Dear HRPS Members,
Memorial Day is one way we keep our history alive by remembering those who died serving our country. Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings and participating in parades. Unofficially, it marks the beginning of the summer season. I hope you had a chance to gather with friends and family this past weekend, and enjoy the warm summer-like weather. This month we'll share a few preservation stories from around the country, tell you about Tony Shafton's new book, preview our Artown offerings, and spotlight one of the many stories on Reno Historical. In lieu of HRPS June Walking Tours, we offer a virtual program by Loren Jahn on the University Gateway home he rescued, plus programs from Bowers Mansion, Nevada Historical Society, and Sparks Heritage Museum
This past weekend also marks the 100th anniversary of the Tulsa Massacre. The story appeared in our local paper and we've provided a link in our "100 Years Ago" section. |
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Whether you read a book or an article, attend a program or go on a walking tour, you are developing an awareness of our past and becoming a better steward of our history. Thank you for being a HRPS member. Please continue raising awareness by sharing this newsletter with friends. Better yet, invite them to become members!
Sincerely,
Carol Coleman, President
Historic Reno Preservation Society
board@historicreno.org |
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HRPS June Program Tuesday, June 15, 2021, 5:30pm "A Piece of History Saved" |
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Artist / Preservationist Loren Jahn and Historian Neal Cobb tell the story of Loren’s move of the property at 821 N. Center Street in the UNR Gateway District, to its new location on Taylor Street near Nixon, during the COVID pandemic. This was the only property saved on the west side of N. Center between 8th and 9th Streets, as UNR began clearing the way for expansion. The property once belonged to poet Joanne de Longchamps who donated it to the University. For the last 15 years it had been the home of the Northern Nevada International Center and was a featured stop on the HRPS University walking tour. Tuesday, June 15, 2021, 5:30pm via Zoom Program is free but advance registration is required. |
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"Programs on the Porch" at Bowers Mansion |
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Head down to Bowers Mansion on Friday evening for an entertaining historical performance. June 4 - Meet President Roosevelt June 11 - Mountain Man Bob Burke June 18 - Cowboy Entertainer Tex Weir Bring a lawn chair or blanket and a picnic dinner and enjoy a night out with the family. Programs are free and no registration is required. |
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Bowers Mansion
4005 Old Hwy 395, Washoe Valley, NV
Arrive early and tour the Mansion.. The Mansion is open from 11am-4pm. Adults $9, Seniors $6, Children 6-17 $6. |
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Nevada Historical Society Presents High Noon with Neal Cobb |
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"Ballooning In and Around the Truckee Meadows", with Ramon Seelbach. Ramon Seelbach bought his new balloon in 1984 and flew it every year for the next 27 years. Most balloons last 6 to 8 years. This slide show covers all aspects of hot air ballooning including races, upkeep and maintenance. |
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Thursday, June 17, 12pm, via Zoom
Program is free but advance registration is required |
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Ramon Seelbach is a commercial hot air balloon pilot with more than 30 years’ experience. He is retired from active flying now but is still active in the ballooning community.
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Sparks Heritage Museum Presents The Rich Railroad History of Reno and Sparks |
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"The Rich Railroad History of Reno and Sparks" with Mr. Dick Dreiling. First called "Harriman" in honor of E.H. Harriman - President of the Southern Pacific Railroad, the city of Sparks was founded in 1904 as a result of actions taken by the Southern Pacific Railroad at that time, and named in honor of Nevada Governor John Sparks. Join us online for more Rich Railroad History of Reno and Sparks! Saturday, June 26, 2pm, via Zoom Program is free but advance registration is required |
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Our June Reading Suggestion |
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This is the fifth book by Reno author and independent scholar, Anthony Shafton. |
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A Nevada Life is the biography of artist Richard Guy Walton, Nevada's "Grand Old Man" of abstract art. Less well known is that Walton the gifted painter was also a prolific author of nonfiction and autobiographical novels.
Born in San Francisco when there were still horses in the streets, and raised in the Central Valley, in 1929 at age fifteen he "entered Reno," as he related in his first novel, "got off the train, and was never quite the same." This eccentric and brilliant man was shaped by and helped shape Nevada's cultural history during Reno's heyday and Virginia City's epoch as a bohemian mecca. A Nevada Life surveys Walton's artworks and writings as it follows the life of this colorful original. The narrative reveals new angles on such icons of Reno's past as Walter Van Tilburg Clark, Robert Caples, Robert Laxalt and the daughters of Judge George Bartlett. Through Walton's first marriage the reader hears the intimate story of a Basque institution, the Etcheberrys' Santa Fe Hotel, and experiences life in a Basque sheep camp. Walton's sojourns in Hollywood bring in composer Bernard Herrmann, writer Norman Corwin, director Alfred Hitchcock and more.
