Dear HRPS Members and Friends,
Next Wednesday our walking tour guides and other volunteers will gather to start planning our 2026 walking tours. We'll be looking at bringing back a few tours that haven't been done in a while, brainstorming about possible new tours, updating existing tours, and exploring ways to expand our schedule. If you have an interest in researching or conducting a walking tour, you're welcome to join us! The meeting is Wednesday, November 5, from 6-8pm, in the basement conference room at 1301 Cordone Ave.
We say goodbye to board member Brett Banks, whose second term ended yesterday. Brett has served two 3-year terms on the board and brought a wealth of knowledge far beyond her 31 years. She will continue posting stories on her Instagram page, conduct walking tours, and help with the Home Tour, so she'll still be an important part of our organization. Thank you, Brett, for your many contributions!
We welcome new Lifetime members, Cindy and Tom Ainsworth this month. Cindy is a charter member of HRPS and was our second president. She has been active in some capacity the entire 28 years of our existence and currently serves as chair of our Reno Heritage Fund grants committee. Thank you, Cindy and Tom!
Speaking of Heritage Fund grants, did you know HRPS has a fund to help homeowners make exterior improvements and repairs to their older homes? You can read more details here - RHF Grants. Matching grants of $1,000 - $5,000 can help homeowners with things like painting, window replacement, roofing, gutters, porch repairs and similar projects. If you're thinking of tackling some of these repairs next year, now is the time to start planning!
As leaves fall, days shorten, and thoughts turn to the upcoming holidays, I am reminded of the beauty of our community as brilliant pops of yellow, orange, and red turn ordinary neighborhood streets into picture worthy displays. I am grateful for our over 600 members who support our work with their annual dues, our 140+ Lifetime Members who have made an investment in our future, and another 500 of you who support us through your attendance at our programs and events.
We hope that your participation in HRPS gives you a greater appreciation of the people who helped build this community, the historic homes and buildings that reflect our shared history, and most of all, a vigilance against the apathy that can result in losing these treasured places.
I encourage you to look up as you walk and drive around town. Notice those old homes and buildings that are standing in plain sight down quiet streets and off the beaten path. Those buildings that have no notable names attached to them, are in neglected neighborhoods, or whose once bustling streets are now quiet and empty. Buildings like the Lear or the downtown railroad depot will always have their champions, but a row of late 19th century homes along east 6th Street could easily disappear tomorrow and few would notice. Let's be vigilant!
