General Membership Meeting and Election of Officers
Thursday, Jan. 7, 2021

On January 7, 2021, at 7:00 p.m. we will have Election of Officers Via Zoom. The Carson City Historical Society intends to maintain the current officers for the 2021 calendar year. Here is the proposed slate of officers:

• Jeff Loflin, President
• Sue Ballew, 1st Vice President
• Travis Legaske, 2nd Vice President
• David Bugli, Secretary
• Kiyoshi Nishikawa, Treasurer
• Andi Fant, Membership
• Kat Long, Exhibits
• Donna McLaren, Facilities

On January 11, 2021, at 3:45 p.m. there will be a Carson City Historical Society Board Meeting via Zoom. Members may attend as guests.

Please let us know if you are interested in attending either of these meetings via Zoom, and we will share the appropriate links with you.

More than a Ghost Town: Cultural Resource Management
in the Phantom City of Rhyolite, Nevada
Jonah Blustain Lecture on Rhyolite
Thursday, January 21, 2021

NOTE: A 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.

Jonah S. Blustain, BLM Assistant Field Manager, will present a lecture, "More than a Ghost Town: Cultural Resource Management in the Phantom City of Rhyolite, Nevada" on Thursday, January 21, 2021, at 7:30 p.m. 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. Rhyolite had running water, municipal utilities, three railroads, and a swimming pool. The boom ended as soon as it began, aided by the 1907 financial panic. With no viable mines, Rhyolite soon became a ghost town. Located on public land adjacent to the town of Beatty and the main entrance to Death Valley National Park, Rhyolite receives approximately 250,000 visitors per year. The Bureau of Land Management is tasked with managing the town's historical values and recreational opportunities for future generations. This lecture will cover some of the site's current management challenges, the solutions developed by the BLM, and the ways the public can get involved in preserving a unique, irreplaceable resource.

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).

Jonah Blustain earned a degree in Anthropology and Archaeology from Boston University before moving out west to Nevada. He received a master's degree in Anthropology from the University of Nevada, Reno, in which he developed an archaeological management plan for the remains of Nevada's Cold War-era uranium mining industry. Before moving into government service, he worked as a professional archaeologist contracting to Nevada's mining industry. As a mining archaeologist, Jonah worked on all aspects of mine permitting in contexts ranging from early Gold Rush prospecting camps to operating world-class mines. He 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.

Photo: The Cook Bank Building in Rhyolite. Photo credit: Tahoenathan

CCHS Presents Lecture: "The Cocktail and Alcohol Culture of Virginia City,"
Thursday, February 18, 2021

NOTE: A 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.

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

The lecture includes include 3 cocktail recipes and a bonus punch recipe, which can be downloaded prior to the lecture by clicking HERE. Attendees may wish to acquire the ingredients ahead of time and try their hand at making one or more of the drinks. Some of the more obscure ingredients, such as pineapple gum syrup, are available at Total Wine and other liquor stores.

The February 18 lecture is free and open to the public. For information about attending via Zoom, 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).

You can see Barmore's explorations of the earth sciences on his "Mineral Monday" series at https://www.unr.edu/mackay/keck-museum/mineral-monday. Barmore received his Master's Degree in Museology from the University of Washington and specializes in professionalizing small museums. Garrett is very interested in Nevada mining history and has worked as a historical archaeologist in Nevada.

Photo: Garrett Barmore in the Keck Museum

"Notable Women of Eagle Valley" Exhibits opening
Saturday, March 20, 2021

On Saturday, March 20, 2021, CCHS will have a new exhibit opening at the Roberts House Carriage House called "Notable Women of Eagle Valley." According to Acting President, Sue Ballew, "It is beautiful."

We will have a soft opening of the exhibit Saturday, March 20, from 1 to 3 p.m. and continue opening on each Saturday thereafter in the Carriage House. Attendees are asked to please wear a mask.

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 CCHS newsletter.

