Mint Edition Newsletter of the Nevada State Museum, Carson City Summer 2017 Nevada Department of Tourism & Cultural Affairs Vol. XLVII, No. 2

Home Means Nevada IN THIS ISSUE: 1. NSM Welcomes New Director to New NSM Director 2. Message From the Director by Guy Clifton, Public Relations Specialist, NDTCA job in Carson City on April 3, filling the 3. Remembering the Great War Myron Freedman’s first trip to a museum was position left vacant by the retirement of Jim 4. Frances Humphrey Lecture Series a family outing to the Nevada State Museum Barmore in July 2016. 5. FHLS Continued in Carson City in the 1960s. “The Division is delighted to have Mr. 6. Barefoot Mannequin The excitement of exploring the old mine Freedman join our team,” said Peter Barton, 7. Welcome New Members tunnel in the museum’s lower level and getting administrator for the Nevada Division of 8. Contact the Museum an up-close look at artifacts ranging from Museums & History. “Myron’s experienced

arrowheads to bones helped spark a love of history and Nevada in the youngster that still burns bright more than half a century later. “After growing up here (in Reno) and graduating from Wooster High School and UNR, getting married, then setting out into the country and eventually finding myself in the museum world where, for years, I Above: Detail of photo from Remembering the produced experiences for visitors, and now to Great War: One Hundred Years Later. French bring all that back here to the very first women prepare shell casings for the war effort. museum I ever visited, there’s just something During World War I a large number of women poetic about that,” Freedman said. “Like a were recruited into jobs vacated by men who marvelous journey.” had gone to fight in the war. Their contribution was essential to the war effort. Freedman, who has served as executive Left: Myron Freedman, Nevada State Museum director of the Palo Alto History Museum in Director (Photo: Jeanette McGregor). Palo Alto, Calif., since 2014, began his new leadership and innovative approach to guiding and lead one of the state’s iconic museums. growing cultural heritage organizations make him “What I’m thrilled about at the moment is being Message from perfectly suited to guide the Nevada State absorbed into Nevada history again,” he said. th Museum as it moves forward into its 76 year of “I’ve done that for the other museums I’ve the Director service. We are excited to welcome him home to worked for and it’s the most satisfying privilege of Nevada.” After a long and wet winter and the job. Learning Nevada history in school as a spring, sunny days are here again. I Before working in Palo Alto, Freedman served as kid felt like an adventure story, and I’m looking love the spring mornings in Northern executive director of the Museum of Ventura forward to diving back in for new chapters.” Nevada. The yellow sunshine painting County; executive director of the Hayward (Calif.) Freedman said his first order will be to meet with the grass and trees, a blue sky that Area Historical Society; exhibits curator at the the museum’s curators, historians and belongs in a Van Gogh painting, and Jefferson National Expansion Memorial (Gateway stakeholders. what sounds like an aviary of birds Arch) in St. Louis, Mo.; director of exhibitions singing through the window screens. and special projects at the Missouri History “I want to know, what are the stories they’ve been This is a special place on Earth. An Museum in St. Louis; and in several roles at the dying to tell,” he said. “What I found most hour later I am on the road between Chicago History Museum. inspiring when I was looking at this job was seeing Reno and Carson, driving through the collections. Nevada has wonderful collections Washoe Valley. On the valley floor, It’s a passion that has never left him and and thinking about the many stories that we will because of all the rain and snow, are Freedman can’t contain his excitement to be share with visitors, both the familiar and the intermittent vast ponds - like sections home in Nevada and having the opportunity to of a mirror laying on the grass fields untold, is really exciting.” reflecting the Sierra range and sky to the West. Have you seen this effect? It is worth a drive just to experience it. As you move past, the water mirrors are held up to the mountain range doubling Nevada’s soaring beauty simultaneously up: tawny fields, mountain blue, pine green, snow white, sky blue, and down, the same impressionist palette reversed. It is good to be home in Nevada, working with the knowledgeable historians, scientists, and committed staff of the Museum, and thinking Photos: George Baumgardner about how we will reflect Nevada’s colorful story and our sense of this Coin Press No. 1 Update unique lovely place for all who make Left: Jonathan Sol prepares a part for re-installation. Center: Columbia Machine Works owner John the journey to the Old Mint. Sol and his son Jonathan install the newly machined and repaired parts for Coin Press No. 1. 2 Right: Myron Freedman, Bob Nylen, and Richard Parker examine a freshly minted medallion for flaws. Remembering the Great War: One Hundred Years Later

