February 2026

HRPS News & Updates

Dear HRPS Members,

February Program WILL be at the Downtown Library

You may have heard that our Downtown Reno Library will be closing on weekends soon. This will affect our March and April speaker programs but not our February program. Sharon Honig-Bear's illuminating presentation on "Discovering Untold Stories about the Region's Food" on February 8, will be held at the Downtown Library as usual.

Oops!

A few of you found your membership renewal payments returned by the Post Office recently, after our P.O. Box renewal got lost and went unpaid. That has now been cleared up, and Membership Chair Deedee Pace has made sure all payments were posted and credit given for timely payment. If you have any questions, contact Peggy Boni - board@historicreno.org or DeedeePace at carterpace@yahoo.com.

New Lifetime Members

We are pleased to welcome Dave and Lois Bianchi as our newest Lifetime Members. Dave and Lois are longtime HRPS members and all-around community supporters. Welcome to our prestigious group of preservation champions!

Reno Heritage Fund Grant Program

Now is the time many people start thinking about home improvement tasks they intend to tackle in the coming year. If you own an older home and are thinking about paint, roof, window, or other exterior improvements/repairs, our Reno Heritage Fund grant program might be able to help! Scroll down for info.

Volunteers needed for new Powning District Survey

The City of Reno is planning a Community Survey of the Powning Conservation District. 4-6 HRPS volunteers are needed for a 12-hour commitment in April. Full details below.

Historic Preservation Awards Nomination Portal Now Open

The City of Reno Historical Resources Commission is now taking applications for their annual Historic Preservation Awards. Categories include Historic Buildings and Projects, which can be Residential, Non-Residential, Historic Landmark, or Historic Project. Other categories include Individual and Business. Links and more info below. Nominations are due by March 31.

The Lear

Thanks to those who were able to attend the January 10 Lear discussion session facilitated by Alicia Barber. Your presence makes a difference. If you haven't already, please consider subscribing to THE BARBER BRIEF, a weekly newsletter from Alicia that will keep you up to date on local developments that affect our downtown core and historic neighborhoods. There is no better way to stay informed!

In addition, the City of Reno has a dedicated website for updates specifically on the Lear that you can subscribe to for free. - Lear Theater | City of Reno

HRPS Book Club Has a Few Openings

The HRPS Book Club continues its monthly meetings on the third Wednesday of the month, reading books by Nevada authors, or with a Nevada theme. A few spots have opened up. If you're interested, contact Susan Mullen - susanmullen@live.com.

Wishing you a happy Valentine's Day!

Joy Orlich, President

president@historicreno.org

775-544-0686

Winter/Spring Speaker Programs

Sharon Honig-Bear is a freelance writer and photographer, and the restaurant critic for the Reno Gazette Journal for more than seven years. She is currently a contributing writer for edible Reno-Tahoe magazine.

A Taste for History: Discovering Untold Stories about the Region's Food

Sunday, February 8, 2026, Noon - 1:30pm

Downtown Reno Library Auditorium

301 South Center Street

This presentation is a visual history of local food and drink and the stories that surround them. Sharon brings her love of Reno history along with local restaurant lore, with colorful characters, one-of-a-kind eateries and stories that touch on the rich ethnic heritage of Reno's early years.

HRPS programs are free and open to the public. Please register to help Library staff with an expected headcount. As a reminder, street parking is free on Sundays.

Upcoming - NOTE, MARCH AND APRIL PROGRAMS WILL BE HELD AT THE SOUTH VALLEYS LIBRARY, 15650A Wedge Parkway, Reno, NV 89511

March 8 - Reno Women Ready To Celebrate Victory: The Battle for the Ballot in Reno, 1910-1914, with Dr. Dana Bennett

April 12 - Caspar Ehmcke: From Munich, Germany, to Manzanita Lane, Reno, with Linda Smith

Volunteers Needed for New Powning District Survey

The City of Reno is being awarded a Historic Preservation Fund Subgrant to support a Community Survey of the Powning Conservation District.

The grant will support consultant fees to write a historic context of the Powning Addition and provide technical assistance throughout the project. Volunteers will conduct the field survey.

Dr. Alicia Barber is teaching a class at UNR this spring about Preservation Planning and Survey. Her students and members of HRPS are invited to fill the volunteer opportunities for this survey project. If successful, this project will serve as a template for future survey efforts of historic Reno neighborhoods.

What is needed? 4-6 volunteers from HRPS.

What is the timeline? The project period is March 2 through June 30. Volunteers will be required to attend a 2-hour training session in March, and fieldwork will be conducted over multiple shifts (approximately 12 hours total) in April.

Shifts will likely occur between 8 am and 5 pm on weekdays to ensure the availability of City staff support.

What will volunteers do? Volunteers will work in teams of 2 to record details about properties in the conservation district as viewed from the public right-of-way.

Descriptions will be recorded in a software application called Survey123. Volunteers will use their personal devices to access this software, either by downloading an app or by using it in a browser.

Volunteers will walk the neighborhood and record properties within an assigned area. City staff will be available by phone/text to answer questions and provide support. The volunteer training will cover architectural styles likely to be found in the Powning area, architectural features, using Survey123 software, and documenting volunteer time to submit to the State Historic Preservation Office as part of the City’s grant obligation.

While anyone can volunteer, it will be helpful to have some familiarity with the National Register integrity considerations, architectural descriptions, and technological savvy. This is a great learning opportunity!

A little background on Powning's Addition - Powning’s Addition

For questions or to Volunteer - Contact Melissa Hafey, hafeym@reno.gov.

Historic Preservation Award Nominations Open

The City of Reno honors exceptional historic preservation efforts and projects, including historically relevant buildings and landmarks, adaptive re-use of historic buildings, individuals or groups that have made an impact on historic preservation in the City, and local businesses that contribute to the city's history, culture, and authentic identity.

Do you know a person or a place that deserves recognition? Consider submitting them for an award. Details, forms, criteria, as well as past award winners can be found here - Historic Preservation Awards | City of Reno

Reno Heritage Fund - Grants Available

Thinking about making exterior improvements to your historic home? Consider applying for a grant that will match up to 50% of your costs. Things like paint, roofing, gutters, windows, doors, porches, steps, are all potential candidates.

Details and application forms can be found here - RHF Grants

Join HRPS Today!

Join HRPS

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