California Trail Interpretive Center Celebrates Women’s History

Organization

Bureau of Land Management

BLM Office:

Elko District Office

Media Contact:

ELKO, Nev. – Learn about historic Nevada women and traditional fiber arts at the California Trail Interpretive Center.

The Trail Center is celebrating Women’s History Month in March with a variety of family friendly programs. The following programs are free and open to everyone:

March 2, 10:00 a.m.:  Historic Women of Nevada

Settling in early Nevada was not easy, especially for women. Nevada women faced vast and empty landscapes, rowdy mining towns, and many other challenges. Join Interpreter Jordan Thomas and learn about historic Nevada women that helped create the state we love today.

March 3, 2:00 p.m.:  Junior Ranger Program:  Learn to Crochet

Attention all kids:  Learn how to make your own coaster. Instructors will introduce children to crochet, age eight and up. The class is free, but participants must bring their own skein of yarn. Crochet hooks provided. Class size is limited, and registration is required. To register, call 738-1849.

March 10, 2:00 p.m.:  Junior Ranger Program:  Pioneer Women:  Doctors, Authors and Astronauts

Not all pioneer women walked to California. Some became doctors, authors and astronauts. Join Jordan Thomas and learn about pioneer women that blazed all sorts of trails for other women to follow.

March 16, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.:  Meet the Guild:  Crochet, Knitting and Spinning Wheel Demonstrations by the Ruby Mountain Fiber Folk

Members of the Ruby Mountain Fiber Folk will work on knitting and crochet projects. The fiber artists will provide knitting, crochet and spinning wheel demonstrations. Open to everyone.

March 24, 2:00 p.m.:  Junior Ranger Program:  How to Make Pioneer Butter

Making pioneer butter required much preparation and hard work. Join Volunteer Dinna Frost and learn how to make butter like the pioneers.

March 30, 10:00 a.m.:  Upstairs Girls: Prostitution in the Early American West

Myths, legends and Hollywood have romanticized prostitution in the Old West. When separating fact and folklore, the reality of the hardships that early Western prostitutes faced becomes clear. Jordan Thomas will share stories about the soiled doves. These stories are fascinating, and provide a glimpse into a part of history that is often forgotten.

The California Trail Interpretive Center is located eight miles west of Elko on I-80, Hunter exit 292. The Center is open Wednesday through Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission is free.


The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.