Planned Open House and "Notable Women" display cancelled for April 3rd
Posted: Wednesday, March 31, 2021

The Carson City Historical Society Open House and display of the "Notable Women of Eagle Valley" exhibit in the Carriage House has been cancelled for Saturday, April 3, 2021. The Society plans to resume opening of the exhibit on Saturdays beginning April 10. The exhibit contains information about eight remarkable women of the Eagle Valley (Carson City) area who made significant contributions to the Carson City area. Their stories are accompanied by portraits of them, created for the exhibit by five local artists.

"Notable Women of Eagle Valley" exhibit featured Saturday at
Carson City Historical Society's Carriage House
Saturday, May 1, 2021

The Carson City Historical Society will open the doors for their newest exhibit, "Notable Women of Eagle Valley," Saturday, May 1, 2021, from 1 to 3 p.m. in their Carriage House, 1207 North Carson Street, Carson City.

The Carriage House is directly behind the Foreman-Roberts House. The Exhibit is free and open to the public. Please wear a mask. If you have questions please email us at Carsoncityhistoricalsociety@gmail.com.

The exhibit contains information about eight remarkable women of the Eagle Valley (Carson City) area who made significant contributions to the Carson City area. Their stories are accompanied by portraits of them, created for the exhibit by five local artists.

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.

Catered Picnic and Chautauqua Coming
Sunday, June 27, 2021

The CCHS will be having a catered picnic Sunday, June 27, 2021, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Roberts House Park and Carriage House. Chatauquan Kim Harris will portray the beautiful Laura Fair, the first woman in California sentenced to hang for the murder of her lover.

Performing as a Chautauquan for over 10 years via her business, "Western History ALIVE!" Kim Harris regularly portrays several local and national historic figures which include Pony Express rider Warren Upson, stagecoach driver Charley Parkhurst, Genoa and Nevada suffragist Lillian Virgin Finnegan, frontierswoman Calamity Jane, and acquitted axe murderess Lizzie Borden. Unlike a character actor or actress simply reciting a script, Chautauquans are essentially historians who research their chosen character's life, write a monologue to perform the character, endlessly rehearse their presentation and then present the character to a live audience. All the while they stay in character until the very end when questions can be answered by the historians themselves.

Reservations opened June 1, and only 25 slots are available! For reservations, call Paula at (775)887-8865, or Noni at (908)415-4820. The picnic includes a box lunch from KFC in the park, water, the Chautauqua in the Carriage House, a tea cup plant sale, business meeting, and a 50/50 raffle.

Photograph of Kim Harris in costume, dressed as Libbie Custer, another of the famous individuals Ms. Harris portrays.

CW Presents Lecture on "The Strychnine Banjo"
Thursday, July 15, 2021

CW Bayer will present a lecture on Thursday, July 15, 2021, at 7:30 p.m. on Zoom. A history fundamental to understanding the gold rush, western culture and American music, in his talk, "The Strychnine Banjo," CW Bayer summarizes the long-lost story of the most important mining song written in the far West during the 19th century - "The Days of '49." Composed as a parody for a burlesque in Virginia City, Nevada, during 1868 by banjoist Charley Rhoades, "The Days of '49" became the anthem of the "pioneers" - the '49ers as they aged through the remainder of the 19th century. The talk is based on original research by CW and his book, The Strychnine Banjo. The talk provides a great opportunity to hear the outlines of the history and then discuss it with the author.

CW Bayer can sometimes be heard playing music locally with The Honky Tonk Bums. He has researched and written several books about Nevada history. These include: Dreaming Up Nevada Territory, the story of Major William Ormsby, The Strychnine Banjo, Charley Rhoades, Jake Wallace and The Days of 49, and Reno's Jazz Hysteria - cabaret and ballroom. His most recent history book is Flying Without Instruction. All can be found at nevadamusic.com.

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).

