local history

Visit the historic Sutro Tunnel site and see our progress! We are revitalizing and restoring the site and Tunnel daily. You are seeing history in the making and will be able to be a part of it by visiting the site.

Historian and Author David C. Antonucci has a new book, the Environmental History of Lake Tahoe. The story of Lake Tahoe is the story of people and the environment and their reciprocal influences. The environment shaped the lives of the early people of Tahoe, and later, people shaped the Tahoe environment.

Saturday, August 14, at 10:00 am, the Silver State Model T Ford Club will present “The Car That Changed the World” at the Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park.

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.

Local elections — where politics matters the most of all. While the race for president, and maybe certain races in the Senate and House, dominate the news, the fact is that all politics is local and that your local government is the one that affects your life the most. It’s local government that arranges for your basic services, such as water and sewer, trash, and all the utilities.

Nevada Humanities is pleased to announce the opening of the Nevada Humanities Major Project Grants that are part of their FY2021 Nevada Humanities Project Grants to Support Public Humanities Projects. These Major Project Grants have a public humanities project focus and will support larger-scale public humanities projects statewide that range from one month to one year to implement.

The 20th Annual Snowshoe Thompson Ski & Snowshoe Celebration returns once again to the Sierra on Saturday, March 7 at 9:00 am, at the Lake Tahoe Golf Course in South Lake Tahoe.

Snow or no snow, event activities begin with a guided tour starting at 9:30 am with Norwegian native and longboard ski expert Nina MacLeod, who will also give a longboard ski demonstration if sufficient snow is present. Attendees should bring their own snowshoes and cross country skis.

It is one thing to study history; it is another witness it. Visitors to the Nevada State Museum in Carson City this Tuesday, Feb. 4, will find themselves in history’s front row as the museum celebrates the 150th anniversary of the Carson City Mint. Just as it did 150 years earlier to the day, the Mint’s Coin Press No. 1 will be pressing silver coins, complete with the famous “CC” mint mark.

Did you make a New Year’s Resolution to learn more about our community and its cultural heritage? We hope you did, but if you didn’t, it’s never too late. Kick-off 2020 by visiting the Wungnema House in Mills Park, as well as the Foreman-Roberts House on North Carson Street. These houses represent 2 different aspects of our community’s cultural heritage. Both historic houses are open from 2 to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

Please help save Adele’s building in Carson City, Nev. There was great pride in our city when the Captain Porter’s House, now Adele’s, was first built. A quote from the newspaper is as follows:

The Carson City Historical Society has recently been thrust into the spotlight because of the proposed demolition of the 155-year old building once occupied by Café at Adele’s and preceding businesses through the years attracting hundreds of customers through those historic doors.

Nevada Humanities will hold a series of free informational grant meetings in Henderson, Las Vegas, Reno, and Elko in January 2020. These meetings are open to anyone interested in learning more about applying for project grant funding from Nevada Humanities.

Nevada Humanities offers grants of up to $5,000 to nonprofit organizations and government entities, such as libraries and schools, to fund public and educational programs in the humanities.

Chautauqua characters Snowshoe Thompson, Lillian Virgin and Anna Harris return to Genoa, Nev., on Saturday, Nov. 23 5 p.m., at the Genoa Town Hall.

This Chautauqua event features Genoa residents of the past. Chautauquans include Steve Hale as Snowshoe Thompson, the legendary “Mailman of the Sierra”, Kim Harris as Lillian Virgin, the originator of the Genoa Candy Dance and DebiLynn Smith as Anna Harris, early Genoa pioneer business owner.

On Saturday, Sept. 28, at 10 a.m., the final event of the 2019 Festival season features members of the 1962 graduating class of Douglas High School sharing their memories of Carson Valley in the 1950s and 1960s.

Carson Valley has always been a unique, close-knit community. Of the original thirty-five graduating students, twenty-one are still living, many of whom have remained in Carson Valley.

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.

The month of August begins with a presentation on “The Great State Embezzlement,” Mo’z Motley Blues in concert and a presentation on “The History of Baseball in Nevada” at the Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park.

On Sunday, August 4, at 10 a.m., Glen Whorton, President of the Nevada State Prison Preservation Society, returns to the park to speak on this year’s topic “The Great State Embezzlement.” This is a free event for all to attend.

Chautauquan Kim Harris will portray Lizzie A. Borden on Wednesday, July 10, at 6:30 p.m., and historian Mark McLaughlin will speak on “Lake Tahoe and the Comstock Era; Stories, Facts and Fun” on Saturday, July 13, at 10 a.m., at Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park.

The Old West Trio returns to the Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park this coming week in an evening concert, while two local musicians are featured at the park’s upcoming Neighbor Fair, an event highlighting Carson Valley’s non-profit organizations.

Good morning Carson City! It's going to be another beautiful day in the capital city, with highs of 78 and lows of 44. On the docket today we've got a canned food drive to help the Ron Wood Center, a volunteer day to restore the Mills Park train, a Mother's Day Plant Sale, and more! Check out the full calendar before.

Here's what we've got going on for Saturday:

The weekend is at our doorstep as we head into Friday, May 10, 2019. Even though forecasters say we may have showers this weekend, the cool spring rain won't dampen the fun. We have a bevy of activities lined up Friday including the opening of the Transcontinental Railroad exhibit at the Nevada State Railroad Museum, day 1 of the two-day Mother's Day Plant Sale hosted by The Greenhouse Project, RSVP's Spring Celebration and Carnival at Mills Park, a day hike, art showings, live music and more.

Join Carson City Parks, Recreation & Open Space from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, May 11 for a moderately difficult one-mile guided hike up Prison Hill to learn about local history and ecology. At the top, enjoy the view while Community Yogi leads beginner yoga! Please wear sturdy shoes for the hike, bring water, and bring a mat if possible. Meet us at the Dead Truck Canyon Trail head at Silver Saddle Ranch (2648 Carson River Road).

Chautauquan Cindy Southerland will portray “Annie H. Martin: The First Woman to Head a U.S. Treasury Facility, the Assay Office at Carson City” at the Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park on Wednesday, August 29 at 6:30 pm.

Ever wondered about that small stone house on east side of Mills Park, opposite Carson High School? It's the Wungnema House, and it was built by a family of skilled Hopi stonemasons.

“Hopi in Carson City?” you might well ask. Absolutely! Visit the house on Sunday and learn something about these Hopi stonemasons, their heritage, and and their continuing legacy.

Buffalo Bill’s Wild West returns to Dangberg Historic Park for a third year on Saturday, August 25 with festivities beginning at 2 p.m. This is the park’s final special event of the 2018 Dangberg Summer Festival, focused on raising funds to support the operation and future of the park.

Chautauquan Deke DiMarzo will portray Watchman Alex Coryell: Virginia City Police Department 1873 to 1891 at the Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park on Wednesday, Aug. 15 at 6:30 p.m.

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.

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.