Nevada, where she worked with Clint Eastwood, Taylor Hackford, PT Anderson, and other directors on such projects as Love Ranch, Sister Act, and CSI. She honed writing skills with a degree in Journalism from Humboldt State University and reporting stints at KOLO, the Sparks Tribune and other media outlets. She earned certification and a Master's in Public Administration (MPA) from the University of Nevada-Reno. An outdoor enthusiast who loves photographing locations throughout the world, Robin is a regular hiker and runner who finished the Boston Marathon six times.

The lecture is free and open to the public. For information about attending, send an email to Dcbugli@aol.com or contact David Bugli at 775-883-4154 and he will provide you with a meeting link (or a meeting ID with passcode).

Photo: Robin Holabird, Nevada film critic and author

Bruce Roter to present lecture on "The Museum of Political Corruption"
(Video of the event is in production and will be posted on YouTube)
Original presentation - Thursday, May 20, 2021

The Carson City Historical Society (CCHS) presents its fifth free lecture of 2021. It's on "The Museum of Political Corruption" by Bruce Roter, Executive Director of The Museum of Political Corruption (MCP), on Thursday, May 20, 2021, at 7:30 p.m. via Zoom. The lecture is free and open to the public. For information about attending, send an email to Dcbugli@aol.com or contact David Bugli at 775-883-4154 and he will provide you with a meeting link (or a meeting ID with passcode).

Corruption has a long and colorful history, both nationally and in our own backyards. Bruce Roter's presentation will be somewhat like a tour describing how the subject will be presented at The Museum of Political Corruption in Albany, NY. The history of corruption will be discussed, both the villains and heroes (mostly the villains), but he will first explore the very notion of what corruption is. Is corruption always illegal, and what is the impact of corruption on society? At the conclusion of the evening's discussion, participants can look at ways we can all be involved in combating corruption.

Bruce Roter is an Albany, NY-based music professor and composer whose works have been performed by orchestras throughout the United States (including the Carson City Symphony). Roter's music is often inspired by themes of American history or social justice. In 2013, after a series of high-profile indictments of New York State political leaders, Roter found another creative outlet for civic engagement. He founded the Museum of Political Corruption, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization. The Museum has received national and international attention. It is the host of the annual Nellie Bly Award for Investigative Reporting, and in the summer of 2021, the MPC along with its Center for Ethical Governance is set to open a virtual museum covering a wide range of topics addressing corruption and government reform. The website for the museum is at http://www.museumofpoliticalcorruption.org.

After a hiatus of several years, the CCHS resumed a monthly lecture series in January 2021. Most lectures are presented on Zoom on the third Thursday of each month at 7:30 p.m. In addition to Mr. Roter's lecture, future lectures are scheduled, including those by historian and entertainer Chris Bayer on July 15 on "The Strychnine Banjo" and by Samantha Szesciorka on "Long Riding" on September 16 (see https://www.nevadadiscoveryride.com). Some past lectures are also available on the Carson City Historical Society's YouTube.com page. Additional information about the CCHS is available on its webpage, CCHistorical.org.

Photo: Bruce Roter to present Museum of Political Corruption lecture on May 20.

Steven Saylor Presents Lecture: "The Donovan Mill and the Comstock Foundation"
(Video of the event is in production and will be posted on YouTube)
Original presentation - Thursday, April 15, 2021

The Carson City Historical Society presents its fourth free lecture of 2021. It's on "The Donovan Mill and the Comstock Foundation" by Steven Saylor, Executive Director of the Comstock Foundation, on Thursday, April 15, 2021, at 7:30 p.m. via Zoom. The lecture is free and open to the public. For information about attending, contact David Bugli at 775-883-4154 or send an email to Dcbugli@aol.com and he will provide you with a meeting link (or a meeting ID with passcode).

The Donovan Mill in Silver City is a gold and silver stamp mill that was critical in the development of the cyanide method for processing ore. The Comstock Foundation acquired the mill in 2014 to save it from being sold, dismantled, and leveled. The mill is a significant landmark of Comstock history and is the largest historic stamp mill in the United States still standing. It represents an example of historical innovation and technology. Ultimately, the complex will serve as an interpretive center, with a fully operational blacksmith shop, operating stamp mill, and the restoration of two historic Merrill Crowe presses; only three Merrill Crowe milling machines are known to still exist in the nation. The interpretive center will provide the public access to these significant environs, and the demonstration of historic methods and practices, through visitation and educational programming, and through collaborations to maintain the informational link to past knowledge and practices. The restoration of the Donovan Mill will provide the Comstock Foundation with the first significant living historic environ and complete the preservation of one of the links in our historic landscape. The foundation has also engaged in restoration of the Upper Yellow Jacket Hoist, St. Mary's Art Center, Gold Hill Depot, the Fourth Ward School, the Dayton Consolidated Mine and Mill, Piper's Opera House, Comstock Fireman's Museum, the Crown Point Mill, and Sutro Tunnel Town site.

