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Nevada’s Historic Preservation and Archaeological Awareness Month

History Means Nevada!  Get Out and Explore...

Read Governor Joe Lombardo's Proclamation declaring May as Archeological Awareness and Historic Preservation Month.  Governor's Proclamation.

May is an opportunity to participate in many family-friendly events that celebrate Historic Preservation and Archaeological Awareness for 2025.

We invite you to:

1.  Learn more about your home.  The vast majority of homes in Nevada are historic in age (over 50 years), even those ranch and split-level houses you grew up in. Visit your local historical society, library, and public records office to get started.
2.  Explore your Main Street.  From Gardnerville to Genoa to Reno to Las Vegas, every town has a historic core or "Main Street".  Go out to a historic restaurant, an old movie house, brewery, shop at stores in older buildings, or explore neighborhoods with older homes.
3.  Take a Trip, Tour or a Ride.  From trains, to trails to urban hikes - history is all around.  Many historical sites and homes are available for tours.  Check with your local Historical Society, Chamber of Commerce or Nevada's Historic Resources map for where to find historic resources near you, or for new or favorite places you will be visiting.
4.  Architectural Scavenger Hunts.  Some communities feature architectural scavenger hunts such as Carson City.  How many Victorian, Craftsman, brick homes or buildings can you find?  Encourage your local community to participate and create one.
5.  Learn about Historic Preservation.  Groups like the National Trust for Historic Preservation and the National Park Service have webinars about historic preservation and workshops on restoring historic resources.
6.  Get Involved.  Want to save historic places that matter to you?  Support your local main street and preservation organization, speak with your elected officials, and let others know why historic preservation is an important part of your community. Volunteer your time or become a member of a preservation group, historical society or main street program.

Here are some additional places, ideas and resources for celebrating the unique cultural resources found in the Silver State.   Enjoy!

Community Events, Celebrations and Activities

Calendar is being assembled, and will be updated through the beginning of May here.  Contact our office to add your event, celebration, activity or preservation news to our calendar.

  • Carson City
  1. The State Historic Preservation Office and Department of Conservation and Natural Resources is hosting the exhibit, "Echoes of the Iron Horse" in the Lobby of the Bryan Building, 901 South Stewart Street, Carson City.  Flyer.
  2. Annual Architectural Scavenger Hunt organized by the Carson City Historic Resources Commission.  Enter Here.   Entries are due by 3pm on May 30, 2025. 
  • Dayton
  1. May 15, Thursday, 7:00 pm - The Historical Society of Dayton Valley presents "Growing up on the Comstock.”  An Informal Panel Discussion with panelists: Laura Tennant, Gloria Manning, Lois Uhalde, Nancy Sbragia, Joey Sbragia.  Flyer.
  • Overton
  1. May 17, Saturday,  1:00 pm - Lost City Museum - From Upper Atmosphere to Lake Bottom: The Story of the Lake Mead B-29.  Submerged for more than 75 years after ditching into the water of Nevada's Hoover Dam resevoir, the tale of the Lake Mead B-29 grows more interesting with each passing decade.  This presentation highlights the B-29's scientific successes and recounts how the plane came to rest on the bottom of Lake Mead and the decades-long quest to find it.  Presented by Jeff Wedding and Sue Edwards.  721 S. Moapa Valley Blvd., Overton.  Information.
  • City of Reno
  1. Historic Preservation Awareness Month Calendar of Events.
  2. Learn more about the History of Downtown Reno and explore historic properties with the Downtown Reno StoryMap or the East 4th Street StoryMap.
  3. Check out the history of one of Reno’s oldest and most popular parks with Celebrating Reno’s Historic Parks.
  4. Explore the varied Historical Markers of the Truckee Meadows showcasing historical markers in Reno, Sparks, and beyond.
  5. May 3, Saturday 1:00 pm - Nevada Historical Society Nevada History - On The Go! Lecture Series.  Baby Face Nelson in Nevada.  Historian Michael E. Fischer explores Nelson’s time in the state and explains why such a notorious killer could hide out here in plain sight. It is the story of politics, corruption, and crime in 1930s Nevada. If you love stories about crime and mobsters, you won't want to miss this program.  In person lecture at the Sierra View Library, inside the Reno Town Mall, 4001 South Virginia Street, Reno.
  6. May 8, Thursday, noon – Reno Divorce Ranches: A Dissertation Sneak Peek.  Audrey Andrews will present a webinar with her latest research on Reno’s Divorce Ranches and describe what the experience of temporary residency meant to divorcées. Register Here.
  7. May 8, Thursday, 5:30 pm - City of Reno Historic Preservation Awards.  Join the Historical Resources Commission in recognizing the 2025 Historic Preservation Award winners at The Elm Estate, 1401 W 2nd Street. Register Here.  Awards Invitation Flyer.
  8. May 14, Wednesday - 5:30 pm - Nevada Historical Society Writer's Wednesday - On The Go!.  Going It Alone: Ramblings and Reflections from the Trail.  In person lecture at The Knights of Pythias building, at 980 Nevada Street, Reno, doors open at 5 pm. Meet author Tim Hauserman as he shares his experiences hiking by himself through some of the most spectacular landscapes in the United States. Hauserman hikes the John Muir Trail through rainstorms and challenging climbs, explores the Tahoe Rim Trail on a fourteen-day excursion. He eventually discovers that his long walks in the woods are less about hiking and more about learning how he wants to live his life.
  9. May 15th, Thursday, noon - Nevada Historical Society High Noon Lecture Series.  Neal Cobb: Reno Rodeo Mural Video and the Historic Reno Rodeo Talk.  We will show the video about the history of the Reno Rodeo Mural.   Register.
  10. May 16th, Friday, noon – Black Reno in the 1930s (Art Bite at NMA).  Historian Alicia Barber will present recent research at the Nevada Museum of Art on the experience of the Black community in Reno during the 1930s. Register at Nevadaart.com.
  11. May 22nd, Thursday, noon – Biggest Little Historic Preservation.  City of Reno staff will present a webinar explaining the City’s historic preservation program and the tools available on its website for researching local history. Register Here.
  12. May 29th, Thursday, noon – Walking Tour of Reno’s Railroad Architecture.  Join Architectural Historian Jean-Guy Dubé for a short walk around some of the city’s remaining railroad buildings to learn more about how the railroad influenced Reno’s development. Meet at the historic Southern Pacific Railroad Depot. Register Here.

 

Organizations

Nevadans for Cultural Preservation

  • Experienced archeologists and educators with a passion for preserving our heritage, educating the public, and collaborating on projects that bridge the two.  Brochure.  Upcoming Events.

Nevada Preservation Foundation

Historic Reno Preservation Society

  • Virtually or Individually Tour the City with Reno Historical  
    • Seeking a bit of fresh air, Reno Historical offers an engaging variety of tours to transport you across time and space. Just click Tours on the website (renohistorical.org) and you’ll find a range of options for exploring the city’s historic landscape.   More information: Historic Reno Preservation Society

State and Federal Resources

National Park Service

Nevada Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

Travel Nevada 

Museums

Local Government Options

Universities

Virtual Reality Tours of Nevada Resources

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