by Bob Nylen, Curator of HIstory It was difficult to decide which images to use In remembrance of the centennial of the United because there were so many excellent ones. States’ entry into the First World War in April In addition to the photographs, there are several 1917, the museum has opened a new exhibit cases with World War I memorabilia from the Remembering the Great War: One Hundred Years collections of the Nevada State Museum and Later. The centennial exhibit features over thirty Nevada Historical Society in Reno. The extraordinary and powerful images from the museum’s registrar Sue Ann Monteleone, with museum photograph archive. The images have the assistance of collector Gary Cain, owner of not been on display or published before this WestWall Militaria in Carson City, picked many special exhibit. unique pieces for exhibit. Gary Cain provided Photo: Jeanette McGregor The photographs were all taken by the information and insight that assisted Sue Ann in Photographic Section of the French Army. writing up the captions for the artifacts. The film runs for 38 minutes and was released The photographic section of the army (SPA) Another extraordinary World War I item on was created in 1915 and hired photographers by the Committee on Public Information. It is display is the military uniform of a U.S. Army divided into two parts – part one, America to go out and document the war. The museum captain from the museum’s Marjorie Russell acquired this collection numbering over 400 Preparing and part two, The Stars and Stripes Over Clothing and Textile Center. The officer was a There. It is an amazing film that was first images as part of a larger Nevada collection balloon observer, as designated by the half wing from a local Carson City resident, Daun released to over 4,000 theaters across the insignia above his left breast pocket; his task country on May 18, 1918. Bohall. He purchased this unique collection at was to serve as a spotter in directing American a yard sale. artillery fire. The exhibit Remembering the Great War opened on April 18 in the South Gallery and will be on On the back of the majority of the A silent film on American Troops in France, photographic prints, in French, are short display through the end of the year. The Pershing’s Crusaders, is also being shown museum store has several excellent identifications, which helped staff in researching in the gallery. and writing the books on World War I for sale. captions. Museum members receive a 15% discount.

