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Archival gown, historic coin press featured this January in Carson City

CARSON CITY, Nevada — The Nevada State Museum, Carson City, will showcase an early 20th century gown on Jan. 20, as well as historic Coin Press No. 1 on Jan. 16.

The 1909 Delphos gown, scandalous at the time because it clung to the figure, will be displayed from 1 to 3 p.m. Jan. 20 as part of the museum’s Curator’s Corner program. On the first and third Wednesday of the month, a museum curator exhibits an artifact in short, repeating presentations for visitors passing through the museum’s demonstration gallery. The Delphos gown was created by Mariano Fortuny, a Venetian artist, etcher, painter, chemist, inventor, and dress designer. Inspired by classical Greek culture, the Delphos gown has hand-stitched pleats, Murano glass beads and an embossed belt.

Historical Coin Press No. 1 operates from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. every Saturday in January. Medallions imprinted with the image of a health care worker — the Nevada Health Care Heroes medallion — will be stamped; interested people can purchase a .999 fine silver planchet and watch as it is minted. Cost is $100, and a portion of the proceeds will go to the COVID-19 Relief Fund, administered by the Community Foundation of Western Nevada.

Coin Press No. 1 was the first coin press to operate at the Carson City Mint. A former U.S. Branch Mint, the Carson City Mint was in operation from 1870 to 1893. Today, the old mint building is incorporated into the museum.

The museum, 600 N. Carson St. in Carson City, is open at 25% capacity from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. Admission is $8, free for children ages 17 and younger. Visitors must wear face coverings and practice social distancing. For more, visit CarsonNVMuseum.org.

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The Nevada State Museum, Carson City engages diverse audiences in understanding and celebrating Nevada’s natural and cultural heritage. The museum is one of seven state museums that make up the Nevada Division of Museums and History.