Dear HRPS Members,
Our final program of the September to May season just ended. Thanks to those who attended Karen Burns' May 7 presentation on the costumes of the famed "Hello Hollywood, Hello!" production which ran for 11 years at the (then) MGM Grand Hotel & Casino. We saw a small fraction of the costumes Karen has in storage, and they were grand. We applaud Karen for having the foresight to purchase these costumes when the show ended, and for preserving and showing them all these years. They are a part of Reno's history that has since disappeared.
May is also when we provide our annual report. HRPS conducted 17 walking tours last year, and held nine program meetings. We received a grant from the John Ben Snow Foundation to extend our research into the history of communities of color and to document them in the Reno Historical app.
Our membership is back up to 600 members and we continue to grow. We produced 12 monthly digital newsletters, four FootPrints quarterly publications with well researched articles, and initiated a Watch List of potentially endangered properties which we published in the Fall 2022 issue. (Speaking of the Watch List, see the short video about the Howell/Sinai House below.)
In February, we joined the Reno Sparks Chamber of Commerce. On May 11 we had a table at the Young Professionals Network's Nonprofit Night, and a table at the annual Historical Resources Commission's Awards Event. So we are back out in the community!
Two of our board members, Debbie Hinman and Bradley Carlson, sit on the City of Reno Historical Resources Commission, with Debbie serving as chair last year. Through their participation, HRPS gains valuable insight into matters coming before the HRC, and they in turn provide an important perspective through their extensive historical knowledge.
And finally, we just hired a new administrator to take over from Jessica Johnson, who left to take a development director position with Reno Little Theater. Please join us in welcoming Amy Burton. Amy has a deep interest in Reno history, and an extensive background as an educator. If you attend our walking tours, you may see Amy at the registration desk, or even leading one of the walks - Literary Reno - on June 3.
Our 2023 Walking Tour season began May 16, and registrations have been brisk. You are telling us you like the expanded schedule with 23 walks on the tour this year. If you haven't signed up yet, there is a link below.
We are hoping to do a Harvest of Homes tour this September, but are still looking for two more homes. If you would be willing to open your home for the tour, or you know someone who might, please e-mail me at board@historicreno.org.
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