March 2023

HRPS News & Updates

Dear HRPS Members,

Spring will eventually arrive, but in the meantime, we hope you'll settle in and enjoy this month's newsletter. If the cold weather has given you time to catch up on your reading, consider purchasing one of Michael Branch's books in advance of his talk on March 12, or start planning a trip to Filoli Gardens in the Bay Area. If you're already thinking about summer travel plans you might want to review the article identifying the oldest restaurant in each state. The story on historic love letters will make you smile.

We started spring housecleaning a little early at the HRPS office and as we organized back issues of our quarterly publication, FootPrints, we thought it would be fun to share some of those older issues with you as we celebrate 25 years of historic preservation in Reno. Below you'll find a link to Volume 1, Number 1, our first issue.

While dreaming about spring and warmer weather, you might also be thinking about repairs or renovations to your home. The Reno Heritage Fund may possibly be able to assist with some of the cost if your home is at least 50 years old. You can learn more about our grant program here.

Meanwhile, we are getting our 2023 Walking Tour schedule lined up and will have some great new walks and tour guides this year. If you're interested in volunteering, contact me at the e-mail address below.

Stay safe and warm!

Carol Coleman, Acting President

Historic Reno Preservation Society

board@hsitoricreno.org

775-849-3380

March Program

On the Trail of the Jackalope and Other Works

Michael Branch, Author

Sunday, March 12, 2023, Noon-1:30pm

Downtown Reno Library, 301 S. Center Street

(Free street parking on Sundays)

Local author and educator Michael Branch gives a lively presentation featuring his books, “Raising Wild: Dispatches from a Home in the Wilderness” and “On the Trail of the Jackalope.”

Michael P. Branch is a professor of literature and environment at the University of Nevada, Reno, where he teaches creative nonfiction, American literature, environmental studies, and film studies. An award-winning writer and humorist, Michael is a recipient of the Silver Pen award from the Nevada Writers Hall of Fame.

HRPS monthly programs are free and open to the public.

Nevada Historical Society and Washoe County Library present

High Noon with Neal Cobb

University Gateway District - A History & Update

by Debbie Hinman

Thursday, March 16, 2023, 12 Noon via Zoom

This program will introduce you to the earliest properties in the University Neighborhood. Hear about their long, colorful histories and the significant residents who made their homes in this charming community at the foot of the University Gates.

All but four of the homes were demolished in 2018 to make way for additional university buildings; with the exception of a parking garage, the remainder of the area is currently undeveloped dirt lots.

Program is free but advance registration is required.

Antique Firefighting Equipment Needs New Home

The Reno Fire Department has a history dating back to 1888 when the first professional fire department was established. Some of the vehicles used by the department, dating back to the turn of the century, are now facing a threat.

The Reno Fire Antique and Classic Apparatus Committee has at least seven classic firefighting vehicles, some of which date back to the early 1900s. Since the closure of the Reno Fire Museum, the members of the committee said the equipment has been shuffled from one warehouse to another.

The firefighters and volunteers who take care of these machines said they love the time and effort they have put into maintaining these vehicles. But, if they don’t find a new place to store them, they might need to sell some of them off. That risks never having them all be in the same place again. Antique Reno fire fighting equipment in need of a new home after massive rent increase (thisisreno.com)

Filoli Gardens and Antiques Roadshow

Last summer, PBS filmed three episodes of Antiques Roadshow at historic Filoli Gardens. The episodes first aired in early January 2023. You can watch them here. First opened to the public in 1975, it's worth the drive over the hill to Redwood City, CA to see some of the treasures inside the 1917 home of William Bowers Bourn II. Here is a preview: Antiques Roadshow: Take a Virtual Treasure Hunt Through the Filoli Collections | National Trust for Historic Preservation (savingplaces.org)

The Language of Love

Love is a tale as old as time. We asked our Historic Artists’ Homes and Studios (HAHS) program sites and our National Trust Historic Sites to share their most compelling love letters. From artists inspired by their partners to White House courtships, here are seven stories of love, connection, and creativity.

The Language of Love: 7 Stories of Connection at Historic Sites | National Trust for Historic Preservation (savingplaces.org)

The Oldest Restaurant in Every State

From Historic Tavern to Classic Diner

From Revolutionary War-era inns to classic diners, every restaurant has a story. The '76 House in Tappan, New York, was the site of key moments during the Revolutionary War. The White Horse Tavern in Rhode Island dates all the way back to 1673. Take a look at the oldest restaurants in each of the 50 states.

FootPrints - Volume 1, Number 1

Recently, Carol Coleman, Joy Orlich, and Jessica Johnson spent a morning organizing the HRPS office, including cataloging old issues of FootPrints, and rediscovered so much interesting material in these archives!

As we enter our 25th year as an organization we thought it would be fun to share some of our previous issues with you. The link to the first issue is below.

View the first edition of FootPrints.

Did you know - every issue of FootPrints is archived on the HRPS website. Thank you, Rosie Cevasco, our illustrious webmaster!

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