Featuring programs designed to tell the real story of the American West, the museum is dedicated to connecting people to the relevance and importance of the Comstock story through its authentic preservation, interpretive programs and exhibits, and archival resources.
ORAL HISTORY
Trained volunteers are continuing the collection of oral history from graduates of the Fourth Ward School and local residents. University of Nevada, Reno, has conducted a number of interviews since the 1980s.
SCHOLAR IN RESIDENCE
With funding from the Nevada Humanities Committee, our scholar-in-residence has researched the story of the Virginia City’s Fourth Ward School. The story is told in a booklet, traveling exhibit, student docent manual, web site, annotated bibliography, and lectures.
STUDENT DOCENT
Seventh and eighth grade students at Virginia City Middle School provide tours for school groups from all over Nevada and parts of California. The program began in 1998 to encourage an interest by local students in the history of their town and to provide experience in public speaking, research, and community involvement. This program has been temporarily discontinued.
TEACHING RESOURCES
Overview – Craig Rock
The Comstock: A Historic Overview – Ron James
In 1859, placer miners and prospectors in the western Great Basin made two remarkable strikes of gold and silver ore breaching a mountain’s slope. It was the culmination of regional discoveries and excitement that began a decade before with the famed California Gold Rush of 1849. That earlier phenomenon transformed North American society and politics, forever changing the center of gravity of the maturing nation.
Modern Mining: An Interactive Exhibit Available in the Mining Gallery
This exhibit tells the story of the various steps in modern mining. Click on the link to see the text and images. Come and visit the Historic Fourth Ward School Museum to play with the exhibit and to see more. [http://www.fourthwardschool.org/history/]
Lessons:
Teaching English in the 19th Century – Christine Prater
Steam Power – Camille Stegman (with intro by Ron James)
Sierra Timber on the Comstock – Craig Rock
Medical Practices in the late 19th Century – Christy Ann Strange
Geology, Discovery and Development of the Comstock – Bernard Young
