April 2026

HRPS News & Updates

Dear HRPS Members,

Can you tell I love flowers and all things Spring? At no other time of the year is there so much in bloom all at once.

Spring is a busy time here at HRPS as well. Our 2026 Walking Tour schedule will be published soon, and members will be given a one-week head start to register before we announce the schedule to the general public. We have added a few new walks and expanded our schedule this year. Watch your email for the announcement!

Meanwhile, we have openings for Walking Tour Volunteers. Members who volunteer will get the $10 registration fee waived. See below to sign up.

In addition to our neighborhood walks, we will be hosting two special workshops during Artown on July 5. One is entitled "Houses with a History - Researching your Old House", and the other is entitled "The Character of Reno - A Conversation with the Authors". More on this in a future newsletter.

SAVE THE DATE - SEPTEMBER 26, 2026, for this year's Harvest of Homes Tour. Our Home Tour committee has already reached out to prospective homeowners, one of whom happens to also be our April program speaker, Linda Smith. Linda and husband Paul purchased the Hirsh Estate on Manzanita Lane in 2024 and immediately set about researching the home, making an interesting discovery about the architect. I hope you can attend her presentation April 12.

The old Reno Arch turns 100 in October (currently located on Lake Street), and we are collaborating with members of the Historical Resources Commission on how to best celebrate the occasion. A kickoff meeting is scheduled for next week. Email me if you'd like to participate.

On April 25, Our Story, Inc. celebrates 30 years of preserving the history of underrepresented communities in Northern Nevada. Alica Barber and I will host a booth for HRPS and Reno Historical, and there will be refreshments and other activities, including tours of the N. Nevada African American Firefighters Museum and a youth fun run. The public is welcome. Details below.

Reno City Council will hear an update on the Lear on April 8. Details here- City Council Update on Lear Community Engagement and Recommendations. The City is facing difficult financial and resource challenges, and priorities change. Without a public commitment to sustain the Lear, the City may feel compelled to consider issuing an RFP (request for proposal) from commercial developers. Public input matters. Please plan to attend the meeting in person or virtually, and submit your comments. The link above contains the information you need.

Debbie Hinman is researching a story about horse riding stables in old Reno and would be interested in talking to anyone who used to ride at Western Stables, Baker's Riding Stables, or Diefenderfer's Riding Stables in the 50s, 60's or 70's. Call or email - paris652@nvbell.net or 775-762-5864 (mobile).

We are very excited to introduce Margot Choltco as our newest HRPS board member. Margot brings a wealth of great skills and experience to the board. You can read about her background below. Welcome Margot!

Finally, a special thank you to the South Valleys Library staff for accommodating our March and April speaker programs after the Downtown Library was closed on weekends. We don't know yet what the options will be for Fall when our Sunday programs resume, but the reduction in hours is a loss to our community. Please support our libraries with your attendance, by telling the dedicated staff how much you appreciate their efforts, and if you are so inclined, let city council and county commissioners know how much value our libraries provide.

Happy Spring!

Joy Orlich, President

president@historicreno.org

775-544-0686

April Speaker Program

Caspar Ehmcke, from Munich to Manazanita Lane

Linda Smith

Sunday, April 12, 2026

Noon - 1:30pm

South Valleys Library

15650-A Wedge Parkway

HRPS programs are free and open to the public. Advance registration is requested to make sure we have enough seating. Thanks for your cooperation.

In this well-researched presentation, Linda will explore the imprint on Northern Nevada of renowned architect Caspar Ehmcke. Best known for his work in the 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s on high-end residences and luxury retail stores in the Los Angeles area, Caspar Ehmcke also designed a number of notable residences and commercial buildings in Reno and around Lake Tahoe.

Linda gained a love of historic architecture when she and her husband Paul moved into the second floor of an 1815 Federalist townhouse in Washington, D.C. In Honolulu, Hawaii in the early 1980s, they bought a residence built by Hawaii architect, Valdimer Ossipoff. They moved to Incline Village in 2012. In 2024 they bought the Hirsh Estate in Old Southwest Reno, designed by Ehmcke. Linda worked for presidents and Congressmen in Washington, D.C., and served as Director of Finance for the City of Honolulu and Policy Advisor to the Governor of Hawaii.

