January 2026

HRPS News & Updates

Dear HRPS Members,

As 2026 dawns, we have an opportunity to influence the future of the Lear building, poster child for Reno's ongoing saga over the issue of responsible development.

The City of Reno is hosting a community meeting to discuss the future of the Lear on Saturday, Jan. 10, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. You may attend in person at the Reno-Sparks Chamber of Commerce, 4065 S. Virginia St., or virtually, but will not be able to verbally participate. More information and registration links here. (You must register in advance as seating is limited.)

The two-hour meeting will review the Lear’s current condition, including the construction activities completed toward its use as a theater. Attendees will also see conceptual options with estimated costs to help the community envision the building’s future. The presentation will be led by Alicia Barber, Ph.D., along with City of Reno staff. I hope you can attend.

For historical context on the Lear, see below for a link to our 2021 FootPrints edition, in which we devoted almost the entire issue to the history of the Lear building and Riverside Drive.

For even broader context about urban development, see Mike Van Houten's recent article on Bright Spots, Dead Blocks below.

In other news, we have an exciting round of Sunday programs coming up, starting off on January 11 with Debbie Hinman's history of Reno Mail Service - a very timely topic!

We will soon begin finalizing our 2026 Walking Tours and be reaching out to those who have expressed an interest in having their homes on our 2026 Harvest of Homes Tour. We will also begin planning our contribution(s) for America 250 and how we might integrate that into Nevada250.

We have much to be thankful for this year - knowledgeable, engaged board members, dedicated volunteers who help with our events, more than 700 active members who support our work and act as cheerleaders and ambassadors for local historic preservation, and our part-time administrator, Peggy Boni, who strives to keep us all on track and running smoothly.

Many thanks to all of you and best wishes for a very Happy New Year.

Cheers!

Joy Orlich, President

president@historicreno.org

775-544-0686

View online - Winter 2021 edition of FootPrints

Editorial from Downtown Makeover

Bright Spots, Dead Blocks: A Deep Dive into Downtown Reno’s Uneven Comeback

by Mike Van Houten / Dec 11, 2025

So, to boast a little bit, Downtownmakeover has now been around 20 years. 20 years! I rarely do long form articles/posts, but with all the recent talk of downtown, both good and bad, and the many misconceptions about downtown lurking about, I figure it’s time to talk about the unique challenges downtown has. This is a great primer for those new to Reno wondering what the hell is up with downtown Reno, those who don’t understand the mechanics of downtown and simply resort to blaming local govt, and those who, like myself, have a genuine passion for downtown and urban living.

Winter/Spring 2026 Speaker Programs

Debbie Hinman is a native Nevadan, UNR graduate, Reno history expert, and chief researcher/writer for our quarterly FootPrints publication.

Reno's Mail Service: Early Days to Present Times - with Debbie Hinman

Sunday, January 11, 2026, Noon - 1:30pm

Downtown Reno Library Auditorium

Mail service may seem like a dull topic, but in the early days of Reno's history, mail service was our lifeline to the outside world. How that mail traveled, and the architecture of some of our post offices provides an interesting history lesson.

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

February 8 - A Taste for History: Discovering Untold Stories about the Regiion's Food, with Sharon Honig-Bear

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

New Dues Rates Effective January 1, 2026

Just a reminder that our new dues rates go into effect today. Anyone joining or renewing their membership from this point forward will see the new rates reflected on their invoice.

One much requested feature is the Auto-Renew option for Individual, Dual/Family, or Supporting level members. You can select that option when you renew, or log into your profile and change to that option at any time.

Membership Level	Cost	Walking Tour Pricing	Home Tour Pricing	Foot Prints	Monthly Newsletter
Individual	$35/year	$10/walk - 1 person	$40/ticket - 1 person	X	X
Individual - Auto-Renew	$35/year	$10/walk - 1 person	$40/ticket - 1 person	X	X
Dual/Family	$60/year	$10/walk - 2 people	$40/ticket - 2 people	X	X
Dual/Family - Auto-Renew	$60/year	$10/walk - 2 people	$40/ticket - 2 people	X	X
Supporting	$150/year	Free - 2 people	$40/ticket - 2 people	X	X
Supporting - Auto-Renew	$150/year	Free - 2 people	$40/ticket - 2 people	X	X
Business	$500/year	$10/walk - 1 person	$40/ticket - 1 person	X	X
Champion	$1000/year	Free - 2 people	Free - 2 people	X	X
Lifetime	$2500/One-Time	Free - 2 people	Free - 2 people	X	X

Questions? Difficulties?

Contact Membership Chair, Deedee Pace - carterpace@yahoo.com or HRPS president, Joy Orlich - president@historicreno.org

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