Grosh brothers' letters to be unveiled

By Karen Woodmansee

Appeal Staff Writer

A Nevada historic treasure will be unveiled Wednesday at the Nevada Historical Society - the letters of two of the Virginia City area's earliest miners.

Hosea and Ethan Allen Grosh mined in California and Western Utah Territory - now Nevada - and in 1857 they discovered a ledge of silver on what later became known as the Comstock Lode.

They wrote about their lives to friends and families, and now those letters will be unveiled at a reception at 6 p.m. Wednesday at the Nevada Historical Society office, 1650 North Virginia St., Reno.

"The letters are certainly the most significant surviving collection of documents relating to Nevada's early mining history," said Eric Moody, curator of manuscripts for the society. "They were long believed lost until Grosh family descendants disclosed their existence and made them available to the Nevada Historical Society."

The acquisition is the result of 10 years of fundraising to purchase the letters and other documents and bring them back to Nevada.

The state Legislature appropriated funds in 2005 and support from individuals and private foundations made all the difference.

The reception will honor Charles Wegman and Naomi Thompson, the Grosh family descendants who aided the society's acquisition of the papers.

"This event will also provide an opportunity for the Nevada Historical Society to publicly recognize and thank all those who were involved in the Grosh letters acquisition and offer an occasion for comment on the historical significance of the letters," said Moody.

• Contact reporter Karen Woodmansee at kwoodmansee@nevadaappeal.com or 881-7351.

If You Go

WHAT: Unveiling of Grosh Collection papers

WHEN: 6 p.m. Wednesday

WHERE: Nevada Historical Society, 1650 North Virginia St., Reno

CALL: 688-1190

MUSEUM HOURS: Research room, 12 to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; exhibit galleries and store, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

COST: $3 adults, $2 for seniors, children and members are free.