On their first day of the Carson City Leadership Institute last October, the Class of 2016 had the opportunity to tour the historic Nevada State Prison.
Giving back to their community has always been one of the major objectives of the Carson City Chamber Leadership Institute students since classes began in 1988.
Past classes have done some amazing projects that have made our community an even better place to live.
The Class of 2015 created a cozy children’s reading nook within the Carson City Library. Our historic Lone Mountain Cemetery has become an outdoor museum thanks to the Class of 2014 and now features historic markers honoring prominent residents who defined our city. Seniors were the object of attention by the Class of 2012 who gave our seniors a beautiful media room within the Carson City Senior Center that included the largest smart TV money could buy at that time. Veterans, too, were honored by the Class of 2009 who took the crumbling Veterans Memorial in Lone Mountain Cemetery and completely rebuilt it to honor those who fought for our country. The Children’s Museum of Northern Nevada was twice honored by former classes. In 2006, the Office of the Governor was replicated under the Capitol Dome and is a featured exhibit still today. The Class of 2013 created a Science Room when the museum expanded their offerings and remodeled their basement level floor.
Each class chooses a project to work toward and complete prior to graduation in June. They must create a vision and then translate that vision to fundraising allowing the community to become more involved. Each class member has some responsibility to make the project a success.
Since the Nevada State Prison has been in the forefront of the news and could soon become the trifecta in our museum offerings, the Class of 2016 agreed the project making the most impact currently was to create a mobile historical exhibit to be placed in the NSP sally port to include historic photos visitors could peruse either at the beginning or the end of their tour.
“In choosing the Nevada State Prison as our project, it has opened my mind to an entire section of Carson City that I didn’t even know existed,” said Denise Gillott.
Sena Loyd, one of the co-authors of the book, simply entitled “Nevada State Prison” adds, “The Nevada State Prison is chalked full of history and lore, the State of Nevada and its citizens have taken needed steps to secure a valuable historical treasure. It is exciting to be able to be a part of building mobile historical displays to enhance Nevada State Prison Preservation Society’s mission and vision for NSP.”
Fundraising is a major component of the project and during the years many businesses have donated to make the various projects a reality. Greater Nevada Credit Union was the first business to write a check. The community-at-large was invited to tour the prison as part of the fundraising efforts and Janet Baker tells us, “The community has been so wonderful in their support. I can’t think of a better way to give back than to assist the Nevada State Prison Preservation Society (NSPPS) with their mission to make such an historical landmark into a museum and sharing it with the world.”
The class is hoping to raise $10,000.
Courtney Warner sums up the class perspective as she writes, “I am captivated by the unique history of the Prison. There is an amazing story to share with the world and I see our Leadership Class of 2016 as the catalyst to bring the Museum from concept to reality. We have the opportunity to create an experience filled with history-rich stories, pictures, and artifacts that will be enjoyed by all.”
Though the tickets for the April 16 tours in conjunction with the NSPPS has been sold out, there will be more to come. The NSPPS is now formulating plans to create regularly scheduled tours open to the public and visitors at least three days a week. Tour guides will be those who have amazing stories to tell relating to their personal experiences as NSP guards.
To be on the inner circle of this exciting new venture, the Carson City Chamber of Commerce encourages membership in the NSPPS. Membership starts at only $20 and the information can be found by logging on to www.nspps.org or by calling 297-0240.