A Message from Sue Ballew, President,
Concerning Open House: Foreman Robers House and Carriage House
Media release: July 18, 2021

The beautiful gothic style Foreman-Roberts House, 1207 North Carson Street (yellow house), Carson City, Nevada, will be open to the public Sunday, July 25, 2021, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Docents will tell the story of the Roberts family and their connection to the seeress Eilley Bowers, how the house came to Carson City in 1874, facts about the family and the famous spiritualist of the home.

The Carriage House will also be open 1:00 to 3:00 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 these "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 optional.

Foreman-Roberts House Grand Reopening
Sunday, July 25, 2021

Carson City Historical Society will be having a Grand Reopening of the Foreman-Roberts House Museum on Sunday, July 25, 2021, from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. This is a free event. Our volunteers have been working on updating the displays in the Foreman-Roberts House since the fires in the building in August of 2016. This is your opportunity to get familiar with some of Carson City history. Details are pending.

This structure is a fine example of Gothic Revival architecture. In 1873 it was moved to Carson City. James Doane Roberts was co-owner of the Roberts and Corbett's Saloon (across the street from the V&T depot). Hattie was the granddaughter of Calvin Hale, founder of the Hale and Norcross mine in Virginia City. Hattie, a direct descendent of American patriot Nathan Hale, was a former employee of the State of Nevada. Thurman Roberts willed the property to the children of Nevada, and it became the property of Carson City (then Ormsby County). The Public Works Department planned to raze it to form a small park. The outcry of the citizenry brought about the creation of the Nevada Landmark's Society which enlisted the aid of the local citizens to save it. (On August 20, 2002, Nevada Landmarks became the Carson City Historical Society.) The City Council agreed to a year's extension to restore and stabilize the structure. A stone foundation was installed with the aid of anyone who was interested, including state prison inmates. Others turned out to paint and refurbish the house, with many thousands of hours of volunteer services and dollars expended.

CCHS to Host Artist Ronnie Rector during Open Studios Tour
Aug. 21 and 22, 2021

The Carson City Historical Society is hosting artist Ronnie Rector during the Third Annual Open Studios Tour on Saturday and Sunday, August 21 and 22, 2021. The CCHS Carriage house is one of 11 stops on the tour, which will be on-going from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. both days. The event is free, and information about the tour is available at https://jazzcarsoncity.com/arttour2021. The tour is part of the Jazz & Beyond Music & Art Festival (Aug. 13-29, 2021).

Ronnie Rector painted portraits for two of the "Women of Eagle Valley" women. The exhibit is still up in the Carriage House, and she will be there with her other paintings and will do a demonstration. Her "Strawberries & Mint" painting is shown here. The Carriage House will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. There will be music by Mylo McCormick from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. both days.

The Foreman-Roberts House will be open those two days from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. for tours. There is no cost for these events. Donations are accepted at the Foreman-Roberts House. COVID restrictions apply. Please wear a mask.

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.

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.

Lectures being planned for two dates
Thursday, Oct. 21, and Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021

The Carson City Historical Society's lecture series is planning lecture events in October and November. These events are presented over Zoom, and will eventually be posted on the historical society's YouTube channel (after post-production processing).

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. Lisa has done a lot of research into her notable family (see lanefamilyhistory.org/) and has done restoration work on the Donovan Mill in Silver City.

On Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021, at 7:30 p.m., Michelle Schmitter and an assistant or two will present a lecture on restoration work on antique windows. Note that this will be on the second Thursday of the month, rather than the usual third Thursday. There will be no lecture in December.

These lectures are 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).

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.

CCHS presents lecture/presentation on "Rehabilitating Historic Windows"
Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021

Carson City Historical Society (CCHS) is proud to host a lecture/presentation on "Rehabilitating Historic Windows" on Thursday, Nov. 11, 2021, at 7:30 p.m. via Zoom. Historic wood windows are valuable character-defining features of a building, worth retaining for architectural and environmental reasons. In the "Rehabilitating Historic Windows" presentation, professionals and Carson City Historic Resource Commission members Michelle Schmitter, Mike Drews, and Lou Ann 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.