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Reno History at your Fingertips |
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Story by Alicia Barber with research support from RTC Washoe
If you like this story, download the Reno Historical app or go to the Reno Historical website for dozens of other old Reno mini-history lessons.
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The Reno Pet Food Market opened at 745 South Virginia Street in the midst of the Second World War, as grain and meat rationing strained production for many pet food manufacturers. In response, the entrepreneurial Combs family cooked up a special vitamin loaf for cats and dogs from a recipe featuring wild horse meat, powdered milk, ground carrots, soy bean and corn meals, all cooked onsite in a giant steam pressure cooker. The full-service market also offered fresh cuts of meat, pet care products and accessories, free delivery, and even a drive-through window. |
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July in Reno is Artown, and HRPS will be participating with virtual presentations of Neighborhood Stories. The Stories will include some of your favorite Walking Tours, plus new entries that we hope will interest and delight you. We’ll be offering these presentations Tuesdays at 6:00 pm, Thursdays at 6:00 pm and Saturdays at 9:00 am. Links will be available on the website at historicreno.org, and in the July newsletter.
Neighborhood Stories (listed alphabetically) for July 2021: A Story of Brick / Bricks & Stones / Circle Drive/Southridge / Downtown Sparks / Hillside Cemetery / Lake Tahoe Architecture / Meat Packing District / Movie Footprints / Powning's Addition / History of Reno Schools / Reno's Historic Kitchens / The U.P. House / Truckee River Watershed / UNR Historic District / Westfield Village
Last year’s presentations are available for your enjoyment on https://historicreno.org/archives/Stories |
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Three Historic Homes tell the History of Blues and Jazz in America |
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Jazz is shaped by its improvisation, and when musicians fall into the style and let the performance move them, the music becomes ever more dynamic—a living experience that moves the listener too. Through the hands of musical geniuses such as John Coltrane, Nina Simone, and blues musician Muddy Waters—whose work helped to influence what was to come—music became transformative. Through support from the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, three historic sites show the breadth of that legacy and continue to inspire today. Read about these inspiring renovations. |
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Chandra Cooper, Muddy Waters' great-granddaughter and president of the Muddy Waters Mojo Museum, stands inside the museum. (photo - Edward Torrez/Bauer Latoza Studio) |
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Three Asian Americans Who Shaped Filoli |
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Filoli, a National Trust Historic Site, is an historic house, garden, and nature preserve located south of San Francisco. Over the course of its 100-year history, two families—the Bourns and the Roths—owned the estate, but they represent only one dimension of the story.
This spring, Filoli highlights three Asian Americans who helped build the Filoli community and steward the estate: a beloved chef who worked for the Roths, a floriculturist who transformed the garden’s textures, and a famed landscape architect instrumental in preserving Filoli for the public.
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Tulips bloom in Filoli's 16-acre formal Garden each spring. |
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Backing Historic Small Restaurants |
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Planning any road trips? Sweetheart Cafe and Tea in Oakland, CA, one of the restaurants to receive funding, could be one of your stops!. |
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Together with American Express, the National Trust for Historic Preservation launched the Backing Historic Small Restaurants Grant Program, a national search for the cozy cafes, delicious dives, and other beloved restaurants that have stood the test of time and served their communities for decades—but now are facing their biggest challenge yet from the COVID-19 pandemic. "Our mission was to award $1+ million in grants to 25 historic and culturally significant restaurants throughout the United States to help them improve, upgrade, and preserve their exterior physical spaces and online businesses." The program had a preference for restaurants owned by underrepresented groups, including People of Color and women, disproportionally impacted by the pandemic. The grants will be administered by the National Trust. |
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This past week marked the 100th anniversary of the "Tulsa Massacre", an event that had been obliterated from the history books until recently. That tragic event was covered in detail in the June 2, 1921 edition of the Nevada State Journal: https://www.newspapers.com/clip/78655044/ |
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Do you know a long time resident who might enjoy knowing more about Reno's history? How about a newer resident who might appreciate a little background on their new home town? If so, forward a copy of this newsletter and encourage them to join HRPS! A single membership is just $25/year ($45 for a family membership) and you can now join and pay online! Members enjoy monthly newsletters, our information-packed quarterly FootPrints magazine, free admission to walking tours and certain other HRPS events, plus the knowledge you are helping support historic preservation in Reno! |
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Do you like what HRPS does? Do you think preserving Reno's history is important? Consider making a donation for the Reno Heritage Fund, which helps owners make improvements to their older homes. More information on the Heritage Fund can be found on our website.
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Historic Reno Preservation Society is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting historic resources in the Truckee Meadows through education, advocacy, and leadership. |
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Historic Reno Preservation Society | P.O. Box 14003, Reno, NV 89507 board@historicreno.org | 775-747-4478
Virginia Street Bridge photos courtesy of Nevada Historical Society
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