Above right: Gary Cain of WestWall Militaria, Registrar Sue Ann Monteleone, and Curator of History Bob Nylen, check out various artifacts in preparation for the exhibit. After World War I, poppies became a symbol of remembrance. Exhibits Preparator Jeanette McGregor painted the poppies that can be found throughout the exhibit. 3 August 24, 2017 Frances Humphrey Lecture Series Owls in Nevada by Jenni Jeffers Join us on the last Thursday of each month from 6:30 – 8:00 pm Jenni Jeffers will show you some of the live owl Doors open at 6:00 pm; $8 for adults; free for museum members & ages 17 & under species* native to Nevada and explain about their life history. Owls occupy a variety of July 27, 2017 taught at Battle Mountain High School from 1972- habitats, however they 75 and in Carson City from 1975-94. He wrote, are seldom observed by Battle Mountain is the Place for Me “One Little Girl’s Love” for Country Extra, seven the public because much by Ken Beaton articles for Nevada in the West magazine, one for of their activity occurs at Nevada Magazine, September/October 2016 and Be prepared to learn some of the history of night. Come and find out Battle Mountain and don’t leave your sense numerous commentaries for the Nevada Appeal. His memoir, THE BULLDOG BRIGADE: Every what goes bump in the of humor at home! This is the community night and see these that received lemons and made lemonade. If Day Red and Gray is available in print or eBook on Amazon. beautiful birds up close. you have ever said, “There’s nothing to do in Jeffers will be available to Carson City,” Ken Beaton suggests you Contact Bob Nylen: [email protected] answer specific questions or 775/687-4810, ext. 245. check into a Battle Mountain motel for three about owls and how you weeks one Tuesday evening. Discover the may be able to assist in Above: Jenni Jeffers days before computers, tablets, iPhones, their conservation. with an Osprey. internet, cable, satellite dishes, DVRs, digital Below: Northern Saw players, video games, NFL game day Jenni Jeffers received a -whet Owls. packages, or eBooks. We’ll conclude with a Bachelors and Masters Mitch Miller sing along to “Battle Mountain degree in Wildlife Biology is the Place for Me.” from New Mexico State University and shortly The Lynn, Massachusetts native spent his after started working as a wildlife first five Christmases in five different states, biologist for New Mexico State earned an AA from Boston University Junior Game and Fish. Jeffers has College, a BS from Salem State University over 25 years of field and a M. Ed. from Utah State University. He Above: Ken Beaton proudly models the experience as a biologist cowboy hat he purchased at Marbee's working with both avian and Department Store in the fashion center of Battle Mountain almost 45 years ago. mammalian species. She Left: Battle Mountain High School sign with the came to Nevada in Longhorn water tower in the distance. 2001 and has been the Western Region wildlife biologist for Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) for the past sixteen 4 (Continued on page 5) Photo: Ken Beaton (Continued from page 4) Arcadias Images of Rail series. His images are years. She is responsible for survey, inventory, September 28, 2017 drawn from obscure archives and prized family and conservation of three major groups of Lake Tahoe’s Railroads by Stephen E. Drew photo albums. animals; mammals, reptiles, and birds. As wildlife biologist for NDOW, Jeffers is In the 1870s, the Nevada Comstock Lode created Contact: Bob Nylen: [email protected] responsible for the survey and monitoring of an insatiable appetite for Lake Tahoe's virgin pine or 775/687-4810, ext. 245. all species of birds including owls. She works forests. The timbers would extensively with the abandoned mine program shore up underground Also on September 28 at the conducting surveys for the winged mammals mining and build Nevada State Railroad Museum... communities approaching and schedules, coordinates, and locates 1 – 2:30 pm: Shop Talk with Stephen E. Drew 40,000 inhabitants. funding for wildlife compatible gates in her and Chris DeWitt; includes book signing. area of responsibility in order to protect Railroads on three shores important colonies of bats and owl roosts delivered the logs lakeside, Come to the Nevada State Railroad Museum to from human disturbance. where they were towed by learn about the Glenbrook, a wood-burning steam-powered tugs to steam locomotive built in 1875, that played an *Please be aware that for the safety of the sawmills, to lumber flumes, important role in delivering timber from the owls and the audience, photography will and again by rail to their final destinations. As the shores of Lake Tahoe for the mines of the not be permitted at this lecture. mines and giant lake pines subsided, railroads Comstock Lode. Contact: George Baumgardner, PhD pushed farther north after 1898 into new timber The Glenbrook spent decades on display outside [email protected] stands in the Lake Tahoe and Truckee River basins. the Nevada State Museum until 1980 when the or 775/687-4810, ext. 236. Other rail lines were sold, barged across the lake, staff and volunteers at the Nevada State Railroad and repurposed for the burgeoning new industry of Museum began the process of painstakingly tourism. For the next 40 years, railroads marketed restoring the Glenbrook. Staff completed the

Thank you! Lake Tahoe as their unique scenic destination. restoration in 2015. Annual Appeal Stephen E. Drew has been researching railroads of Explore the Glenbrook under steam while Donor Update the Comstock and Lake Tahoe region for 45 years. learning about its unique history and restoration He recently retired after 35 years as chief curator of process in a relaxed setting. Hear about the The Board of Museums and History, museum staff, and volunteers thank our the California State Railroad Museum. He is the history of the Glenbrook by noted railroad Annual Appeal contributors for supporting author of Nevada's Virginia & Truckee Railroad in historian Stephen E. Drew and the restoration the museum. Donations safeguard process from Chief Mechanical Officer, Chris irreplaceable collections, produce engaging DeWitt. This is your opportunity to ask questions exhibits, and support inspiring education and enjoy a casual conversation with Stephen & programs. Contributions also serve as Chris. Not to be missed! valuable endorsements of the museum’s Contact: Adam Michalski: 775/687-6953 ext. 224 role in educating residents, school children, or [email protected]. and tourists about what makes Nevada unique from any other place in the world. The Carson & Tahoe Lumber & Fluming Catherine Fawcett Louise Inman Company train crew gladly volunteered for Sunday picnic duty in July 1896. (Photo courtesy Anita E. Habberfield Daniel Kappes California State Railroad Museum) 5 Margaret Holsclaw Angelo Petrini A Barefoot Mannequin: Completing the Look