Michelle Schmitter has over 25 years of experience in the field of Historic Preservation. Michelle meets and exceeds the National Park Service qualification standards for architectural historian, works within the Secretary of InteriorŐs Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties, and has extensive technical experience with multiple preservation, restoration, rehabilitation, and reconstruction projects.

Michael Drews is the Principal at Great Basin Consulting Group, LLC, a cultural resource firm specializing in cultural resource inventories, predictive models, and National Register evaluations. He has served on the Carson City Historic Resources Commission under appointment by the County Board of Supervisors since 1989 and is intimately familiar with preservation of the historic built environment, effectively promoting historic values, and the intricacies of implementing local and Federal grants.

Lou Ann Speulda-Drews grew up in Oregon's Willamette Valley and graduated with BS and MA degrees from Oregon State University, majoring in History and Anthropology/Archaeology. She also took classes at the University of OregonŐs School of Historic Preservation and Architecture. Lou Ann has been working for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) since 1995 and travels widely throughout the five western states and the Pacific as part of her regional responsibilities, focusing on historical archaeology and historic architecture. As part of her responsibilities for USFWS, Lou Ann has participated in the rehabilitation of buildings that included repairing original wood frame windows.

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).

Note: A PowerPoint handout for this lecture is available by clicking HERE.

Pictured: Michelle Schmitter, Mike Drews, and Lou Ann Speulda-Drews to discuss "Rehabilitating Historic Windows.

CCHS Plans Christmas Party at Bliss Mansion
Sunday, Dec. 5, 2021

The Carson City Historical Society sends you warmest holiday greetings and best wishes for a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year. Our Annual Party and 2021 Membership Meeting will be held on Sunday, December 5, 2021, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the Bliss Mansion, 608 Elizabeth St., Carson City. Food, drink, and musical entertainment will be provided. This will also be an opportunity to elect Society officials for 2022.

You are encouraged to wear something from the past that you can tell a story about. The price is $35.00 per member, payable by check or cash in advance to: Carson City Historical Society, 112 North Curry Street, Carson City, NV 89703

Lecture on Sutro Tunnel Restoration
Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022

We are concluding the year with having done ten presentations in our 2021 lecture series, all of them via Zoom. We will take a break in December and there will be no lecture. However, on Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022, at 7:30 p.m. we will resume our lecture series with a presentation on the Sutro Tunnel Restoration by Chris Pattison, Restoration Project Manager for the Sutro Tunnel Project.

Established by Adolph Sutro, the Sutro Tunnel Company represents a story of both perserverance and passion. Construction on the Sutro Tunnel in what is now Dayton, NV, commenced on October 19, 1869, and became one of the greatest engineering achievements in history with the creation of a 3.8-mile-long tunnel, with four air shafts, hand dug by men using only ore carts pulled by mules.

A dedicated visionary, Mr. Sutro committd to build a tunnel to drain and help ventilate the Comstock Mines, providing safer conditons and a town site for the workers there. A center of bustling operation, the Town of Sutro featured over 400 home and building during its prime. The goal of the projec is to restore the site as historically accurate as possible to thie prime-era and mae the site safe for vistors. The project website is TheSutroTunnel.org.

The lecture is free and open to the public. For information about attending, please send an email with "Sutro tunnel lecture" in the subject line 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).

December Board Meeting
Monday, Dec. 13, 2021

The December Board Meeting will be held on Monday, December 13, 2021, at 3:45 p.m. at the Carriage House. The meeting is open to members of the Society. Please comply with COVID guidelines and wear a mask.

January Board Meeting
Monday, January 10, 2022

The January Board Meeting will be held on Monday, January 10, 2022, at 3:45 p.m. at the Carriage House. The meeting is open to members of the Society. Please comply with COVID guidelines and wear a mask.

