Nevadans for Cultural Preservation

April 2026

Speaker Series presentation by Sarah Branch, Broadbent & Associates, Inc.

What Time Do We Eat? A Practical Chronology for Towle’s Log Cabin Syrup Cans and Other Historic Pantry Staples

When it comes to historic-period archaeological sites, the humble can scatter can provide a buffet of information about who ate what when. The Simonis (1997) condensed and evaporated milk can chronology and the Hills Bros. coffee can chronology developed by Lanford and Mills (2006) can be invaluable in figuring out when people had their meals, but what about the other cans in this hypothetical scatter? If you’re lucky, some of these cans might look like little houses. The iconic log cabin shape of Towle’s Log Cabin Syrup was patented in 1897 and used until 1956, which makes for a really long meal. Fortunately, changes in the seams, chimney-shaped spout, handle, and labeling mean that the earliest versions of the log cabin can are distinct from the versions sold after World War II and later reproductions. And just like Hills Bros., other coffee companies changed their labels and packaging just enough to tease out when in the nineteenth or twentieth century people sat down for their eggs and bacon. Using well-preserved examples of various can types, advertising images, patent information, and a generous helping of information from other researchers, I will be presenting the most helpful attributes to be noted when using can scatters to figure out when people sat down to eat.

Watch the recording on our YouTube Channel here. 

April 2026

Nevadans for Cultural Preservation (NVFCP), with the assistance of Ashley Lee, organized a Tecopa Kilns Clean Up on April 25, 2026. Volunteers from NVFCP were joined by members of Dunes and Trails UTV Club, Southern Nevada Off Road Trailing (SNOT), SNOT Ladies, Big Rig Vegas Off Road, and Vegas Toyota Off Road (VTO), all coming together to support the effort.

The day’s goal was to clear vegetation from around the historic kilns and remove spray paint graffiti from parking area boulders and the informational kiosk. Volunteers met in the morning and spent the day working together to complete these important tasks.

In total, 14 volunteers participated, alongside Rayette Martin from NVFCP and three U.S. Forest Service employees. The group contributed 84 volunteer hours, reflecting the strong commitment and dedication of everyone involved.

Thanks to this collaborative effort, the Tecopa Kilns area is cleaner, better preserved, and more welcoming for visitors.

April 2026

NVFCP was pleased to provide both classroom and hands-on training in basic graffiti removal for employees from the Bureau of Land Management’s Red Rock and Sloan Field Office.

We’re proud to share our experience in support of cleanup efforts across our public lands.

If you represent a land management agency and are interested in graffiti removal training, we’d love to hear from you. Please contact us at [email protected].

April 2026

This spring’s social was a great success, with attendees enjoying delicious pizza at Aces & Ales on Tenaya. One of the highlights of the evening was the opportunity to mentor a high school student interested in becoming an archaeologist—an inspiring moment for everyone involved.

It was a fun and meaningful gathering, and a great time was had by all.

We’re already looking forward to the next social in July—hope to see you there!

April 2026

April 2026

On an excessively windy and cool Sunday, four determined volunteers arrived at the Little Red Rock area ready to make a difference. Despite the blustery conditions, the group got to work clearing away broken glass, scattered clay pigeons, and other small debris that had built up over time.

The effort paid off. Bucket after bucket of trash was collected, leaving the landscape noticeably cleaner and more inviting. Just as the team wrapped up their work, a rainstorm began to roll in—perfect timing and a fitting end to a productive day.

It’s easy to overlook small pieces of litter, but every hour spent picking up debris adds up in a big way. With each outing, the area looks more cared for, and that sense of stewardship grows stronger.

Thank you to everyone who showed up and put in the effort. Your work truly makes a difference.

Supporting Conservation at Little Red Rock

Despite a heat warning across the valley, more than a dozen dedicated employees participated in this year’s Howard Hughes Service Day in partnership with NVFCP. The group spent the morning learning about local preservation efforts before rolling up their sleeves to help clean up debris at Little Red Rock.

The day offered not only an opportunity to give back, but also a chance to better understand the delicate balance of our desert ecosystem. Along the way to the cleanup site, the group encountered a desert tortoise—an unforgettable moment that turned into a valuable learning experience.

Desert tortoises, a threatened species in our region, have a unique and fragile survival mechanism. When picked up or handled, they may release their stored water as a defense response. Because water is so scarce in the desert, this loss of hydration can be life-threatening and, in some cases, fatal. Observing the tortoise in its natural habitat reinforced the importance of respecting wildlife and maintaining a safe distance.