Mr. Saylor's lecture will include visuals of the Donovan Mill - both historical and before-and-after restoration work - and a nine-minute video tour of the Donovan Mill covering the process of ore processing from beginning to end. Information about the mill can be found at https://comstockfoundation.org/projects/donovan-mill.

Steven Saylor holds a B.F.A. & M.A. from Kent State University. He worked for advertising agencies in Akron, New York, and Reno, holding positions as Art Director and Television Director from 1968 to 1974. He has instructed illustration, design, oil painting, watercolor, and photography at Kent State University and for UNR at Western Nevada College (WNC). His work in academia includes the development of art and photography classes at WNC in 1974. In 1986, Steven was awarded instructor of the year at WNC (then called Western Nevada Community College). In 2017, Steven was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award from Kent State University. Currently he is an adjunct Professor teaching art at WNC.

Mr. Saylor has been Executive Director of the Comstock Foundation since January 2018, and has been successful in improving community outreach, membership, lecture series, special event production, volunteer engagement, donations, supporters, and more. Under his guidance the Comstock Foundation won the Northern Nevada Development Authority's Pioneer/Boundary Peak Award as best nonprofit in 2018. He is Second Vice President of the Nevada Museums Association, and was awarded Virginia City Businessperson of the Year 2020-2021 by national organization Alignable.

Upper photo: Historic photo of the Donovan Mill.
Lower photo: Steven Saylor to present Donovan Mill lecture April 15

Karen Dustman presents "Lessons From The Cemetery" Lecture
(Video of the event is in production and will be posted on YouTube)
Original Zoom Presentation - Thursday, March 18, 2021

There's something fascinating about old cemeteries. Who WERE these long-forgotten people? What were their lives like? What were their stories? And what clues can we find on these historic headstones? Author Karen Dustman shares tales and discoveries from her books on Genoa and Fredericksburg Cemeteries, for a fascinating look at the past! The lecture will be presented on Zoom on Thursday, March 18, 2021, at 7:30 p.m.

The lecture is free and open to the public. For information about attending, contact David Bugli at 775-883-4154 or send an email to Dcbugli@aol.com and he will provide you with a meeting link (or a meeting ID with passcode).

Karen Dustman is a multi-book author, and has penned hundreds of magazine articles on topics ranging from pet care to natural health. But her very favorite topic is local history. Karen's books include a history of Silver Mountain City, a 3-volume set on Genoa Cemetery, and a walking tour guide to Fredericksburg Cemetery. She also publishes a free monthly e-newsletter featuring Sierra history and other fascinating tales. For more information about Karen's publications, go to https://www.clairitage.com/about-clairitage-press.

CCHS Presents Lecture: "The Cocktail and Alcohol Culture of Virginia City,"
Lecture by Garrett Barmore
Now available on YouTube
Posted: March 5, 2021

Garrett Barmore, curator of the W. M. Keck Earth Science and Mineral Engineering Museum at the University of Nevada, Reno, presented an entertaining lecture, "The Cocktail and Alcohol Culture of Virginia City," on Thursday, February 18, 2021, at 7:30 p.m. via Zoom. He discussed the history of several alcoholic beverages and how they relate to daily life in Virginia City during the mining boom. Barmore, who demonstrated the making of these drinks, is an entertaining lecturer.

The lecture included include 3 cocktail recipes and a bonus punch recipe, which can be downloaded by clicking HERE.

The video of this lecture is now available on the Carson City Historical Society's YouTube channel: Click HERE for the channel and click on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewPEwcNVr5E to go directly to the video.

Photo: Garrett Barmore in the Keck Museum

More than a Ghost Town: Cultural Resource Management
in the Phantom City of Rhyolite, Nevada
Jonah Blustain Lecture on Rhyolite
Now available on YouTube
Posted: Feb. 4, 2021

On January 21, 2021, Jonah S. Blustain, BLM Assistant Field Manager, presented a lecture, "More than a Ghost Town: Cultural Resource Management in the Phantom City of Rhyolite, Nevada" on Thursday, January 21, 2021, via Zoom.

The ghost town of Rhyolite, Nevada, is one of the more challenging public resources to manage. The town was originally the site of a large gold strike in 1904. By 1907, the early tent city had become a veritable metropolis.

Jonah Blustain currently serves in the U. S. Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management, as the Assistant Field Manager for Non-Renewable Resources, Tonopah Field Office, in Tonopah, Nevada.

The video of this lecture is now available on the Carson City Historical Society's YouTube channel: Click HERE for the channel and click on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dc-P1L41ep4 to go directly to the video.