May 2026

HRPS News & Updates

Dear HRPS Members,

It's Walking Tour season, and our walking tours are filling up nicely. Our first tour - Bricks & Stones, led this year by veteran Bill Kolton - departs on Tuesday, May 12, 6pm, and there are still a few slots open. You can see a list of all walking tours with registration links here - Walking Tours. Tours are $10 for members and $20 for non-members. Walks are free for Supporting levels and above.

We also have openings for volunteers to help with our tours - registration/check-in, caboose, and equipment handler. Volunteers get their tour fee waived ($10 for members, $20 for non-members). Click this link for open slots.

If you have any difficulties with registering for walks please contact our administrator, Peggy Boni at board@historicreno.org or 559-799-8971, and if you ever need help with your membership, contact our Membership Chair Deedee Pace at carterpace@yahoo.com or 775-560-2591.

HRPS hosted a booth at the Our Story, Inc. 30th anniversary celebration last weekend in Black Springs. We shared table space with Alicia Barber, representing Reno Historical, and Sue Davis, President of the Nevada Women's History Project. We have a few photos below.

We were of course, all disappointed at the outcome of the April 8 Reno City Council meeting which ended without taking up any of the recommendations for the Lear project and instead resulted in a vague direction to pursue requests for proposals without any clear guidelines on what they are looking for. To keep informed on the Lear and other matters related to preservation and downtown development, I urge you to subscribe to the Barber Brief. It is a free weekly newsletter (but paid subscriptions are encouraged). Thanks to all who attended or submitted public comments to City Council for that meeting!

Joy Orlich, President

president@historicreno.org

775-544-0686

OUR STORY - CELEBRATING 30 YEARS

HRPS, Reno Historical, and the Nevada Women's History Project shared table space at last weekend's Our Story 30th anniversary celebration.

Our Story, Inc. is a non-profit organization that strives to seek out, collect, preserve and exhibit the contributions, heritage, and culture of people whose experiences are not well represented in Northern Nevada history. This non-profit organization provides opportunities and information for students, and scholars to study what is not normally offered in public or private school classrooms.

Congratulations to the members and supporters of Our Story, Inc. and the Black Springs Volunteer Fire Department Museum for promoting community awareness and dedication to preserving history!

Sue Davis, Alicia Barber

Retired General Ondra Berry presents a leadership award to Demitrice Dalton, widow of Kenny Dalton, who helped found Our Story, Inc. 30 years ago.

Vintage fire truck at the Our Story 30th Anniversary celebration.

Left to Right - Greg Black, President, Our Story, Inc., George Hardaway, unknown, Helen Townsell, Demitrice Dalton, Ondra Berry.

From the archives - Our Summer 2022 FootPrints edition featured new research and commentary on Black Springs from Alicia Barber.

NEVADA HISTORICAL SOCIETY EVENTS

Every month the Nevada Historical Society brings you great programs to enrich your understanding of local and Nevada history.

Nevada History: On the Go

1pm the first Saturday of the month at Sierra View Library, features speakers on interesting or little-known facets of history.

Writer's Wednesday

5:30pm on the second Wednesday of the month at the Knights of Pythias Hall, features research and writing on topics of historical interest.

High Noon with Neal Cobb (via Zoom)

Third Thursday of the month at Noon via Zoom. An online presentation and discussion with noted history buff, Neal Cobb

Become a Member

The Nevada Historical Society remains closed through the end of 2026, but their programs continue at offsite locations.

May 2 - David & Gayle Woodruff

Nevada History: On The GO! – Daring and Dangerous Donner Summit (Off-site, SVL) | Nevada Historical Society

May 13 - Writer's Wednesday

Writers' Wednesday - On The GO! - Bowers Mansion: The Legacy of a Comstock Family (Off-site, KOP) | Nevada Historical Society

CLICK HERE FOR FULL SCHEDULE

Save the Date!

2026 HARVEST OF HOMES TOUR

SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 10AM - 3PM

RENO HISTORICAL

First Baptist Church of Black Springs

Photo, courtesy of UNR Special Collections

First Baptist Church of Black Springs | Reno Historical

We're still piecing it together, but the story of the First Baptist Church appears to have begun in 1952, when three individuals sought support to establish a church and recreational center at Black Springs to service the African American soldiers stationed at nearby Stead Air Force Base. The three--Fleeter Turner, her partner Charles Settles, and J.S. (Joe) DuPree--appear to have been the first African Americans to purchase property from J.E. Sweatt, who sold them a parcel in September of 1952 for the exclusive purpose of building a church and minister's living quarters.

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