ALHFAM Western Region Meeting
September 27th- 30th, 2017
“Hit Pay Dirt”
Mining Memorable Moments for Visitors
Carson City, Nevada
Association for Living History, Farm and Agricultural Museums, (ALHFAM) Western Region is hosting the Annual Conference in Carson City, Nevada. ALHFAM is the foremost organization in the field of historical interpretation. You will find this to be a relaxed group of individuals with a serious interest in presenting history to audiences of all sizes and backgrounds. The sessions are designed to stimulate thought and give information on new ways to reach your audience. We hope that you will not only attend our meeting, but come away with new ideas to present thought-provoking programs to the public.
Carson City
Carson City is our host site for the 2017 ALHFAM conference.Carson City was a significant town in western history, whose growth was influenced by “geography and geology.” In 1843, the John Fremont expedition came through the area and named Carson River in honor of Kit Carson, a mountain man and scout. For those traveling to California during the gold rush, the valley was a welcome oasis after the long trek across the deserts of the Great Basin. Many rested and re-supplied in Carson City before the final, difficult climb over the Sierra Nevada.
The area grew significantly after 1859, when gold prospectors discovered silver at Virginia City. This “rush” was followed by the boom of gold and silver production in Bodie during the late 1870’s.With so much capital flowing into the area, the United States Mint operated in Carson City between 1870 and 1893. Carson City became a major transportation hub as well, first with a Pony Express stop and two major stage lines. Later the Virginia and Truckee Railroad connected Carson City and Virginia City.
Travel to Carson City:
Carson City is 45 minutes from the Reno Airport,and shuttle service from the airport is available. For those flying, we would appreciate if you would coordinate transportation with others flying, and share rental cars. This conference is a “working fieldtrip” and for those who want to go to Bodie State Historic Park near Bridgeport, Calif. (see details below), and Virginia City, rental cars will be needed for shared transportation.
We will help connect those flying in, to coordinateautos if need be.
Carson City Weather:
September in Carson City is characterized by daily high temperatures from 74°F to 84°F over the course of the month, and rarely exceeding 91°F or dropping below 61°F. We will travel to the higher altitudes of Bodie (8,375 ft.) and Virginia City (6,220 ft.) where temperatures can be cooler and windy. This is the High Desert and you need to be ready for anything. Bringing a jacket is a good idea.
Accommodations:
The Plaza Hotel, Carson City
801 S Carson St, Carson City, NV 89701
775.883.9500 (Local)
888.227.1499 (Toll-Free, available 24 hours)
From Tuesday 9/26- Thursday 9/28, the rate is $74.00 plus tax. Friday and Saturday, rate is $84.00 plus11% tax. Please note there is a fee ($10) foreach additional person after first two people.
Call or make your reservations online at
CODE: ALHFAM0917
Rooms need to be booked by August 20th for this SPECIAL RATE.
Your credit card for the rooms will be charged 48 hours before the reservation date.
The Plaza Hotel offers complimentary coffee and tea in the lobby, 24- hours a day. The rate includes complimentary wireless internet and complimentary continental breakfast with homemade waffles, hot and cold cereals, hard boiled eggs, yogurts, English muffins, orange juice and other beverages. The breakfast is from 6 am - 9 am.
Auction:
Please bring an item to be auctioned off during the meeting. The money raise helps provide a fellowship to allow an ALHFAM Western Region member to attend the annual meeting.
CONFERENCE PROGRAM
Pre-Conference Trip:Bodie CA
Wednesday, September 27th
Bodie began as a small mining camp following the discovery of gold in 1859 by a group of prospectors. In 1876, the newly-formed Standard Company acquired a profitable deposit ofgold-bearingore, which transformed Bodie from an isolatedmining camp comprising a few prospectors and company employees to a Western boomtown.
