HISTORIC FOURTH WARD SCHOOL FOUNDATION:

1986 - 2000

The FWS Museum operated under the auspice of Storey County from 1986 to 2000.

May 2000

The FWS formed a non-profit corporation and received its 501 (c) 3 status. The FWS is considered a major contributing aspect of the Comstock Historic District, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Conservation Assessment Program (CAP) grant

To address the growing regional requests to use the facility, and to insure that we retain the integrity of the building and our collections, the FWS applied for and received a Conservation Assessment Program (CAP) grant from Heritage Preservation Inc. in Washington D.C.

The FWS Board, through referrals, hired nationally recognized preservation architect Wayne Donaldson for the CAP process. Following the completion of the CAP, the Board determined that Mr. Donaldson held the preservation expertise necessary for the continuing restoration of the FWS. His firm, Milford Wayne Donaldson Architects (MWDA) also completed a comprehensive Historic Structures Report (HSR), as required by the "Save America's Treasures" (SAT) grant.

Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD)

In addition to working with MWDA, the FWS has an active partnership with Savannah College of Art & Design (SCAD). As part of this innovative project, the FWS has direct access to the expertise of SCAD students and faculty. In June of 2000, the FWS hosted five graduate student interns for 6 weeks of on-site work. They worked with FWS staff and MWDA to complete the HSR, and for the production of a FWS and Comstock video documentary which premiered at the FWS in May 2001. Through SCAD paint analysis performed in their labs, the original exterior paint scheme was returned to the building.

Nevada Commission for Cultural Affairs

The Nevada Commission for Cultural Affairs in cooperation with the Nevada State Historic Preservation Office has funded more than 2.75 million dollars for the ongoing restoration of the building.

Restoration/Future

The origin of the FWS restoration project arose from the community's desire to save the building as a living monument to the important history of the Comstock and to reestablish it as a contemporary center for community cultural activities. The support for the FWS today continues to expand.

Even in the early stages of restoration, the FWS provides a unified center for community cultural events. The school is considered one of the most spectacular of the Comstock era buildings and in 2000 we welcomed more than 43,000 visitors to our facility and programs. Our season runs from May through October because of a lack of a heating system. And yet, the FWS is home to permanent exhibits, galleries, multi-media displays, workshop and performance spaces, and a gift shop primarily focusing on the historic Comstock.

The FWS is replete with a number of arts, humanities, museology and preservation components and is dedicated to these activities. The school is also host to a number of contemporary activities and opens its doors to a wide variety of events for both the community and its tourists.

Ongoing evaluation and Yearly Strategic Planning

The FWS continues to insure that this present and future restoration is successful by holding public meetings with Storey County citizens in an ongoing evaluation and yearly strategic planning process. In addition, the members of the FWS Board and staff regularly attend the meetings of the other public organizations within the community and the region including the Virginia City Chamber of Commerce, the Virginia City Convention and Tourism Authority, the Comstock Arts Council, Reno/Tahoe Territory, Piper's Opera House, and Comstock Historic District Commission.

Interpretation Plan

Based upon these public meetings, beginning in 1986 with the formation of the "Friends of the FWS" and with the completion of the HSR report, the FWS began incorporating the following cultural and historical uses into its Interpretation Plan:

• assembly/performance space,
• archives/resource center,
• changing gallery,
• living history programs,
• workshop and conference space,
• kitchen and meeting space,
• public restrooms, and
• FWS office space/storage.

Restoration Results

• The FWS restoration has increased use of the building and has given Nevada national recognition through "Save America's Treasures."
• We continue to promote an increase in tourism to the school, to the Comstock and to Nevada. The growing nationwide interest in heritage and cultural tourism provides an opportunity for northern Nevada to focus on its strength as a diverse territory of unique landscape, culture and history.
• More special events, performances, expanded space for meetings, workshops and small conferences will continue to draw additional audiences and users from throughout the country.

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