The Marzen House Museum Advisory Board accepted a $15,000 Travel Nevada grant during its June 24 meeting, adding another boost to the museum’s ongoing efforts to advertise, improve exhibits and bring more visitors to Lovelock.
Wendy Nelsen reported that she had applied for $25,000 and was awarded $15,000.
Board members said the money can be used for billboards, signs and other promotional needs.
The grant will require a match, which board members said can likely be met through volunteer hours and other support already being provided.
Board members also discussed the remaining money from a Recreation Board grant.
After approving a full-page ad in 101 Things to Do in Nevada, the museum has about $1,400 remaining from that funding.
The board voted to move forward with using the money to fund a professional kiosk or display to promote both the museum and other Pershing County businesses.
The museum’s billboard project is also moving ahead.
Board Chair Bonnie Skoglie said the billboards are expected to be up around July 1.
The billboards will display the museum’s website address so people who see them can visit the website to find more information about the museum.
The board also accepted a Spring Valley Mine Project kiosk and related contributions, pending final approval of the kiosk design.
Skoglie said the project is connected to discoveries made during excavation work in Spring Valley, including Chinese gravesites and artifacts.
She said archaeologists found one intact grave containing the man’s skeletal remains, along with boots, buttons, an 1898 dime and a river rock inscribed with Chinese characters identifying his name and home village in China.
Mining officials hope to have the inscription translated so the man’s remains can eventually be returned to his homeland.
Skoglie said she looks forward to a future Chinese history display.
The board also approved sticker designs created by artist and museum volunteer Valerie Antus, a high school student.
The designs included Marzen House themes, duck decoys, a ghost tour design and other museum-related artwork.
Board members praised her style and approved using the designs as the museum continues developing a sticker collection.
Antus said she has been drawing since childhood and was inspired by linocut printing and other artists.
“I’ve been drawing for as long as I can really remember,” she said. “I’ve always loved it.”
Museum projects also remain underway.
Board members discussed using county grant money wisely, with priorities including the railroad house, the three-sided shed and other outdoor improvements.
The board also agreed that the museum should purchase four low-profile hydraulic jacks to help move and level buildings as more structures are added to the grounds.
Updates were also given on exterior paint work, the railroad house, future boardwalks and the building recently moved to the museum grounds for a future Marzenville display.
Museum Director Kelly Thompson said June was a strong month for visitors.
The museum had 150 visitors, including 100 general museum visitors, 17 ghost tour visitors and 33 people connected to Lovelock Cave visits.
The museum brought in $1,042 for the month, including $580 from ghost tours, $362 in cash donations and $100 in book sales.
The museum also continues to see online interest with more than 16,000 Google hits.
Thompson said the museum will begin tracking how visitors hear about the museum, including whether they come because of billboards, magazine ads, Wild Nevada, Lovelock Cave or other sources.
“That will be important for grants,” said Nelsen.
The board accepted several donations, including a photograph of Chief Winnemucca, a Nevada map, La Casita signs, antique porch lights, a barber-pole light, and a train sign related to the Big Boy engine visit.
The board also discussed future signs for the museum’s parade truck.
Ideas included using the museum logo, address, phone number, website, hours and QR code.
The board will hold its next regular meeting at 4 p.m. on July 22 at the museum.
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