October 2024

HRPS News & Updates

Dear HRPS Members and Friends,

Weather was indeed perfect for our 12th annual Harvest of Homes Tour. Over 500 people attended, and though the final tally isn't in yet, we think we will net close to $15,000. This helps fund operations and our Reno Heritage Fund grant program. Thank you!

I am also delighted to report we added two new Lifetime Members in September, one from HRPS past-president, notable author, and historic preservation proponent, Patty Cafferata, and the other in memory of Karl Breckenridge. The donor wishes to remain anonymous but sent this tribute:

Karl Breckenridge loved Reno and her history. He was a writer of unbridled talent who, through his words, created clear visions of times past. His mostly weekly column in the RGJ gave newcomers to the area a taste of what it was like living in Reno when the town was small enough to wrap one’s arms around. Longtime residents read Karl’s columns and reminisced about the old neighborhoods, thanks to his “walks” along the streets of Reno and Sparks, describing the area’s buildings, former businesses, and the people one would encounter there.

Karl was a proud father and grandfather, and a loyal friend.

Two other longtime HRPS members received excellence in journalism awards recently - Sharon Honig-Bear and Frank Mullen. Congratulations!

And speaking of awards, we just received word that HRPS is being honored as the Outstanding Organization for Preserve Nevada's annual awards celebration to be held in Elko next weekend. Past President Carol Coleman and HRPS Secretary Debbie Hinman will be traveling to Elko to accept the award on behalf of HRPS.

UNR celebrates its sesquicentennial anniversary on October 12. Celebrations will be occurring all month long, including many historical exhibits - 150 Years of Nevada History | Sesquicentennial Celebration | University of Nevada, Reno (unr.edu)

We've got some great speakers coming up, a movie showing to tell you about and other news, so keep scrolling.

Meanwhile, why not take advantage of this beautiful Fall weather and do some strolling around the old neighborhood, in memory of our friend, Karl. Need some ideas? Go to Reno Historical for maps and suggestions.

Joy Orlich, President

joyorlich@sbcglobal.net

775-544-0686

Check out Our Fall Speaker Programs

Whatever Happened to Roy Frisch?

Sunday, October 13, Noon-1:30pm

Downtown Reno Library, 301 S. Center St.

Free street parking on Sundays

Programs are free and open to the public

Follow bank cashier Roy Frisch from boyhood to the night in Reno when he mysteriously disappeared. On March 22, 1934, Frisch vanished and would never be seen again!

Historian Michael Fischer will present the most current research and findings on this still unsolved mystery.

UPCOMING

11/10 - Chuck Weller, "Stories of Reno in WWII"

Michael Fischer, Historian, retired Dentist

Visit our website for more details - Speakers (historicreno.org)

Nevada Historical Society and Washoe County Libraries present:

High Noon with Neal Cobb

Tahoe Tidbits with Jim Bonar

Thursday, October 17, 2024, Noon-1:00pm, via Zoom

Jim Bonar, Historian, past president of the Lincoln Highway Association

Whether you call it lake Bigler, lake Tahoe or the lake of the sky, it is truly one of America’s scenic and historical gems.

When people visit this wonderful lake shared by both California and Nevada, many have no idea of the rich history that surrounds them from logging to its forests to support the mines in Virginia city, the many mansions built along its shore by the rich, the Steamboat that sailed its waters and the roads and railroads that brought people from near and far to savor all that Lake Tahoe had to offer.

Event is free and open to the public, but advance registration is required.

Sharon Honig-Bear and Frank Mullen Receive Press Awards

The Nevada Press Association held its annual awards banquet on September 14, with two of HRPS' own receiving first place awards for reporting excellence.

Sharon received an award in the Local Column - Magazine category, for an article in edible Reno Tahoe entitled, "Let them Eat Cake: Nevada's Centennial Celebration".

Frank Mullen received his award in the Feature Writing - Urban category for his story in the Reno News & Review entitled, "On the Trail of 'Snowshoe' Thompson".

See all winners here: Best Practices for Public Notice (nevadapress.com)

Sharon is a past-president of HRPS and current board member. Frank is a longtime HRPS supporter and husband of programs co-chair, Susan Mullen.

Sharon Honig-Bear and Frank Mullen at the Nevada Press Foundation's Awards dinner, September 14, 2024.

Fancy a Picon?

The Award-winning film, "Piconland" will be shown on PBS Reno Monday night, October 7, 2024 at 10:00pm

October Program Guide

Student documentarians at the Reynolds School of Journalism journeyed across the “big empty” of Nevada to historic Basque establishments in search of the best, quintessential cocktail of the Great Basin: the Picon Punch. Their film “Piconland: The Quest for the Perfect Picon Punch” took home the award for Best Nevada Film at the 2023 Dam Short Film Festival.

Drinking life to the fullest | University of Nevada, Reno (unr.edu)

This ran in the Reno Gazette Journal a number of times recently. Just passing it along in case anyone has any photos to share.

Morrill Hall - 1886

Morrill Hall was the first building on the University of Nevada, Reno campus. A three-story (plus basement) “Second Empire”-style edifice, the building was constructed in 1885-1886 after the relocation of the University of Nevada from Elko to Reno, a process that began in 1884. Relatively few Second Empire-style buildings remain in Reno, making this a rare local example of this particular type of Victorian architecture.

Photo credit - University Archives

Morrill Hall - The first building on the University of Nevada, Reno campus housed the entire university's operations upon opening in 1886. | Reno Historical

Join HRPS Today!

HRPS is "Dedicated to Preserving and Promoting Historic Resources in the Truckee Meadows through Education, Advocacy and Leadership". With over 500 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 $25/year ($45 for a family membership), and you can now join and pay online.

Benefits of Membership