America 250 Nevada Events
events
Selections from The Last Cowboy, by Adam Jahiel
Experience the spirit of the American West through a stunning exhibition of platinum prints by renowned photographer Adam Jahiel, on view through September 9 in the Bristlecone Gallery at Western Nevada College. Featuring selections from his celebrated The Last Cowboy series, the exhibition offers a powerful glimpse into the enduring traditions, grit, and beauty of cowboy and ranching life.
From 1989 to 2006, Jahiel traveled each summer across Idaho, Nevada, and Oregon, immersing himself in the world of working cowboys. His striking black-and-white images capture not only the rugged landscapes of the Great Basin but also the authenticity and resilience of a way of life that is rapidly disappearing. Jahiel’s work has earned international recognition and is held in the permanent collections of prestigious institutions, including the Nevada Museum of Art, the Joslyn Art Museum, the Art Institute of Chicago, and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. This special exhibition is made possible through a generous loan from the Armuth Hellwinkel Family Collection.
Admission is free. The Bristlecone Gallery is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., in the Bristlecone Building on the Carson City campus, 2201 West College Parkway.
Don’t miss this opportunity to connect with a defining piece of Western heritage through the lens of one of its most compelling visual storytellers.
"Made in Nevada" Chautauqua Program
Chautauqua performers will present historical figures who made a significant impression upon the state of Nevada, from the state's beginnings and throughout their own lives. They will portray men and women who embody the American spirit of hard work and making a better life for those that came after them. The perfomrances will be daily at 10 a.m. from June 5 to July 25. Click here to learn more
Tonopah Historic Walking Tour
Step back in time on the Tonopah Historic Walking Tour, where the story of the “Queen of the Silver Camps” comes to life. Guided through historic downtown, visitors discover the people, buildings, and boomtown legends that shaped Nevada’s silver rush. From Jim Butler’s discovery to Tonopah’s bustling mining era, each stop reveals a piece of the town’s legendary past.
This free event celebrates America250 Nevada, but reservations are required. To reserve your spot, contact the Tonopah Convention Center at 775-482-3558. Tours are offered Thursday through Saturday.
Tonopah Historic Walking Tour
Step back in time on the Tonopah Historic Walking Tour, where the story of the “Queen of the Silver Camps” comes to life. Guided through historic downtown, visitors discover the people, buildings, and boomtown legends that shaped Nevada’s silver rush. From Jim Butler’s discovery to Tonopah’s bustling mining era, each stop reveals a piece of the town’s legendary past.
This free event celebrates America250 Nevada, but reservations are required. To reserve your spot, contact the Tonopah Convention Center at 775-482-3558. Tours are offered Thursday through Saturday.
The Nevada Buckaroo with Michael Fischer
Step into the spirit of the Great Basin and experience the living legacy of the Nevada cowboy. Join Western Nevada College for a special evening celebrating Selections from “The Last Cowboy” by Adam Jahiel—an evocative exhibition of platinum prints that bring the grit, beauty, and tradition of buckaroo life in the Elko region into sharp focus. Jahiel's collection is a time capsule of Great Basin reality captured in a stunningly beautiful format.
The evening features guest speaker Dr. Michael Fischer, noted local historian and former director of the Nevada Department of Cultural Affairs, who will offer a fascinating look at what sets the Nevada cowboy apart—and how the enduring buckaroo tradition came to define the region.
Enjoy an inspiring blend of art, history, and storytelling, along with light refreshments.
Our History by the Numbers
In celebration of the Semiquincentennial, the Library is hosting a monthly program series from March to December themed around the Dewey Decimal Classification system and focusing on early American history. The format is an educational presentation followed by a hands-on activity. There will be one program per month, every third Saturday at 11 AM. All ages are welcome.
RSVP at churchillcountylibrary.org/rsvp
Tahoe History Talks on the Beach
Kicking off the first Tahoe History Talks on the Beach will be the Borges Brothers, Dean, Dave, and Dwight, sharing the story of the incline at Incline Village, the Virginia City flume, and the Borges family’s long history in Tahoe. Click here for more details.
Nevada Pavilion at the Great American State Fair in Washington, D.C.
An immersive exhibit showcasing Nevada's contributions to the American story, from the Comstock Lode and Hoover Dam to the rise of Las Vegas as a global destination for entertainment, sports, and innovation. The Great American State Fair will take place on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
Self-Guided Points of Unity Tour
Visit all nine of the new interpretive railroad spike sculptures throughout Carson City. Reno-based artist Jeff Schomberg was commissioned after a national call to artists to create these sculptures based on a railroad spike from the V&T Railroad. Each location has a significant historical and cultural tie to the Capital City and will share authentic stories of community and connection. Starting point is Brewery Arts Center.
Stars, Stripes, Steps & Stories: Carson City’s Historic Westside Tour
Celebrate America250 with the Carson City Historical Society on a guided walking tour through Carson City’s beautiful and historic westside on Friday, July 3, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. Beginning at the Nevada State Museum, this leisurely two-hour, two-mile stroll explores the stories, architecture, and colorful personalities that helped shape Nevada’s capital city. Led by knowledgeable CCHS volunteers, the tour travels past historic homes, the Nevada Governor’s Mansion, and along charming Mountain Street before concluding with light refreshments and reflections at the historic Abraham Curry House.
California Trail Days
Between 1841 and 1869 over 250,000 people sold their belongings, packed up wagons, and set out over-land for California. Learn the stories of the pioneers who endured the 2,000-mile trek; some seeking land, some gold, others seeking adventure, and some for reasons we may never know. Enjoy Native American programs, visit with trail reenactors, and much more. Click here to learn more.
Declaration of Independence Reading
The Battle Born Patriots Chapter, Sons of The American Revolution invite the public to attend a re-enactment of the reading of the Declaration of Independence, after which the public is invited to ring the Liberty Bell. Click here to learn more.
SHARING THE SPIRIT OF AMERICA
The featured event is a simultaneous reading of the Declaration of Independence across the nation to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the original event. This is the Nevada entry into an America250 official event.