by Jeanette McGregor, Exhibits Preparator When exhibiting historic clothing, footwear on a mannequin can sometimes be pointless (under a long dress), unnecessary (when you want to focus on the clothing), or just unavailable. In working on the uniformed mannequin for Remembering the Great War: One Hundred Years Later, we knew from the start that he needed boots – one of the key components of this WWI uniform is the cloth puttees that wrap around the top of the boots and the bottom of the pants. Our difficulty came from the design of the mannequin. He has a rod welded to a steel plate that goes from his foot up to his hip. Once he’s dressed, you can’t see the rod and it looks like he’s standing at attention. Unfortunately, the rod supporting the mannequin has to go through the bottom of one boot and you certainly can’t drill a hole in an artifact! Curator of Clothing and Textiles, Jan Loverin, came to the rescue with a thrift store find – a solid pair of leather ranching style lace-up boots. Looking past the decorative stitching on the toe box, heavily textured heel, and extra flaps of leather, she could see the potential in this pair. She brought them down to me in the basement. After cleaning them, I set to work. I cut the flaps off and, following some discussion with fellow preparator Dave Shipman, chose some flexible grey caulking to hide Top: Cool boots, but from the wrong era. both the fancy stitching and the textured sides and back. Gary Cain of Westwall Militaria Above: Turning bumpy and decorated leather smooth advised me on the appropriate color and finish and the end result is a pair of passable required a couple of coats of caulk. military style boots from 1917, which we could drill a hole through in good conscience. Left: After painting, the finished product - a reasonable approximation of a 1917 military style boot, complete Going to this effort means we could exhibit a complete uniform – in this case with with wrapped puttees. 6 replacement boots – and avoid the distraction of a barefoot mannequin. Welcome to the Newest Members of the Nevada State Museum Basic Isabel Espinoza Loretta Low Cliff & Lisa Smith Kimberly K. Everett Ronald Lynch Clarence I. “Bud” Southard Michael Abel Victoria Ford Chris MacKenzie Fred & Kathy Steinle Lynn Ahnen Jesse & Sondra Garner Janet McCormick Tim Stevenson Joey, Lila, Jamie, & Johnny Allen Julie A. Grady Julie Mathes Tom & Jane Sweeney James Argenbright Jude & Dan Greytak John Mayes Elizabeth Tetz Patricia Atkinson Julie & Rick Gutierrez Joy A. McClain Kitty Tinsley Jean & John Barrette Anita E. Habberfield Charles & Mary McGranaghan Oz Tinsley Darla Bayer Janine Louise Harte Larry & Patricia Metzger Barbara Tomac Tracy Benedict Mike Hendrick Marla Miles Jay R. & Dawn R. Van Sickle Teilhard Benkovich Robert Heywood Margie Nowick Rebecca Van Sickle Jerd Bright Gina Hill Doris & Spencer Odermann Sarah K. Walker Tim & Jean Brown Kevin Hill Darrell & Janis L. Odum Barbara Cavanagh Betty Holmes Richard & Lisa Perry Richard & Lorraine Courtney Sustaining Bess Inouye Lavina Roach Colleen Cripps Randy & Barbara Carter Christine Jackson Bonnie L. Rogers Maryjane Dorofachuk Myron & Sue Freedman Jerry Jewkes Ray Schmidt Samantha Duncan Jerrold Zell & Helen Trop-Zell Dennis & Janice Johnson Donald M. Scott Carol & Russ Dyer Betsy Katz Rebecca Seifert Sandra Edwards Contributing Jennifer Kersten Michael Shaughnessy Dr. Paul Egkamp & Stephanie Ted & Francine Gray Carrie & Rod Lambourne Donald L. & Karen Sinnar Jensen Richard Long Charles H. & Maureen Smith

