Frances Humphrey Lecture Series

Nevada has a deep history of earthquake activity due to our unique tectonic setting at the edge of the extensional province of the Great Basin. The state is blessed with a complex network of faults which produce our beautiful landscapes and plentiful natural resources but also pose a seismic hazard which is challenging to […]

Nevada’s transcontinental railroad heritage begins in 1868 when the Central Pacific Railroad’s track laying crews reached the state, building east from Sacramento, California. As railroad construction progressed, existing and new communities were connected by ribbons of iron and steel. Towns like Reno, Winnemucca, Elko, Battle Mountain, Montello, Wells, Carlin, Palisade, Verdi, Wadsworth, Fernley, Lovelock, […]

Founded in 1935, Reno Little Theater (RLT) is one of the oldest continually operating community theaters in the United States. This lecture explores the theater’s evolution from its grassroots beginnings during the Great Depression to its role as a cornerstone of Reno’s cultural scene. We will examine the key figures who shaped RLT’S growth, […]

This lecture explores the rich history of the Marzen House Museum, a historical landmark that offers a glimpse into the early settlement and industrial development of Lovelock, Nevada. Originally built in the late 19th century by rancher Joseph Marzen, the house stands as a testament to the region’s agricultural and mining heritage. From its […]

The Washoe people of Nevada and California have experienced incredible changes to their lifeways and homelands beginning in the early 19th century. From the California Gold Rush to the discovery of the Comstock Lode, the Washoe people were pushed from their homelands and forced from making a living as hunters and gatherers to a […]

April 4th is the International Day of Mining Awareness. In this spirit, our lecture this month focuses on the efforts to record mining heritage by Dr. Paul White of the Department of Geography at the University of Nevada, Reno. For the last three decades, Dr. White has been recording Alaska’s historic gold mining landscapes, […]

Place names play a crucial role in shaping cultural identity, preserving history, and fostering a sense of belonging. In Nevada, a state with a rich tapestry of Indigenous heritage, mining history, and rapid urban development, the Nevada State Board on Geographic Names is tasked with the management of place names which presents unique challenges […]

High in the windswept Pyrenees, the pass of Rencesvals witnessed two defining moments in history. In 778 and again 824, Basque warriors fought against imperial forces of Charlemagne-led France and the Carolingian Empire, respectively. The Kingdom of Pamplona would emerge, with Eneko Aritza crowned as the first Basque king, heralding a 1,000-year sovereignty. These […]

Bowers Mansion was added to the National Register of Historic Places on January 31st, 1976, and was raised to National Significance in 2014 – and is today one of the most visited historic parks and homes in Northern Nevada. Join us for this insightful lecture on the history of the mansion and learn […]

There are over six hundred ghost towns, thousands of mining camps, stage and railroad stations and mines throughout the Silver State. There’s often a focus on just a handful of ghost towns, such as Berlin, Rhyolite and Belmont. As a result, explorers and historians seem to have forgotten about the smaller sites, their ruins […]