Bodie: 8:00 am to 5:30 pm:
Meet in front of the Plaza Hotel to leave “8 amsharp”
We will travel to Bodie (two and half hours) arriving at10:30am. We will enjoy a brief history talk, lunch at 11:15 in the park’s meeting room followed by a living history tour of the stamp mill from12:30-1:30pm. Attendees will then have time to wander the park on their own or visit the museum/bookstore before departing at 3:00 pm.
Carson City From 6:00 – 9:00 pm: Meet at theBlack Bear Diner inside the Max Casino across the street from The Plaza Hotel. Join your fellow ALHFAMers for dinner and pick up conference materials. We will be there
From 6 pmuntil 9 pm.
Thursday, September 28
8:30- 9:30 am:
Conference Guest Speaker: Ed Allen, Volunteer Historian at Marshall Gold Discovery State Park.
Ed Allen’s lifelong interest in history began in the 4th grade when his teacher Miss Stein introduced him to California history. He and his wife, Joanne, live in the foothills of the Sierra Nevada near Placerville, California. Ed has taken on the role of James Marshall at Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park in Coloma for the last 13 years. Previously, he and Joanne volunteered for 15 summers at Bodie State Historic Park doing history talks and leading tours of the Standard Stamp Mill. He has accumulated 12,000 hours of volunteer time.
As park historian at Marshall Gold Discovery SHP he teaches new docents and acts as a spokesperson to journalists, film producers, and civic groups.
Ed loves what he does. It is his fervent hope that he can instill in you his passion in the gold discovery and the lives that it changed forever.
9:30 – 1 pm: Conference workshops and lunch in The Plaza Hotel -
Workshops will be forthcoming, as we receive the call for papers.
Nevada State Museum 1:00 pm
The Nevada State Museum in Carson City is a State Museums operated by the Nevada Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs. The primary building of the Museum is the former Carson City Mint.
Thursday Evening
Dinner on your own, everyone may go their own way but several of us will enjoy the famous:
Red’s Old 395 Grill 1055 S Carson St. (Walking distance from The Plaza Hotel.) We have it on good word that food is abundant and ambiance is great. (Sharing dinners is often done due to size)
Red’s Old 395 grill
For other Dining choices:
Friday, September 29
8:30 - 12 pm: Conference workshops and lunch in The Plaza Hotel -
Workshops will be forthcoming, as we receive the call for papers.
12 - 1 pm: Lunch & Western Region ALHFAM meeting
Afternoon
1:30 – 4:30 pm - Sightseeing on your own
Nevada State Museum
Nevada State Railroad Museum
Mill End Fabrics
Children’s Museumof Northern Nevada
Stewart Indian School Complex
Forman-Roberts House
Mormon Station State Historic Park,
A 20-minute drive south from the Nevada State capital in Carson City.
Friday Evening
5:30 pm-8:30pm - The Plaza: Dinner, Auction, and evening entertainment by: CW Bayer of Carson City, Nevada.
CW Bayer of Carson City, Nevada, will present his research into the most important mining song of the 19th Century Far West--"The Days of '49." The talk includes slides of musicians and locations as well as a historically-informed performance of the song on an 1860s gut-strung banjo. You will come away with a deeper understanding of the gold rush, 19th century western mining culture, the rise of vernacular "western" poetry and the lost lore of this pioneer anthem.
He will have a sign-up available for those who wish to purchase (at a discounted price) copies of his books: "The Strychnine Banjo--Jake Wallace, Charley Rhoades and 'The Days of 49'," and "Rhymes from The Silver State--Historical Lyrics."
Saturday September 30th
(Virginia City & Truckee Railroad Train Ride)
8:30 Leave hotel, carpool to Virginia City: (Arrive by 9 am)
All Aboard for a Train Ride back in time from Virginia City to “them thar’ hills of gold!”
Train Time: 10:30 am train departure - Virginia City to Gold Hill Route on the Virginia & Truckee Railroad. This train ride will be a 4-mile round trip, for 35 minutes.We are applying for a group rate for the train ride.