Events like Service Day highlight the meaningful impact that community involvement can have on conservation efforts. Even under challenging conditions, the team’s commitment made a difference—helping preserve the natural beauty of Little Red Rock for generations to come.

March 2026

Speaker Series Presentation by Courtney Mooney MS, AICP
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This presentation provided a narrative for the rise and fall of the drive-in theater in the United States as a mid-century cultural phenomenon that capitalized on America’s love of the automobile and personal freedom, and new-found leisure time. Drive-in theaters had an especially large impact on rural towns, drawing together community members who might not otherwise mingle for family-friendly entertainment and relaxation. The location and types of known drive-in theaters in Nevada were discussed within a larger national context, and an analysis of the Sagecrest Drive-in Theater in Yerington, Nevada, as a rural theater that exemplifies the national trends in drive-in theater popularity, was provided.

Watch a recording of this presentation on our YouTube Chanel here. 

Image: Sagecrest Drive-in from 2004. Photographer is Rob McQueen

March 2026

There are weekends that leave you tired—and then there are weekends that leave you tired and inspired. Our recent volunteer project in Basin and Range National Monument was definitely the latter.

With a small but incredibly determined crew, we set out to make a tangible difference across some of Nevada’s most culturally significant landscapes. What we accomplished in just a few days was nothing short of remarkable.

Friday kicked things off with equal parts logistics and hands-on preservation. After receiving signage installation materials and setting up camp, the team got straight to work addressing a sensitive issue—graffiti near ancient petroglyphs. With permission and careful techniques, the damage was camouflaged, helping restore dignity to these irreplaceable cultural expressions.

Saturday was the kind of day that tests both grit and teamwork. At Mount Irish Archaeological District, volunteers spent the entire day installing six interpretive signs along a 1.5-mile trail that winds through four distinct petroglyph sites. The trail begins and ends at the campground, but there was nothing easy about the work in between. Every post hole had to be dug by hand. Concrete had to be mixed and poured. Tools and materials had to be carried in on foot. It was physical, demanding labor—but no one backed down. By the end of the day, the trail had been transformed into a richer, more informative experience for future visitors.

Sunday morning arrived with sore muscles and a shared sense of purpose. The group split into two teams to cover even more ground. One headed to White River Narrows Archaeological District, where they with permission successfully removed spray paint from seven boulders—another step toward preserving the integrity of these sacred and historic sites. 

The second group focused on a historic cabin in the Mount Irish area, removing fire rings that had been built far too close to the fragile structure. It was a sobering reminder of how easily human activity can put these places at risk. Just last year, a large wildfire—caused by human activity—burned through the surrounding area. Thankfully, the cabin was spared. This time, prevention was the priority.

Throughout the weekend, one thing was clear: this work doesn’t happen without people who care deeply and are willing to act on that care. Our volunteers showed up, worked hard, and left these areas better than they found them.

We’re incredibly grateful for this small but mighty group. Their efforts ensure that visitors today—and for years to come—can experience these landscapes with the respect, understanding, and sense of wonder they deserve.

March 2026

The dust had barely settled after this year’s Mint 400 when a different kind of crew rolled in—not for speed or spectacle, but for stewardship.

NVFCP was proud to take part in the post-race cleanup, and it quickly became clear that this effort was about far more than picking up debris. It was about education, connection, and a shared commitment to protecting Nevada’s desert landscapes.

Organized by our partners at the Nevada Offroad Association, the cleanup brought together around 20 dedicated volunteers. Armed with gloves, bags, and a strong sense of responsibility, this group set out with a simple but powerful goal: leave the desert better than they found it.

What made this year especially meaningful for NVFCP was the opportunity to share an often-overlooked perspective—the difference between historic artifacts and modern trash. Out in the field and through a short PSA video, we helped participants understand that not everything old should be removed. In a place as rich in history as Nevada, even a rusted can or weathered fragment can tell a story. Knowing what to leave behind is just as important as knowing what to pack out.

The volunteers embraced that message wholeheartedly. Their enthusiasm and willingness to learn underscored something we’ve long believed: responsible recreation isn’t a burden—it’s a point of pride. It’s how we ensure that public lands remain accessible, enjoyable, and meaningful for generations to come.

This wasn’t just a cleanup. It was a reminder that preservation and recreation can go hand in hand when people care enough to do things the right way. The individuals who showed up that day weren’t just volunteers—they were stewards, leaders, and advocates for Nevada’s future.

Watch the Facebook Video here