Fifty Years of Preserving Beauty: Photography by Jerry Fenwick is a small but stunning exhibit of nature images captured by a local author, historian and photographer. The exhibit recently opened at the Nevada Historical Society, 1650 N. Virginia St., Reno and continues through Sept. 27, 2014.
Fenwick partnered with Neal Cobb to create the “Reno Now and Then” and “Reno Now and Then II” books, which show streets, parks, buildings and other landmarks as they looked in Reno’s past, how they look today — if they still exist — or what now stands in the same locations. The books are fascinating for anyone who grew up in Reno or for anyone who’s new to the area and curious about its history.
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| Photography equipment from the collection of Jerry Fenwick |
In the “Fifty Years of Preserving Beauty” exhibit, Fenwick’s focus is on animals, plants and landscapes that define Reno and its outskirts. You’ll see hauntingly beautiful photos from nearby deserts, canyons, wetlands, the Truckee River downtown, Bartley Ranch, the University of Nevada, Reno campus and more. With each photo is a short description, provided by Fenwick, of what he noticed when he shot the photo and why he knew that the image would be memorable.
The photos in the exhibit are available for sale, if you are interested in owning one.
My visit to the “Fifty Years of Preserving Beauty” exhibit wasn’t my first trip to the Nevada Historical Society. I’ve been there several times before, to learn about life in the Silver State, from its rough-and-tumble beginnings to modern times.
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| The Nevada Historical Society at 1650 N. Virginia St., Reno |
The Nevada Historical Society offers an abundance of photos and artifacts related to the region’s Native Americans, farmers, ranchers, miners, railroad builders, business tycoons and more. Of course, there are exhibits about the gambling, marriage and divorce trades, brothels, entertainment and “everyday life” in Nevada.
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| Objects and "bling" from Nevada's early days through more modern times, as seen at Nevada Historical Society |
I especially like seeing images and objects from the days when Reno had a bustling downtown with a wide array of businesses. Downtown Reno looks so different (and on some streets, so desolate) at present.
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| An old image of a bustling downtown Reno, as seen at Nevada Historical Society |
Here’s a photo of the famous Mapes Hotel and Casino which once proudly stood on the corner of First and Virginia Streets in downtown Reno and was demolished on Super Bowl Sunday in 2000.
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| The stately Mapes Hotel and Casino, now gone from downtown Reno |
Here’s one of a major flood in downtown Reno in the 1950s.
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| A sad, wet day in downtown Reno in the 1950s |
There are lots more photos and stories for you to enjoy at the Nevada Historical Society. I’m surprised that many people don’t seem to know anything about this nifty little history museum. Some acquaintances who’ve lived in Reno for decades have asked me (a newcomer), "Where's that?" when I make mention of it.
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| Entrance to the Biggest Little City exhibit at Nevada Historical Society |
This local cultural gem is located near the northwest end of the University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) campus. From the parking lot behind the Nevada Historical Society, you can see UNR’s Mackay Stadium.
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| View from the parking lot behind Nevada Historical Society |
Admission to the Nevada Historical Society is just $4 for adults and free for members or for children age 17 and younger.
For hours and other information about the Nevada Historical Society, call (775) 688-1190 or visit http://museums.nevadaculture.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=446&Itemid=122
BONUS TRAVEL TIP!
One of my favorite history museums in the Western U.S. is the Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI), 860 Terry Ave. N in Seattle. My family made numerous visits to the old MOHAI in the Montlake neighborhood, just off Lake Washington, when my kids were youngsters.
Last summer, we had the pleasure of checking out MOHAI’s new, improved location in a gorgeous, restored building on Seattle’s Lake Union.
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| The new and improved Museum of History and Industry (MOHAI) in Seattle |
MOHAI features top-notch exhibits on “unforgettable stories of the men and women who built Seattle from wilderness to world city.”
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| The main exhibition hall at Seattle's MOHAI |
And where else can you see the iconic Lincoln’s Toe Truck? This truck actually used to cruise the streets of downtown Seattle and was a source of endless chuckles for my children and their classmates on school field trips.
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| The beloved Lincoln's Toe Truck at Seattle's MOHAI |
For more information about MOHAI, call (206) 324-1126 or visit http://www.mohai.org/
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