Following the train ride, enjoy a stroll around historic Virginia City,
Things to see & do in Virginia City:
Historic Virginia City Walking Tour - A walking or driving tour of Virginia City highlights the rich Comstock mining history and lets you step back in time. See and learn about some of our most noteworthy sights and structures and hear brief histories designed to give you a sense of what it was like to live in Virginia City during its heyday. Be sure to download the mobile app for the most in-depth history, stories and facts.
Museums –
- Comstock Gold Mill
- Comstock History Center
- Courthouse Slammer and County Museum
- Historic Fourth Ward School Museum
- Julia Bulette Red Light Museum
- LEC #1 Comstock Firemen's Museum/NV State Firemen’s Museum
- The Mackay Mansion
- Mark Twain Museum at the Territorial Enterprise
- Marshall Mint Museum
- Pipers Opera House
- Saint Mary's in the Mountains Catholic Church
- The Washoe Club Haunted Museum
- The Way It Was Museum
- Silver Terrace Cemetery/Gold Hill Cemetery
Our Conference concludes at 12:00 pm. You may stay longer after the train ride and enjoy museums and shops in Virginia City.
Those who carpooled from the airport, can car pool from Virginia City base on flight schedules.
Registration
ALHFAM Member Conference Registration before 8/20/2017 ___ $120.00
Includes: Conference sessions, Wednesday’s dinner, Thursday and Friday lunch.
Friday evening banquet dinner, Saturday train ride.
ALHFAM Member Registration received after 8/20/2017 ____ $135.00
(Includes all of the member items listed above)
Non-ALHFAM Member Conference Registration before 8/20/17___$155.00
Includes: Conference sessions, Wednesday’s dinner, Thursday and Friday lunch. Friday evening banquet dinner, Saturday train ride and a one-year ALHFAM membership.
Additional Guest for Friday dinner banquet _____$25.00
Pre-Conference Trip Bodie (9/27/17, 8am-5:30pm) _____$25.00
Save some petty cash to help your car pool out.
I plan on attending the Wednesday Bodie Field Trip[
YES ______NO ______
Vegan ______Vegetarian ______Other ______
Total Conference Registration $______
I plan on attending the Wednesday evening opening reception:
YES ______NO ______
I plan on attending the Thursday Lunch at The Plaza:
No Box Boxed Lunch Deli-style Ham, Turkey or Roast beef sandwich
Your choice of: Tossed Green salad or Pasta salad or Potato chips and Chef’s Choice dessert
YES ______NO ______
Vegan ______Vegetarian ______Other ______
I plan on attending the Friday Lunch at The Plaza
Fresh Tomato Boat: A fresh tomato filled with fresh Tuna or Chicken salad
Your choice of: Tossed Green salad or Pasta salad, Potato chips and Chef’s Choice dessert
YES ______NO ______
Vegan ______Vegetarian ______Other ______
I plan on attending the Friday evening Banquet at The Plaza
The Fiesta Buffet: Tortilla chips and Salsa Fresco.
Your choice of two: Beef or Chicken Fajitas, Chicken or Cheese Enchiladas, or Beef tacos. Includes: Lettuce, Jalapeno, Cheese, Salsa, Guacamole, Refried Beans and Spanish rice. Chef’s Choice dessert and an open bar available.
Yes______NO______
Vegan ______Vegetarian ______Other ______
Name ______
Affiliation ______
Address ______
City ______State ______Zip ______
Telephone ______FAX ______
Cell ______email ______
Please makechecksto ALHFAM WESTERN REGION andMAILTO:
Mick Woodcock Chief Curator
Sharlot Hall Museum
415 W. Gurley St.
Prescott, AZ 86301
928-445-3122
Please mail or emailregistration formsto:
Linda Evans
High Desert Museum
59800 South HWY 97
Bend, OR 97702
Electronically: