23rd ANNUAL COMSTOCK HISTORIC PRESERVATION WEEKEND
MAY 15-17, 2009 MORE PRECIOUS THAN SILVER: 150 YEARS OF WATER ON THE COMSTOCK

FRIDAY MAY 15th

10:00-5:00 Fourth Ward School Changing Galley Exhibit Openings: More Precious Than Silver: 150 Years of Water on the Comstock The importance of a water system as it relates to the social, economic, and political development of an industrial complex in the history of the American West, the state of the system today and plans for its future is examined and displayed in the exhibit. In order to present the water system in a relevant national and global context, the exhibit will include a general overview of the affect of water on our lives. Water is the world's most important resource today just as it was during the development of the Virginia City and Gold Hill Water System. Parallels to the water famine on the Comstock in the 1860s can be found in the development of areas such as Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Phoenix as well as regions across Africa, the Middle East, Australia, and Asia. Museum admission.

5:30-7:00 Kick Off Party for PARTIES OF THE YEAR at Fourth Ward Your first opportunity to reserve your space at the most extraordinary adventures, outings, activities and feasts all packaged with themed cuisine in unique locations and individually hosted by community donors and friends. The Parties are offered throughout the Year and you cannot experience them anywhere else.

SATURDAY MAY 16th

11:00-4:00 Letterpress Printing Workshop at Fourth Ward Letterpress Printing with Chic DiFrancia and Carol Clifford. Demonstration on Chandler Press used to print the Fourth Ward School newspapers and annuals. Take home a printed souvenir. Museum admission.

12:00-1:30 Conversation about the Virginia and Gold Hill Water System. Free with museum admission.

2:30-3:00 14th Annual Comstock Children’s Chorus: Schooldays in Virginia City 1878 Squeek LaVake directs the acclaimed Comstock Children’s Chorus in a medley of songs. Their performance is always one of the highlights of the weekend. Museum admission.

SUNDAY MAY 17th

1:00-1:30 Nevada Preservation Awards Nevada State Historic Preservation Awards presented by Ron James, State Historic Preservation Officer. The awards recognize individuals and organizations that have made a significant contribution to preservation in Nevada. Museum admission.

2:00-3:00 Victorian Fashion Show Enjoy an opportunity to see a promenade of authentic historic fashions and finery during the Victorian era. Paulette Grune commentating. Many of the costumed participants are members of the Nevada Civil War Volunteers. Museum admission.

3:00-4:00 Carol Morgan Page Memorial Silver Tea Carol Morgan Page, who was instrumental in Comstock preservation, started serving tea and locally-prepared treats at the Fourth Ward School Museum to bring people and history together during the national celebration of historic preservation. Museum admission.

The 23rd Annual Comstock Historic Preservation Weekend is funded in part by Nevada Humanities, Storey County and members of the Historic Fourth Ward School. Dedicated to preserving, protecting and promoting the Fourth Ward School and the Comstock through a diversity of quality programs and events.

All events are held at the Historic Fourth Ward School Museum at 537 South C Street, Virginia City, Nevada, unless otherwise noted. For more information please call 775-847-0975 or visit www.fourthwardschool.org.

OTHER NEWS

Broadband comes to the Fourth Ward!

Convention and seminar amenities have added Wireless, broadband access from all meeting rooms. Click on "Venues" at the top of the page to review the great offerings that will make your business event or training session a success.

2004 Honor Award from the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

The Historic Fourth Ward School Foundation is the recipient of the National Preservation Award for the adaptive use of the historic Fourth Ward School as a museum and community cultural center. This award is only the second time that a site in Nevada has been recognized for preservation achievement by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

THE ROBERT E. KENDALL ENDOWMENT FUND FOR THE HISTORIC FOURTH WARD SCHOOL

News for 2007: Endowment Fund Doubles Thanks to Bob Kendall Challenge Match

Through the help of many individuals and organizations, the School was saved after fifty years of abuse and neglect. Although gifts, fund raisers, shop sales, and entrance fees had been covering the yearly expenses of keeping the doors open, there was little left for a cushion that would address unforeseen circumstances that might jeopardize the School and its mission. It was time to create a legacy for the future.

In 2004 one of our most illustrious former students, Robert E. Kendall (more), helped create our Endowment Fund with an initial gift of $100,000. The Fund is his namesake and is well managed through the good auspices of The Community Foundation of Western Nevada (http://www.cfwnv.org/).

Bob challenged the Board of Directors of The Historic Fourth Ward School in 2006 to match $50,000. Thanks to the generosity of attendees, sponsors, and hosts at the Parties of the Year and private donations stimulated by a letter from Bob to mining associates, an article in the Nevada Appeal, and friends of the Fourth Ward School, the match was met by the December 31, 2006 deadline.

The Fund is growing but still greatly depends on the good will of people with foresight who understand how ephemeral the historic edifices of human endeavor are without constant diligence.

We invite you to join with us in assuring that future generations can enjoy what we have today by contributing to the Fund. You can call the Director, Barbara Mackey (775-847-0975), to arrange a contribution in the form most convenient for you. We've very flexible!

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