Volunteer for the 2026 Walking Tour

We still have plenty of volunteer slots for Registration, Caboose, and Equipment handlers. Members who volunteer get their $10 registration fee waived for that walk.

For a full list of dates, times, and locations, and to sign up, click here

Welcome New HRPS Board Member Margot Choltco

Margot is passionate about preserving local and regional historic buildings and cultural resources. As a teacher at Veteran's Elementary School, she is also passionate about learning and education. In addition to her teaching credentials, Margot holds a BA and MA in Anthropology with a minor in English and Visual Arts, including digital arts.

Margot has worked for Far Western Anthropological Research Group, Kautz Environmental Consultants, and was an artifact conservator at Texas A&M University. She served as the Historical Resources Commission MA in History appointment in 2014 and has volunteered with many other local community organizations. Margo is the mother of three children, ages 9, 19, and 20.

OUR STORY - CELEBRATING 30 YEARS

Saturday, April 25, 2026

Westbrook Community Center, 301 Kennedy Drive, Reno, NV 89506

10am - Kids Fun Run (ages 5-10 years)

11am - 3pm - Program and Festivities

Details: Our Story, Inc. 30th Celebration!

osi.ourstoryinc@gmail.com

NEVADA HISTORICAL SOCIETY EVENTS

Every month the Nevada Historical Society brings you great programs to enrich your understanding of local and Nevada history.

Nevada History: On the Go

1pm the first Saturday of the month at Sierra View Library, features speakers on interesting or little-known facets of history.

Writer's Wednesday

5:30pm on the second Wednesday of the month at the Knights of Pythias Hall, features research and writing on topics of historical interest.

High Noon with Neal Cobb (via Zoom)

Third Thursday of the month at Noon via Zoom. An online presentation and discussion with noted history buff, Neal Cobb

The Nevada Historical Society remains closed through the end of 2026, but their programs continue at offsite locations.

March 4 - Dr. Dana Bennett on

Nevada History: On The GO! – "Undismayed by Any Mere Man": The Accomplishments of Nevada's Female Lawmakers, 1919–1959 (Off-site, SVL) | Nevada Historical Society

Become a Member

CLICK HERE FOR FULL SCHEDULE

HOST YOUR NEXT EVENT IN AN HISTORICAL SETTING

From weddings and receptions to Paranormal Pajama Parties; Creative Writing to Art & Cocktails classes, historic St. Mary's Art Center in Virginia City provides a unique setting for your event.

St. Mary's Art Center | Virginia City, NV

FROM THE NATIONAL TRUST FOR HISTORIC PRESERVATION - LANGSTON HUGHES, MAGNIFICENT CEILINGS

Members might recall that Langston Hughes has a Reno connection

Langston Hughes in Reno – Alex Albright

When Langston Hughes Came to Town - Nevada Museum of Art

Watch: Tour Langston Hughes’ Home with Brent Leggs | National Trust for Historic Preservation

The first thing that everyone should do when they step inside a historic hotel is look up. It’s easy to treat a hotel as a way station, but these impressive historic sites are often an essential stop on your itinerary, with incredible architectural detail, wonderful atriums, and stained glass just waiting to be enjoyed.

9 Magnificent Ceilings and Domes from Historic Hotels of America | National Trust for Historic Preservation

Save the Date!

2026 HARVEST OF HOMES TOUR

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 10AM - 3PM

RENO HISTORICAL

Black Springs Volunteer Fire Dept.

Photo, courtesy of Our Story, Inc.

Black Springs Volunteer Fire House

This modest building was constructed in 1970 to serve the Black Springs Volunteer Fire Department, which was officially established as a nonprofit in 1961. A.C. Jones filed the incorporation papers. By the late 1960s, a station in the neighborhood was an absolute necessity. The Black Springs community had lost ten structures in ten years because the closest fire station was more than ten minutes away.

Join HRPS Today!

HRPS is "Dedicated to Preserving and Promoting Historic Resources in the Truckee Meadows through Education, Advocacy and Leadership". With over 700 members, your membership is a vote and a voice for historic preservation.

Do you have friends, neighbors, or family members who share an interest in local history? If so, forward a copy of this newsletter and encourage them to join HRPS! Or have them go to our website - Historic Reno Preservation Society - and click on the "Join Us" tab at the top of the page.

A single membership is just $35/year ($60 for a dual/family membership), and you can easily join and pay online.

Benefits of Membership