Nevadans for Cultural Preservation

October 2026

NVFCP was honored to host a roundtable discussion at this year’s annual Nevada Museum Association Conference in Mesquite, Nevada. The discussion focused on a growing challenge facing museums and cultural institutions: What happens when people inherit archaeological collections and don’t know what to do with them?

NVFCP opened the discussion by sharing a Facebook post from an individual who had inherited his father’s and grandfather’s collection of Native American stone tools. He wanted to know what to do with the artifacts but was not interested in selling them.

The responses to his post varied widely. Many commenters expressed frustration with museums for accepting objects that never make it onto public display. Others encouraged him to donate the collection to a museum, believing it would make a valuable exhibit.

However, the museum professionals in the room understood that the reality is more complicated. Artifacts removed from their original archaeological context are often difficult to interpret and may not be suitable for museum display. Museums operate under specific missions, and every object they acquire comes with a responsibility to document, preserve, and care for it. Acquisitions require appropriate storage space, funding for collections care, and a clear reason for accepting an object. While some artifacts may be suitable for teaching collections, those collections also have limitations on what they can accommodate.

With representatives from numerous museums and related organizations in attendance, participants shared stories of artifacts and collections arriving unexpectedly—left on doorsteps, mailed to institutions, or bequeathed in wills without any prior communication. They also described phone calls from people who genuinely wanted to do the right thing but, after contacting multiple institutions, had been turned away and were left wondering what to do next.

Although our one-hour discussion did not produce a definitive set of answers or guidelines, it provided a valuable opportunity to connect with colleagues, share concerns about the growing number of artifacts removed from their original context, and recognize the need for a coordinated approach to this issue.

So, what does ethical inheritance look like? How can we help people make informed decisions about inherited archaeological collections while respecting cultural heritage, supporting responsible stewardship, and acknowledging the limitations museums face?

NVFCP will continue collaborating with the professionals who participated in this discussion, along with other interested partners, to explore solutions and develop a protocol for Ethical Inheritance. Our goal is to help individuals navigate these difficult decisions and find responsible pathways for inherited collections, rather than allowing them to be discarded, forgotten, or lost.

This is an important conversation, and we look forward to keeping it going.

Photo: Conference attendees at a tour of the Lost City Museum.

October 2026

"That was so enjoyable, and the perfect blend of learning and doing!" - Local Participant

NVFCP hosted a Prehistoric Hunting Workshop at the historic Depot in Caliente, Nevada, where approximately 20 participants gathered to explore the fascinating world of prehistoric hunting technology.

Experimental archaeologist Angelo Robledo shared his research and expertise in atlatl technology and flintknapping, offering participants an engaging blend of instruction, demonstrations, and hands-on learning.

Guests got to put their new knowledge into practice by crafting their own atlatl darts using bamboo, replica projectile points, turkey feathers, and artificial sinew. After learning about the technology and creating their darts, participants had the chance to test their skills using Angelo’s collection of atlatls and darts to take down a mammoth!

The five-hour workshop flew by, leaving participants eager for more time to practice and refine their skills with this fascinating prehistoric hunting technology, used by people around the world for thousands of years.

With such an enthusiastic response and word spreading about just how much fun the workshop was, NVFCP may bring the event back in 2027. Stay tuned for another opportunity to step into the past and experience prehistoric hunting firsthand!

September 2026

As part of several grant projects, NVFCP Executive Director Rayette Martin has had the opportunity to research and write about Lincoln County history. She was recently invited to table at a community event celebrating the spirit, history, and culture of the area.

The event featured a magnificent collection of photography from the annual photo festival, displayed throughout the historic Caliente Depot. Six authors had tables where they shared their publications with attendees, who also enjoyed light refreshments and jazz music. It was a great opportunity to connect with a variety of community members and share the preservation message.

