Education
Frances Humphrey Lecture Series “The Loneliest Road” by Stephen Provost
U.S. Highway 50 through Nevada has become celebrated as “America’s Loneliest Road.” How did it get this way, and why does it hold such fascination for today’s travelers? The story of U.S. 50 begins with the Overland Trail and the Lincoln Highway, the first transcontinental road. Conceived in 1913, the Lincoln followed the trail […]
Family Fun Saturday: Pines Are Fine
Explore the world of conifer trees, evergreens that produce cones and are dressed in green needles instead of leaves. Get introduced to Nevada’s two state trees, the Bristlecone and Pinyon Pine. Learn how American Indians processed and used pine nuts for food, and discover which animals enjoy eating them, too. Participants can make a […]
Family Fun Saturday: Bats: Night Flyers of the Skies
Unravel myths about bats and learn why they should be protected. Learn to recognize common Nevada bats that eat insects and use echolocation. Distinguish them from Old World bats that are larger, eat different foods, and don’t necessarily use echolocation to find their way. Make a batty craft, write a poem, and explore bat […]
Frances Humphrey Lecture Series “John A ‘Snowshoe’ Thompson, ‘Mailman of the Sierra’ and Father of Snow Skiing in California” Chautauqua by Steve Hale
The story of John A. “Snowshoe” Thompson is not one of simply the extraordinary physical endurance needed to carry the mail on “snow-shoes” (now “skis”) over the desolate high Sierra, but one of compassion and earning the respect of his fellow man through integrity and honesty. Between 1856 and 1876, the “Mailman of the […]
Family Fun Saturday: Funky Fungi
Discover fascinating facts about fungi and the role they serve as decomposers, while learning about their benefits and potential dangers. Participants can model and paint a mushroom to take home using Crayola model magic. This program is developed for grades 2-5, but all ages are welcome. No additional materials fee. Cost is $10 for […]
Frances Humphrey Lecture Series “Wood for the Comstock” by Wendell Huffman
Join retired curator Wendell Huffman for a presentation about the industries that developed in the late 19th century providing the Comstock with mining timbers, lumber and wood fuel. This lecture covers the sawmills, flumes and river drives that served this demand, as well as the Virginia & Truckee and big Lake Tahoe companies that […]
Frances Humphrey Lecture Series “The Flying Wolves Invade Southern California” by Bob Nylen
Prior to Sept. 2, 2023, Nevada Wolf Pack football had last played USC 94 years ago on November 9, 1929 at the Los Angeles Coliseum. The University of Nevada had captured national attention before the game by announcing that the football team would fly in airplanes to southern California. The team’s novel method of […]
Frances Humphrey Lecture Series “Lake Tahoe’s Eccentric George Whittell and his wife Elia” Chautauqua by David and Gayle Woodruff
Local authors and historians David and Gayle Woodruff re-enact the characters of one of the wealthiest couples on the West Coast during the 1920s through 1950s. They kept an African Lion for a pet, owned over 25 miles of Lake Tahoe waterfront, built one of the most beautiful estates on Lake Tahoe’s shore, hosted […]
Family Fun Saturday: Nevada Wildflowers
Discover the parts of a flower and the secrets of pollination, dissect a flower in the lab, learn to recognize common Nevada wildflowers, decorate a plant press, and create a framed “flower garden” to take home. Also, younger participants can enjoy coloring images of popular spring wildflowers found throughout Northern Nevada’s diverse and colorful […]
Frances Humphrey Lecture Series “Hair, Makeup and Me” by Jan Loverin
Putting on your face, or applying makeup, is an activity most women and some men do daily. Nevada State Museum Clothing and Textiles Curator Jan Loverin explores a brief history of this ritual and its meanings – from protecting our eyes from sun glare, to understanding the significance of “lip candy,” to disparate challenges […]