Lecture on Sutro Tunnel Restoration
Thursday, Jan. 20, 2022

Carson City Historical Society (CCHS) is proud to host a lecture/presentation on "The Sutro Tunnel and Its Restoration," on Thursday, January 20, 2022, at 7:30 p.m. via Zoom. The guest speaker is Chris Pattison, Project Manager of the Friends of Sutro Tunnel.

A dedicated visionary, Adolph Sutro came to Virginia City in the Utah Territory when he was 30 in the hopes of finding success. When he left, 20 years later, he had completed the tunnel that he had set out to build. He fought the big banks and won, he became the hero of working miners, built a town, brought attention from the entire world that benefited Nevada, and was a contributor to Nevada becoming a state. He was then and is still known as the king of the Comstock. His story is that of the Jewish experience in Nevada, one that teaches everyone that you can be a success even without a college education. He believed that through hard work you could become anything that you want. His motto was Labor Omnia Vincit; Labor Conquers All.

Established by Adolph Sutro, the Sutro Tunnel Company represents a story of both perseverance and passion. Construction on the Sutro Tunnel in what is now Dayton, NV, commenced on October 19, 1869, and became one of the greatest engineering achievements in history with the creation of a 3.8-mile-long tunnel, with four air shafts, hand dug by men using only ore carts pulled by mules.

Chris Pattison, a member of the CCHS Board, is the project manager of Friends of Sutro Tunnel, an organization that is working on restoring the Sutro Tunnel Site and the Sutro Tunnel itself for the benefit of all people. Once completed this location will bring revenue to the area as a focus for tourism and be an educational experience for students and adults. The goal of the project is to restore the site as historically accurate as possible to the prime-era and make the site safe for visitors. The project website is TheSutroTunnel.org.

The lecture is free and open to the public. For information about attending, please send an email with "Sutro tunnel lecture" in the subject line 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).

Welcome our newest legacy babies to the
Carson City Historical Society
Sunday, January 23, 2022

We would like to introduce Amelia, born November 20, 2021, to Travis and Shannon Legatzke. Amelia joins her older sister Olivia, born May 7, 2019, as the first two members of this newly created honorary status, which will be inaugurated with our version of a non-traditional baby shower at the Carriage House from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 23, 2022. You are invited to be part of this joyous get-together.

The celebration is a no-charge event with light refreshments but, if you wish, you have the opportunity to become an honorary Auntie or Uncle with a voluntary contribution to a future educational fund for the girls.

Travis is a valued Society board member who installed the Carriage House's acoustic ceiling tiles, security cameras, WiFi, and serves as the board's technical advisor. Shannon, Travis and their family live in one of the historic Two Sisters houses on the corner of Telegraph and Stewart Streets. Fittingly enough, the builder was also a father of two sisters, and he built an identical house for each girl when they married. If you have additional information about the houses, please share it with Travis and Shannon.

We hope to honor future new additions to families of the Carson City Historical Society with similar celebrations and request the support of our members. Welcome, Olivia and Amelia Legatzke, our first legacy babies!

The Carson City Historical Society is Open Sunday, Feb. 6
Sunday, Feb. 6, 2022

The Carson City Historical Society (CCHS) will be open from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Sunday, February 6, 2022, and plans to be open those same hours on Sundays through April 10. The Society is experimenting with being open again on a limited basis. The address of the Society's two yellow buildings, the Foreman-Roberts House Museum and the Carriage House, is 1207 North Carson St., Carson City. Click HERE for a map link. Parking is available on Corbett and Rice Streets.

Visitors should first report to the Carriage House, the yellow building with the double doors just east of the Foreman-Roberts House Museum. They may start their visit there, where they can see exhibits and parts of the permanent collection. From there, the museum docent can escort guests to the Foreman-Roberts House itself, where the guests can experience a bit of early Carson City life and ambiance. The Society's next exhibit, "If These Gowns Could Talk," is a work in progress, depicting the daily clothing of early Carson City residence and what day-to-day life was like.

