24th ANNUAL COMSTOCK HISTORIC PRESERVATION WEEKEND
MAY 14-16, 2010 A TIME OF MANY FIRSTS
FRIDAY MAY 14th
10:00-5:00 Fourth Ward School Changing Galley Exhibit: 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.
11:00- 4:00 Bed Pan Tours at St. Mary Louise Mackay's Hospital now know as St. Mary's Art Center.
5:00 Fourth Ward School Exhibit Opening: Interactive Touchscreen Modern Mining funded by the Commission of Mineral Resources.
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 15th
10:00-5:00 Fourth Ward School Exhibit Peview: A Time of Many Firsts: School Days on the Comstock. With funding from the Virginia City Alumni Association, the “Alumni Room” exhibit has had a facelift. The exhibit room tells the story of eduction from “Pre-School 1859-1876” (before the Fourth Ward School), “The School 1876-1936” to “After School 1936-present” featuring students, activities and athletics during those years of many firsts. Museum Admission.
11:00 Dedication of Engineering Marvels on the Comstock Interpretive Sign. Funded by the Jewish American Society for Historic Preservation, the sign describes the engineering feats of Deidesheimer's square set timbering, Sutro's tunnel and Schussler's water system. Parking lot of the Historic Fourth Ward School.
11:00-2:00 Celebrating Mark Twain Chic DiFrancia and Carol Clifford will discuss Samuel Clemens life on the 100th anniversary of his death. Take home a souvenir printed on the Chandler Press, which was used to print the Fourth Ward School newspapers and annuals. Museum admission.
Noon Law Enforcement Restored Vehicle Parade through downtown. 1:00-6:00 Restored Law Enforcement Vehicle Show Outside Piper's Opera House next to the Silver State Peace Officer's Museum. Museum admission. Call the Peace Officer's Museum for more information 847-7800.
1:30-2:00 17th Annual Comstock Children’s Chorus 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..
2:00 The Many Faces of the Comstock: An Architectural Walking Tour Take a look at the boom and bust, TV Bonanza infusion and modern commercialism of Comstock architecture. $20 per person
7:00 Preservation Ball. Benefit for Piper's Opera House, Live Music, Victorian Fashion Show, Desserts. Held at the Tahoe House Hotel. $16 reservations only. 847-5264 for more information.
SUNDAY MAY 16th
9:00 -Noon Collector and restored law enforcement vehicle show outside the Silver State Peace Officer's Museum and Piper's Opera House.
The 24th Annual Comstock Historic Preservation Weekend is funded in part by Storey County and members of the Historic Fourth Ward School. Dedicated to connecting people to the relevance and importance of the Comstock story through its authentic preservation, interactive exhibitions, interpretive programs, and archival resources.
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.
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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