The Comstock Foundation continues to encourage the preservation of the Virginia City National Historic Landmark District. If you would like to support the preservation of the historic and cultural resources associated with one of these outstanding organizations on the Comstock, please contact the organization’s director.

Nine Cheers Painting

In 2015 for Nevada’s sesquicentennial celebration, the Comstock Foundation, Comstock Mining, and local renowned Nevada artist, Steven Saylor, embarked on a project that celebrated the 150th anniversary of Nevada statehood. Steven Saylor of Dayton was commissioned to paint “Nine Cheers for the Silver State.” Saylor’s painting takes its title from a headline that appeared in the Gold Hill Daily News on October 31, 1864 and features Comstock Foundation’s board members, political dignitaries, and past governors of the State of Nevada posed in period clothing at the Cobb Mansion in Virginia City, Nevada. The paintings were then sold to help raise funds for the Comstock Foundation for History and Culture.

The image features current governor, Brian Sandoval, former governors Paul Laxalt, Bob List (and his dog Sunshine), Dick Bryan, and Bob Miller, current U.S. senators, Harry Reid and Dean Heller, and U.S. Congressman Mark Amodei. The painting also features former first ladies Dema Guinn and Dawn Gibbons, representing those two administrations, and Comstock Foundation directors Corrado De Gasperis, John Winfield, and Ron James. Sandoval is signing a proclamation announcing Nevada’s admission to the Union. If you are interested in purchasing a print of the “Nine Cheers for the Silver State” or a framed print, matted with two Comstock Mining minted coins made of pure Comstock Silver, please contact steve@comstockfoundation.org. Only 10 framed prints with the two coins left!

Framed Print

The Historical Society of Dayton Valley

The Dayton Historical Society is one of the nine Comstock organizations that received Comstock Foundation’s support through fundraising efforts at the Upper Yellow Jacket Restoration Project reception on April 4, 2014 at the Gold Hill Hotel. This image of the entrance to the Sutro Tunnel, near Dayton, captures the place in the 1930s, thanks to the collection at the Comstock Historic District Commission. The tunnel was started in 1869, completed in 1878, extends roughly 3.5 miles, and still passively drains Comstock mines at the 1,600-foot level. The Historical Society of Dayton Valley is the keeper of Dayton’s rich history that is critical to the birth of the Comstock. The Society has merged into a partner of the Comstock Foundation and mutual support for each other helps protect and preserve the Legacy of a Nation’s history.

Please contact the director through Daytonnvhistory.org to find out how you can donate to support preservation for the Historical Society of Dayton Valley.

Piper’s Opera House

Piper’s Opera House is a national treasure and is one of the nine Comstock organizations that received Comstock Foundation’s support through fundraising efforts at the Upper Yellow Jacket Restoration Project reception on April 4, 2014 at the Gold Hill Hotel. The Piper’s Opera house has numerous projects in great need of support. This photo of Piper’s Opera House is courtesy of the Comstock Historic District Commission and its Walt Mulchay collection dating to the 1930s and the 1940s. Thanks to a lot of work over the years, dedicated people saving this treasure, and sharing it with the public, this amazing historic opera house in Virginia City looks better than this today, but much more needs to be done. The Piper’s Opera House is owned by Storey County and the Virginia City Tourism Council.

Please contact the director through Pipersoperahouse.net to find out how you can donate to support preservation for Piper’s Opera House.

Piper’s Opera House

Comstock Firemen’s Museum

The Comstock Firemen’s Museum is one of the nine Comstock organizations that received Comstock Foundation’s support through fundraising efforts at the Upper Yellow Jacket Restoration Project reception on April 4, 2014 at the Gold Hill Hotel. The organization tends to an important territorial-era building and a remarkable collection of fire-fighting memorabilia. It is important to support these sorts of organizations. Recently, the organization rebuilt the porch that once adorned the front of the building.

Please contact the director through Comstockfiremuseum.com to find out how you can donate to support preservation for Comstock Firemen’s Museum.

Comstock Fireman’s Museum

Fourth Ward School

The Historic Fourth Ward School Museum Foundation has won national awards for its excellence, but the old building, opened in 1877, continues to need help. The Historic Fourth Ward School Museum and Archives is one of nine Comstock organizations that received Comstock Foundation’s support through fundraising efforts at the Upper Yellow Jacket Restoration Project reception on April 4, 2014 at the Gold Hill Hotel. The Fourth Ward is an enormous building with constant maintenance needs. Recently, the Comstock Foundation installed improved insulation for its doors, in an effort to conserve heating costs. Although the project cost several thousand dollars, it will help in years to come. And there is less dust!

Please contact the director through Fourthwardschool.org to find out how you can donate to support preservation for Fourth Ward School.

St. Mary’s Art Center in the Historic St. Mary’s Louise Hospital

The Art Center in the old St. Mary’s Hospital has done great work since the 1960’s when it was transformed into an art center. It deserves community support and support from all over because it is a unique art center interlaced with historic appeal. St. Mary’s Art Center is one of nine Comstock organizations that received Comstock Foundation’s support through fundraising efforts at the Upper Yellow Jacket Restoration Project reception on April 4, 2014 at the Gold Hill Hotel. The Art Center has enormous construction and restoration needs. The Comstock Foundation has been providing assistance with renovation and preservation projects.

Please contact the director through Stmarysartcenter.org to find out how you can donate to support preservation for St. Mary’s Art Center in the St. Mary’s Louise Hospital.

St. Mary’s Art Center

Gold Hill Depot

Storey County now owns the Gold Hill Depot and in June of 2016, opened it as a venue option on the Comstock. The Comstock Foundation contributed in-kind construction labor for some of the preliminary renovations and construction work that helped prepare it for public use. With a capacity of roughly 200, the Gold Hill Depot shares a piece of Comstock history and the V&T Railroad. Today, the Virginia City Tourism Commission manages the property.

Go to visitvirginiacity.com for more information on how to rent this facility.

Gold Hill Depot

How you can help:

Please consider donating to help with our restoration projects: