Around the Arch Blog

The City of Reno formally celebrates its history during the month of May. Part of the celebration is recognizing individuals for distinguished service and advocacy in historically related projects.

Since 1997, the Historical Resources Commission has recognized property owners and preservationists through the annual awards program. At today’s Reno City Council meeting, four awards were presented to the following deserving individuals:

Alicia Baldrica, Deputy State Historic Preservation Officer – Distinguished Service Award
The Distinguished Service Award recognizes an individual or group that have shown through their work a career in preservation that has resulted in the preservation of structures, education and other related preservation activities.

Ed Bath – Advocate Award
The Advocate Award recognizes an individual or group that has through education, deeds or specific historic restoration(s) increased the public awareness of historic preservation with the community.

Chism Residence – Residential Award
The Residential Award recognizes an outstanding renovation, restoration or preservation of a single family home or multi-family residential building.

Humphrey House – Historical Landmark Award
The Historical Landmark Award recognizes structures, landscapes, objects, etc. that are considered to be of citywide, state or regional significance.

Urging all citizens to join the City of Reno and Nevada in recognizing and observing the importance of historic preservation, Mayor Cashell proclaims May 2010 as National Historic Preservation Month.

Historic preservation is an effective tool for managing growth and sustainable development, revitalizing neighborhoods, fostering local pride, and maintaining community character while enhancing livability.

“Old is the New Green” is the theme for National Preservation Month 2010 which is co-sponsored by the Historical Resources Commission in Reno and the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

The Historical Resources Commission is the official advisor to the City of Reno on matters relating to the historic preservation of cultural resources and buildings. To learn more visit www.reno.gov, click “Government,” then select “Community Development,” and “Historical Resources.”

During the recent discussions about the RSCVA’s new marketing tagline, I’ve heard some people express concern over the possibility of losing the City’s nickname, “The Biggest Little City in the World.”

I want to reassure everyone that no matter what direction the RSCVA takes in their marketing campaign, the City of Reno is committed to protecting and promoting its 80 year-old slogan. In fact, part of the action plan for this year’s Communications Priority includes updating intellectual property policies and procedures and making sure we’ve got appropriate copyright protection. Read the rest of this entry »

For Memorial weekend, I had a great time camping, visiting with friends, and exploring some of our beautiful area. During my little four day vacation, I went to some nearby historical mines – Nightengale Mine and M.G.L. Mine. If you haven’t had the opportunity to see these places and are interested in this type of thing, I would recommend taking the short little trip. While there, I was amazed at the history and couldn’t help but think of how life once was and how the people that lived during that time worked so hard. They built amazing structures with such limited resources. They also had to travel so far for necessities. All these thoughts came to my mind while knowing how important it is to honor those that help preserve history. With that said, in May the City of Reno formally celebrated its history. Our City Council honored the month and also recognized individuals in our community for their contribution. I’d like to acknowledge those individuals and thank them. Cheers to history and those that help preserve it!

The award winners:
• Nancy “Nan” Spina – Distinguished Service Award
• Kelly Rae and Pamela Haberman from HabeRae Investments, Inc. – Advocate Award
• Ginsberg/Cassity Home (Mr. and Mrs. Cassity) – Residential Award
• Lane Building at 401 West 2nd Street (University of Nevada Reno) – Non-residential Award
• St. Thomas Aquinas Cathedral at 310 West 2nd Street (Catholic Diocese of Reno) – Non-Residential Award
• Lake Mansion at 250 Court Street (VSA Arts of Nevada) – Historic Landmark Award
• Linda P. Newman, Map Librarian from the University of Nevada, Reno – Historical Resources Award