Since I've lately been on a Reno history kick, I was pleased that the Nevada Historical Society hosted a free admission day, with a "History For The Holidays" theme, this past Saturday.
The society is located at 1650 N. Virignia St., just past University of Nevada, Reno's Fleischmann Planetarium. Open Wednesday through Saturday, Nevada Historical Society admission is usually just $4 for adults; free for museum members or children under 17.
Free events like this holiday-themed open house are designed to bring in people who might not otherwise come to the museum, which was founded in 1904 by Professor Jeanne Elizabeth Wier of the University of Nevada.
(The young people behind The General Store exhibit were talented Christmas carolers from Galena High School in South Reno.)
Although the building isn't large, the Nevada Historical Society has a good assortment of mementos and memorabilia telling the stories of the Silver State and the Biggest Little City In The World.
Of course, this vintage neon sign for a cocktail lounge called The Phone Booth and a Reno Noir display are reminders of Nevada's past nightlife.
As well, there are mentions of live entertainment in old Reno. Left to right in the photo: Cher, The Smothers Brothers, Roy Clark, Johnny Cash, Ray Charles and Charro.
NOTE: Some signage at the Nevada Historical Socity is not as helpful as it could be. I recognized these performers but maybe visitors who were not from the U.S. would not. As well, I wished that there had been more information about "The Dog House, A Bright Spot in the Night Life of Reno." There's just this photo — nothing to tell when it was taken or why The Dog House was significant.
A giant slot machine is one of many displayed items devoted to Nevada's gaming industry.
These scales were used to measure the outputs of gold and silver at Nevada's Comstock Lode.
Also displayed are personal items found on the most dreaded stretch of the emigrant trail, a 40-mile desert with no water available.
I love this postcard image — from the Nevada Historical Society gift shop — of Reno at night in 1941, looking south on Virginia Street. It reminds me of "Pottersville" from the movie "It's A Wonderful Life."
And check out this other postcard image, also from the museum's gift shop, of Engine #25 on the Crown Point Trestle of the Virginia & Truckee Railroad in Gold Hill, Nevada, 1869. Looks like a scary ride!
Behind-the-scenes at the Nevada Historical Society is a wonderful research library that is open to the public. Users need to fill out a card listing their driver's license number and other personal information. The very helpful librarian technician Heidi Englund explained that many materials are one-of-a-kind and it would be a shame if these items were lost, stolen or damaged. For those reasons, users also must check any purses or bags into lockers behind the library desk. Only pencils and papers are allowed within the study areas.
Englund enthusiastically found a load of items pertaining to my interests. I asked to see pictures of old downtown Reno when there were stores such as Gray Reid's, J.C. Penney, Montgomery Ward's and Woolworth's. I learned that there were major floods in 1950 and 1955 which damaged such businesses and also learned of grand old theatres called The Majestic and The Wigwam.
Reno history books, shared by Englund, had great photos from the Transcontinental Highways Exposition in 1927. I learned that after the exposition, a prize of $100 was offered for a permanent logo to be mounted on the Reno Arch. "The Biggest Little City In The World" was the winner, still used today.
Englund also shared a book about The Mapes Hotel, which opened in 1947 at First and Virginia Streets in downtown Reno, where the ice skating rink is now located. The Mapes featured shows with legendary perfomers such as Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis, Jr. — and Marilyn Monroe stayed there while she was filming "The Misfits." The Mapes closed in 1982 and was imploded in 2000.
I could have spent much more time perusing materials in the library at the Nevada Historical Society, but I'll save that for a return visit. This is a nice little museum and it deserves to grow in size and in popularity.
For more 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=401 .
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