Guests are asked to comply with COVID guidelines and wear a mask. Docents reserve the right to limit the number of visitors at any one time.

To contact the Society in advance, send an email to carsoncityhistoricalsociety@gmail.com or call 775-887-2174 for further instructions. Parking is available on Corbett and Rice Streets. For general information about the Historical Society, go to CCHistorical.org.

Also, CCHS is proud to host a lecture on "People of the Comstock," on Thursday, February 17, 2022, at 7:30 p.m. via Zoom. The guest speaker is Garrett Barmore, Curator of the W. M. Keck Earth Science and Mineral Engineering Museum. For information on receiving a link to the lecture, go to CCHistorical.org.

Photo: Looking east from N. Carson Street down Corbett St., the Carriage House is on the left, to the east, and the Foreman-Roberts House Museum is in the middle of the picture. (Picture courtesy of Google maps.)

The Carson City Historical Society is Open Sundays
January 16 through April 10, 2022

The Carson City Historical Society will be open from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. on Sundays from January 16 through April 10. We are experimenting with being open again on a limited basis. If you show up, first report to the Carriage House, the yellow building with the double doors just east of the Foreman-Roberts House Museum. You may start your visit there, where you can see exhibits and parts of our collection. From there, the docent can escort guests to the Foreman-Roberts House itself, where you can experience a bit of early Carson City life and ambiance.

Guest, please comply with COVID guidelines and wear a mask. We reserve the right to limit the number of visitors at any one time.

If you wish to contact us in advance, send an email to carsoncityhistoricalsociety@gmail.com. The two buildings are located at 1207 North Carson St., Carson City, NV. Click HERE for a map link. Parking is available on Corbett and Rice Streets.

Photo: Looking east from N. Carson Street down Corbett St., the Carriage House is on the left, to the east, and the Foreman-Roberts House Museum is in the middle of the picture. (Picture courtesy of Google maps.)

Carson City Historical Society Hosts "People of the Comstock"
Lecture with Garrett Barmore
Thursday, February 17, 2022

Carson City Historical Society (CCHS) is proud to host a lecture on "People of the Comstock," on Thursday, February 17, 2022, at 7:30 p.m. via Zoom. The guest speaker is Garrett Barmore, Curator of the W. M. Keck Earth Science and Mineral Engineering Museum.

Garrett Barmore will discuss the characteristics of Virginia City in the 1860s and 1870s, the diversity of its people, its institutions, and the culture. It was not all rough-and-tumble mining-camp culture. This is Mr. Barmore's second Zoom lecture for the Carson City Historical Society. Last February he presented a highly entertaining lecture/demonstration on "The Cocktail and Alcohol Culture of Virginia City."

Garrett Barmore is curator of the W. M. Keck Earth Science and Mineral Engineering Museum at the University of Nevada, Reno. He received his Master's Degree in Museology from the University of Washington and specializes in professionalizing small museums. Garrett is very interested in Nevada mining history and has worked as a historical archaeologist in Nevada. He is Past President of the Nevada Museums Assoc. I encouraged you to see his entertaining explorations of the earth sciences on his "Mineral Monday" video series on the UNR.edu website. Just search in Google or in Vimeo.com for "mineral monday" to discover episodes.

The lecture is free and open to the public. To sign up for the Garrett Barmore Zoom Lecture on "People of the Comstock" on Feb. 17, 2022, at 7:30 p.m., go to http://cchistorical.org/signup.htm, where there is a link to use to sign up. [Note: The form has been disabled now that the Zoom session is over.] You will be asked to fill out a Google Form with name, email address, phone number, and other questions. If your request is accepted, we will send you a link to the Zoom session within about 3 days. If you need to make special arrangements, send an email to DCBugli@aol.com with "Barmore People Lecture" in the subject line or call David Bugli at 775-883-4154.

