Regional events celebrate Archaeology Awareness month in May

The Nevada State Historic Preservation Office announces its first monthlong celebration of Archaeology Awareness and Historic Preservation Month in May.

Reservations are needed for events at the state museum in Carson City. Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors and free for children 18 and under. Call 687-4810.

• Every Friday at 1:30 p.m.: The Anthropology Program of the Nevada State Museum, Department of Cultural Affairs, at 600 N. Carson St. will provide "behind-the-scenes" tours of its stored treasures and seldom seen artifacts including Great Basin basketry and artifacts excavated from the former Carson City Mint and the Santini incised-stones collection.

• May 18: Come to the official opening of the exhibit "Interwoven: Visions of the Great Basin Basketmakers" from 5:30-7 p.m., at the museum. The exhibit features more than 180 contemporary and traditional baskets from May 12-Aug. 7. Free on May 18.

• May 18: Celebrate International Museums Day at the Nevada State Museum from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Admission for the day is free.

• May 19: At 7 p.m., internationally known basket artist Jackie Abrams will give a slide presentation "Adventures with Paper: Explorations of Traditional and Contemporary Basketry" at the museum. Admission required.

• May 20-21: From 9 a.m.-4 p.m., internationally known basket artist Jackie Abrams will teach a workshop entitled "Paint and Plait: Bias Plaited Baskets" at the museum. Advanced registration, and a fee are required. Call Eileen Brilliant at (530) 544-5145 to enroll.

• May 23: Dr. Tim Canaday, lead archaeologist for the Klamath Falls Resource Area of the Bureau of Land Management will give a presentation on "Operation Indian Rocks" at 7:30 p.m. at the museum. The presentation details story of a three-year investigation and successful prosecution of six individuals who systematically looted 22 archaeological sites on federal land in California and Nevada.

At Lake Tahoe

• May 14: Thunderbird Lodge, 1.8 miles south of Sand Harbor State Park at Lake Tahoe, will have an open house and presentation. Cost is a $5 per person. Call Doug Horn at 832-8750 for times.

In Washoe County

• May 9ÐMay 30: Historic Reno Preservation Society celebrates the month with walking tours of historic Reno, $10 for nonmembers. Call 747-4478 to reserve a spot.

• May 13: Take a walking tour of Sparks' historic business district at 11 a.m. Scott Carey of the City of Sparks will lead the walk. Call Carey at 353-2340 for information.

• Ranger John Keesee, of Washoe County Parks, will lead tours of Bowers Mansion from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Tours cost $5 for adults; $ 4 for children and seniors. Call John Keesee at 849-1825.

• May 20: Nevada Civil War Volunteers will be at Bowers Mansion to present a living-history program of a soldier's life in the 1860s from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Call John Keesee at 849-1825 for more. Also: Take the "Washoe Valley History Hike" starting at 10 a.m. at Davis Creek Park. Call Jerry Buzzard at 849-1929.

• May 20: Tour the 1877 Lake Mansion at 250 Court St. between 2-5 p.m. Call Tammy Lindsay at 826-6100. Also, attend the 1 p.m. dedication of the Jacob Davis historic marker at 211 N. Virginia St. Call Mella Harmon at 688-1191.

• May 21: Jan Loverin, curator for the Marjorie Russell Clothing and Textile Center, presents a slide program on the creation of riveted clothing, at 3 p.m. at the Wilbur May Museum at Rancho San Rafael Park in north Reno. Call Bob Harmon at 828-6642.

For a complete list of Archaeology Awareness and Historic Preservation Week activities in Nevada contact Alice Baldrica at 684-3444 or go online at www.NevadaCulture.org.