NVFCP handed out copies of People, Places, and History of Lincoln County, written by Rayette Martin while she was contracted with the Nevada Site Stewardship Program through a Lincoln County Archaeological Initiative (LCAI) grant. Under similar circumstances, Rayette also authored a BLM Archaeology Junior Ranger Book, which was illustrated by NVFCP President Katie Hoffman. She also shared an LCAI funded book by the Nevada Rock Art Foundation titled Rock Art: Ancient Cultural Landscapes of Lincoln County. 

Events like this provide a wonderful opportunity to share the stories and publications that help preserve and celebrate Lincoln County’s rich history.

To learn more about the historic venue, check out the NVFCP history blog article, “Caliente Railroad Depot: Surviving History in Lincoln County.”

Check out the authors: 

September 2026

Managing an important Native American cultural area next to ongoing development is challenging, to say the least.

This month, we welcomed seven individuals to our team to assist with monitoring trespassing activity, damage to the area, trash, trails, and other impacts resulting from human visitation. These specially trained Ambassadors will play an important role in helping guide future management decisions while making invaluable contributions to the preservation and protection of this culturally significant area.

One surprising finding is that people continue to access the area during the summer months, even when temperatures reach triple digits. This continued visitation highlights the importance of monitoring the area and understanding how people are using it throughout the year.

Illegal climbing routes, including some bouldering, are also becoming an increasing concern. We are working with the Southern Nevada Climbing Coalition to explore potential solutions and determine how best to protect the area while addressing these activities.

There are also two fall and winter cleanup events scheduled. Check out our Events page for more information and opportunities to get involved.

September 2026

The Annual Labor Day Festival is the biggest event of the year in Pioche, Nevada, drawing locals and visitors from around the region for a nonstop lineup of events. This year, NVFCP hosted an outreach booth featuring a timeline that connected the history of candy to important dates in both Pioche and U.S. history.

Did you know that Necco Wafers date back to 1847 and the still-beloved Tootsie Roll was introduced in 1896? Between those two dates, the United States experienced the Civil War, Nevada became a state, and the Pioche silver boom brought more than 7,000 people to town. As Pioche grew into a bustling mining community, facilities were built to entertain and serve its residents.

For our presentation, guests got to snack on a variety of historic treats while we explored the stories of two of Pioche’s historic movie houses. NVFCP Executive Director Rayette Martin covered the history of Thompson’s Opera House as well as some of the history of the GEM Theater. She then welcomed guest speaker Daniel Roberts, who shared the story of the GEM’s renovation journey.

Ron Safran took things from there, adding fascinating information about silent-film stars Clara Bow and Rex Bell, who were associated with Walking Box Ranch (1931), a historic ranch in Searchlight, Nevada. The ranch has since been restored, and tours are provided by the Friends of Avi Kwa Ame. Ron also introduced us to the world of silent film through a feature film and several short clips of Clara Bow.

Fun fact: Rex Bell served as Lieutenant Governor of Nevada. Talk about some major Nevada history!

Pioche’s Historic Theaters

Brown Hall was built in 1873 and later became Thompson’s Opera House in 1891. The building was restored with grant funding and reopened for community use in 2009.

The GEM Theater was built in 1937 by neighboring Thompson’s. In 2002, a windstorm damaged the theater’s roof, and the building remained vacant until it was purchased by an individual and donated to the Friends of the Gem Theater, who are currently working to restore it. The organization hosted an open house on the day of our presentation, giving visitors an opportunity to learn more about the theater and its ongoing restoration.

All in all, it was a wonderful experience bringing historical context to both visitors at our outreach booth and those who attended the presentation. Connecting candy, local history, U.S. history, and Pioche’s historic theaters gave us a fun and memorable way to explore how the past continues to shape this unique Nevada community.

August 2026

Speaker Series Presentation by Margo Memmott, RPA with Broadbent

Virginia City, Nevada within the Comstock Mining District has been extensively photographed from the time silver and gold were first discovered in 1859. The subjects of the photographs are vast and include the hulking industrial shaft houses and mills; the Victorian houses, crowded commercial buildings; steam trains spewing thick black smoke; dirty hard-working miners; prominent Euro-American businessmen; and bustling street scenes. In the background of these images, Comstock photographers also sometimes preserved images of the Native American camps where people were living and working in between the mines, haul roads, and railroad tracks. These images demonstrate the cultural persistence of the Northern Paiute in the Great Basin in the face of rapid industrialization and occupation by outsiders.

To watch a video of this presentation click here.  

History Blog Article(Left side; Gabriel Kirellos, Right side; Union Pacific)

By Michael Misanik

Founded at the beginning of the twentieth century, Caliente owes much of its existence to the arrival of the Los Angeles & Salt Lake Railroad. Located in the lush Meadow Valley, the town became an important railroad hub along the line, connecting southeastern Nevada with Utah, Arizona, and California. The arrival of the railroad helped stimulate the region's mining and ranching industries, while Caliente itself developed into an important transportation and hospitality center. The town takes its name from the nearby hot springs and the Spanish word caliente, meaning "hot."

The Caliente Railroad Depot was completed in 1923 in the Spanish Mission Revival style. It was designed by the prominent Los Angeles architectural firm of John and Donald Parkinson, a father-and-son partnership whose work included numerous important buildings throughout Southern California. The imposing depot featured a substantial oak interior and cost more than $80,000 to construct.

The depot replaced an earlier railroad structure that was destroyed by fire on September 9, 1921. The new building was considerably more than a passenger station. For a time, it housed a restaurant and a fifty-room hotel, reflecting Caliente's importance as a railroad stop. 

Its Spanish Mission Revival architecture makes the Caliente depot particularly distinctive among Nevada's historic railroad stations. Rather than following the utilitarian appearance common to many railroad facilities, the building was designed as an imposing architectural and civic landmark, reflecting Caliente's importance as a major railroad community.

July 2026

The quarterly social was held at PKWY Tavern in Henderson, Nevada, bringing together a diverse group of professionals and community members dedicated to cultural resource preservation. Attendees included archaeologists representing land management agencies, universities, cultural resource management firms, utility companies, and the Nevadans for Cultural Preservation (NVFCP). The event also welcomed volunteers and individuals who share a passion for protecting and preserving cultural resources, providing an opportunity to connect, exchange ideas, and strengthen professional and community partnerships. We hope you'll be able to join us at our next event this fall. 

July 2026

The Beyond the Trail: Building Nevada's Outdoor Future Luncheon was an excellent opportunity to share NVFCP's mission of Preservation Through Education while advocating for responsible and sustainable outdoor recreation. We are grateful to Get Outdoors Nevada for making our participation possible.

The event provided valuable opportunities to connect with business owners, community leaders, and outdoor recreation advocates from across Nevada. We were also honored to welcome Congresswoman Susie Lee, who stopped by our booth to learn more about our mission and programs.

With nearly 300 attendees, the luncheon brought together a diverse group of stakeholders invested in the future of Nevada's outdoor spaces. After attendees had the opportunity to visit exhibitor tables and network, the program featured a panel discussion highlighting the economic impact and future opportunities created by Nevada's thriving outdoor recreation economy.

The discussion, facilitated by Get Outdoors Nevada, featured speakers from the Outdoor Business Coalition, The Nature Conservancy, the Nevada Division of Outdoor Recreation, and Get Outdoors Nevada. Their insights emphasized the importance of collaboration, stewardship, and continued investment in Nevada's outdoor recreation industry.

July 2026

Nevadans for Cultural Preservation was invited to present at the Gold Searchers of Southern Nevada monthly meeting.

The meeting was held at the American Legion Post 40 in Henderson, where the preservation message was warmly received. Members asked thoughtful questions and shared their own experiences, leading to an engaging and informative discussion.

The Gold Searchers of Southern Nevada hosts monthly meetings and prospecting outings at several mining claims located approximately one to two hours outside of Las Vegas. Members have access to equipment such as metal detectors and prospecting gear while learning responsible recreation and stewardship practices.

In addition to supporting recreational prospecting, the club participates in community service projects and educates young people about the mining industry, minerals, and the basics of gold panning.

To learn more about the Gold Searchers of Southern Nevada, visit their website here.