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. 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 caption: Attached is a picture of Garrett Barmore, who will present the "People of the Comstock" lecture on Thursday, February 17.

March Board Meeting
Monday, March 14, 2022

The March Board Meeting will be held on Monday, March 14, 2022, at 2:45 p.m. at the Carriage House. The meeting is open to members of the Society.

Carson City Historical Society Hosts "The Once and Future Prison"
("The Future of the Nevada State Prison")
Lecture with Glen Whorton
Thursday, March 17, 2022

Carson City Historical Society (CCHS) is proud to host a lecture on "The Once and Future Prison," on Thursday, March 17, 2022, at 7:30 p.m. via Zoom. The guest speaker is Glen Whorton, past President of the Nevada State Prison Preservation Society (NSPPS).

Glen Whorton will talk about the history of the Nevada State Prison (NSP). It is not just the history of an old prison. It is the history of Nevada and the history of Carson City. This is a history that is exciting, scary, weird, sad, and funny. Whatever the story, it is engaging and interesting. The future of NSP will encompass tours, a museum, lectures, ghost hunts, movies, and most importantly, the preservation of this archaic lockup. The website for the NSPPS is http://nevadastateprison.org.

Glen Whorton has lived in Nevada since 1959. He was educated at schools in Sparks and the University of Nevada with an undergraduate degree in History. He is an Army combat veteran serving as a helicopter pilot in Vietnam. After the Army he became a correctional Officer Trainee at the Nevada State Prison and worked in the State's prisons for 32 years with two breaks for graduate school at the University of South Carolina, and a short retirement. He has served from the Prison's lowest rank to his final retirement as the Director of Corrections. After retirement he contracted as a Parole Hearing Representative for the Parole Board and Ombudsman for the Nevada Attorney's General Office. He is a past President of the Prison Preservation Society and is currently a Board member focused on the Prison's history and the Society's newsletter.

The lecture is free and open to the public. To sign up for the Glen Whorton's Zoom Lecture on "The Future of the Nevada State Prison" on March 17, 2022, at 7:30 p.m., go to http://cchistorical.org/signup.htm, where there is a link to use to sign up. You will be asked to fill out a Google Form with name, email address, phone number, and other questions. [Note: If the appropriate lecture is not listed on the sign-up page, you may need to refresh that page in your browser.] If your request is accepted, we will send you a link to the Zoom session within about 3 days. If you need to make special arrangements, send an email to DCBugli@aol.com with "Whorton Prison Lecture" in the subject line or call David Bugli at 775-883-4154.

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. 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 caption: Attached is a picture of Glen Whorton, who will present "The Once and Future Prison" ("The Future of the Nevada State Prison") on Thursday, March 17.

We Will Not Be Open on Mother's Day
Sunday, May 8, 2022

Happy Mother's Day! Somebody's children are are coming to visit on Sunday, Mother's Day (May 8), so we won't be opening the Foreman-Roberts House Museum. We are canceling just for this Sunday.

The Carson City Historical Society will resume being open from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. on Sundays starting May 15. If you show up, first report to the Carriage House, the yellow building with the double doors just east of the Foreman-Roberts House Museum. You may start your visit there, where you can see our "If These Gowns Could Talk" Exhibit and parts of our collection. From there, the docent can escort guests to the Foreman-Roberts House itself, where you can experience a bit of early Carson City life and ambiance.

Guest, please comply with COVID guidelines. We reserve the right to limit the number of visitors at any one time.

If you wish to contact us in advance, send an email to carsoncityhistoricalsociety@gmail.com. The two buildings are located at 1207 North Carson St., Carson City, NV. Click HERE for a map link. Parking is available on Corbett and Rice Streets.

Picture: Four of the dresses from our "If These Gowns Could Talk" Exhibit.