Virginia City History Buffs Itinerary
For the history lovers on board, Virginia City is about to become your favorite stop. Never mind that it’s the only stop on this particular train. There are 17 museums in town, but there’s no way you can visit them all on this trip. Take note and plan a day (or two!) to come back and explore them at your leisure.
The Virginia City Visitors Center, located at 86 South C Street, offers discounted museum passes to most museums. Make that your first stop as you plan your adventure. Comstock Adventure Pass.
For a good overview of Comstock history, start your tour off at The Way It Was Museum. It features the most complete collection of Comstock mining artifacts in the world, plus historic photos and displays.
Next, head up to B Street and see The Courthouse Slammer and Storey County Museum at the oldest operating courthouse in the state of Nevada. It features a Lady of Justice without her blindfold, showing that justice was not blind on the Comstock. It’s a story telling experience that shares life on the Comstock from the early days to today.
Then head south of town to explore the Historic Fourth Ward School Museum shares the importance of the Comstock story through its authentic preservation, interpretive exhibits and programs and archival resources.
Wrap up your day with a stop by the Mackay Mansion Museum, is a living museum where historical pieces are displayed and the tales of famous dinners and collections will take you back in time.
The Way it Was Museum
This museum displays the most complete collection of Comstock mining artifacts in the world as well as rare photos, lithographs and maps of the “Bonanza” period.
Season:
Open year-round
Location:
113 North C Street
Cost:
$4 per Adult/ Children free with paid adult
Hours:
Daily 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Contact:
775-847-0766
Storey County Courthouse and the Slammer & County Museum
The Storey County Courthouse, built in 1876 after being destroyed in the great fire of 1875, is the state’s oldest continuously operating courthouse in the state of Nevada. Built in the Italianate style, the two-story seat of government houses a two-tier jail, courtroom and large iron-lined record vaults. The exterior facade is brick with details of ornate iron. The Victorian-era courthouse boasts a Lady of Justice statue without her blindfold. The story is that the county chose to not blindfold her to express that here justice was, and continues to be, not blind. The courthouse’s museum holds items like the famous bank robber John Dillinger’s mask.
Season:
Open year-round, except holidays
Location:
12 South B Street
Cost:
Donations accepted
Hours:
Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Contact:
775-847-0986
Historic Fourth Ward School & Museum
Guided or unguided. The last standing multi-story wooden school building of its kind in the United States. Sit in original wooden school desks, and learn a brief overview and history of the school. Various exhibits educate on the discovery and development of the Comstock Lode. (45 minutes – elevator available)
Season:
May – October
Location:
12 South B Street
Cost:
$6 per Adult (17+)/$3 per Child (5-16)
Hours:
Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Contact:
775-847-0975
Mark Twain Museum at the Territorial Enterprise
Mark Twain’s desk, chair, books and most of the original furnishings and equipment of his pressroom are on display. This is the place where Mark Twain spent most of his Virginia City days writing for the Territorial Enterprise newspaper.
Season:
Open year-round
Contact:
775-847-0525
Julia Bulette Red Light Museum
The Julia Bulette Red Light Museum is located with the Virginia City Bar & Grill. The museum chronicles the life of the infamous Julia Bulette, the most prosperous madam on the Comstock.
Season:
May to October
Contact:
Virginia City Bar & Grill
775-847-4188
