Living History

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.

Snowshoe Thompson, Julia Bulette and Mark Twain Together Again: What could possibly go wrong? Featuring Steve Hale as "Snowshoe Thompson" Kim Harris as "Julia Bulette" and McAvoy Layne as "Mark Twain" presenting history and comedy at Genoa Town Hall as you've not seen since the last time they were together!

Members of the Carson City Leisure Hour Club will learn of the loves and losses of Julia Bulette, renowned resident of Virginia City, at their dinner meeting on Wednesday, October 18.

Bulette’s murder began a manhunt that last over a year and resulted in the arrest, trial, and the April 24, 1869 execution of John Millian.

In what was the largest gathering of people in Nevada up to that time, 3,000 to 4,000 people were present at the hanging.

Enjoy these September days, it will be blustery and cold before we know it. Celebrate our neighbor to the east during their annual Dayton Valley Days street festival. Tour their museums, pan for gold, and enjoy samples at their Chili cook-off. Downtown Carson is a hotbed of fun tonight with two pub crawls and the Ghost Walk Haunted History Tour. Keep reading for all of the happenings.

SATURDAY:

The Pirates Are Coming! Pirate Invasion of the Carson Mall Saturday, September 16th, 11am - 5pm; Age of Discovery Productions presents A Pirate’s Life.

Captain Dogfish Briggins is a collector of all things colonial, Primitive, and Seaworthy. He has a private arsenal to make Pirate Lords green with envy, as he could outfit the whole crew. This Saturday at the Carson Mall, you can listen to the Captain’s tales, learn about the firearms, clothes and lifestyles of the era. Meet “Tova” the parrot, get your photo taken with her, and more, mateys!

In a one man show, Chris Bayer will portray both Major William Ormsby and Lucky Bill Thorington in “The Major and the Gambler” at Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park on Wednesday, August 9, at 6:30 pm.

Major William Mathew Ormsby was born in 1814 in Mercer County, Pennsylvania. Ormsby was a teamster, failed horse dealer, citizen at large, visionary and one of the most important figures in the founding of Nevada and its capitol, Carson City. He was killed in 1860 during the Pyramid Lake Paiute uprising.