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Basic Kathleen & Charlie Noneman Dirk & Autumn Roper Patron Clifford Runkle Roland & Glenda Sammelman Jo Adamczyk Robert Stoldal Tom & Elizabeth Strekal Michael & Dawna Shaughnessy Thomas G. & Phyllis Cates Margaret Tamori Gilbert & Annette Yanuck Marshall A. Fey Benefactor Barbara & Barry Fleischer Sustaining Contributing Jed & Susie Block Grace Fujii Patty Cafferata David & Victoria Jones Robert A. Guernsey Bud & Jean Hamilton Francis & Lennoe Quillinan Janice Hoke Virgil & Linda Johnson Mark & Anne Bacon Gay & Wendy Iames Steve McCutcheon & Kirsten Shull James & Debra Keck Bud & Bonnie Reickhoff 7 Diane Kirker

dls $8.00 Free Adults )(17 under & Free Children Members Christ Thanksgiving, Closed Sunday through Open 8:30 amto4:30pmTuesday 89701-4004 Carson City, Nevada CarsonStreet 600 North BA2940

775/687-4810 Sue Ann Monteleone, Fax 775/687-4168 Registrar, ext. 240 www.museums.nevadaculture.org/nsmcc [email protected]

Myron Freedman Robert Nylen, Museum Director, ext. 226 Curator of History, ext. 239 [email protected] [email protected]

George Baumgardner, Charmain Phillips, Curator of Natural History, ext. 236 Museum Store Manager and [email protected] Facility Use Coordinator, ext. 244

[email protected] Day mas, andNew Year’s Mary W. Covington Membership Coordinator, ext. 224 Vacant

[email protected] Curator of Education, ext. 237 $60 $35 $20 Memberships: senior family individual [email protected] Ray Geiser, Exhibits Manager, ext. 252 Indian Hills Curatorial Center [email protected] 775/687-3002

Eugene M. Hattori, Marjorie Russell Clothing and Textile Curator of Anthropology, ext. 230 Research Center [email protected] 775/687-6173

Rich Parker, Anthropology Resource Center Facility Supervisor, ext. 254 775/687-4810, ext. 229 [email protected] Bretzlaff History Resource Center

775/687-4810, ext. 239 or 240 Jan Loverin, Curator of Clothing and Textiles, Natural History Resource Center 687-6173 [email protected] 775/687-4810, ext. 236

The Nevada State Museum The Friends of the Museum members in Carson City is an agency Nevada State Museum, receive the Mint Edition CONTACT the MUSEUM... MUSEUM... the CONTACT of the Division of Museums a 501(c)(3) private as a benefit of and History within the nonprofit organization, membership if they Nevada Department of supports the museum provide an email Tourism & Cultural Affairs. through volunteer address. The museum engages assistance, fundraising, diverse audiences in and advocacy. For Newsletter staff: understanding and information contact Bob Mary W. Covington, celebrating Nevada’s Hilderbrand, Chair at Editor natural and cultural [email protected]. Jeanette McGregor, heritage. Design

State of Nevada The Nevada State Brian Sandoval Museum publishes the Please address all Governor Mint Edition newsletter newsletter for the purpose of communications to: Nevada Department of highlighting museum Tourism & Cultural Affairs exhibits, education Mary W. Covington Claudia Vecchio programs, special Nevada State Museum Department Director events, and collection 600 North Carson Street

activities. Carson City, Nevada Division of Museums and 89701-4004 History The publication is 775/687-4810 ext. 224 8 Peter Barton available online at Fax 775-687-4168 [email protected] Division Administrator www.nevadaculture.org.