Comstock Foundation for History and Culture

Comstock Foundation for History and Culture Founded on the principles of preservation and cultural enrichment, the Comstock Foundation for History and Culture

Founded on the principles of preservation and cultural enrichment, the Comstock Foundation for History and Culture is dedicated to ensuring the sustained awareness and appreciation of the legacy of the Comstock. Our mission to restore the legacy of the Comstock is achieved by protecting, preserving, restoring, educating and celebrating the authentic culture, history, and heritage of the Comstock for all. Join us in our journey to protect and celebrate our rich heritage.

Fire Up the Engines — We’re One Week Away!We are just ONE WEEK AWAY from a full day of old engines, tractors, mining his...
09/05/2026

Fire Up the Engines — We’re One Week Away!

We are just ONE WEEK AWAY from a full day of old engines, tractors, mining history and some pretty amazing machinery at the Historic Donovan Mill!

Join us Saturday, September 12 from 9 AM–3 PM for the Early Day Gas Engine & Tractor Show with the Northern Nevada Antique Power Club, E.D.G.E. & T.A. Branch 132.

If you love old tractors, antique engines, mining equipment—or you’ve just been wanting an excuse to finally come see the Donovan Mill—this is the day to do it!

We’ll have antique engines and tractors, operating mill equipment, gold panning, Donovan Mill tours and blacksmithing happening throughout the day.

Admission is $20 and includes the show AND a Donovan Mill tour. Kids 12 and under are FREE!

And yes… that incredible historic mill is going to be alive with activity. There is nothing quite like hearing this old equipment running and imagining the men and women who once worked here.

Come spend the day with us, meet our volunteers, explore a piece of Comstock history and help us continue preserving the Donovan Mill for future generations.

Bring the family. Bring the history lover. Bring the tractor lover. We’ll see you at the Mill!

Historic Donovan Mill
900 Main Street, Silver City, Nevada
Saturday, September 12th | 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

More information and reservations through the Comstock Foundation for History and Culture.

This is one you’re going to want to see in person. Go to www.comstockfoundation.org to register

One of my favorite things in this world is The Donovan Mill, and when I get to introduce some of our amazing volunteers...
09/05/2026

One of my favorite things in this world is The Donovan Mill, and when I get to introduce some of our amazing volunteers that love the mill as I do it makes me very happy! ~J

MEET THE BLACK-SMITH-TEERS OF THE DONOVAN MILL
Today we’re shining the spotlight on one of the three talented instructors helping keep the art of blacksmithing alive at our beloved historic Donovan Mill — Gary Foote!

Gary’s journey into blacksmithing began with a simple desire to try something completely different from his everyday work running his family’s business technology company in Reno. After COVID changed his original plans to take a class, an opportunity at Plumas-Eureka State Park led him to volunteer in the historic blacksmith shop there.

That opportunity turned into a passion.

Gary has now spent five, going on six, extended summers blacksmithing at Plumas-Eureka, learning the craft and creating pieces for people from all walks of life.

And while Gary humbly says he doesn’t call himself a blacksmith, but rather “someone who blacksmiths,” we think he might be selling himself just a little short!

His connection to the Donovan Mill is even more special because, in many ways, it brought Gary back to his family roots.

Gary’s great-great-grandfather came to Silver City in 1861, working as a mill engineer at the Hope Mill and Phoenix Mill. Members of Gary’s family are buried in the Silver City Cemetery, giving him a very personal connection to the history of the Comstock.

Gary began attending blacksmithing classes at the Donovan Mill, where he met Peter Lutz and Wes Francis. The three became friends, collaborators, and regulars at the forge.

Following the passing of their instructor Mike, Gary, Peter, and Wes were determined to find a way to keep the classes going. They pursued training and earned Level I certification through the California Blacksmith Association, and with the persistence and support of the Comstock Foundation, the classes were able to continue.

Today, Gary, Peter, and Wes — our affectionately named “Black-smith-teers” — rotate leading the introductory blacksmithing classes at the Historic Donovan Mill.

Gary, thank you for sharing your talent, your time, and your passion with us. Volunteers and instructors like you don't just demonstrate an old craft — you help keep a piece of Comstock history alive.

And we are very fortunate to have you as part of the Donovan Mill family.

Thank you, Gary, for sharing your time, talent and passion with the Comstock Foundation and the Historic Donovan Mill.

Keeping history alive… one strike of the hammer at a time. 🔥🔨

Stay tuned — Peter and Wes are up next!



Stay tuned as we introduce you to the other two members of our Black-smith-teers, Peter and Wes!

HISTORY WASN’T QUIET… AND NEITHER IS THIS EVENT!Have you ever stood next to an old piece of machinery when it actually c...
09/03/2026

HISTORY WASN’T QUIET… AND NEITHER IS THIS EVENT!

Have you ever stood next to an old piece of machinery when it actually comes to life?

On Saturday, September 12th, you’ll have the chance at the Historic Donovan Mill during the Early Day Gas Engine & Tractor Show.

This isn’t just a day to look at history behind a rope. You’ll see antique tractors and engines, explore the Donovan Mill property, try your hand at gold panning, and watch historic mill equipment operate just as it did generations ago.

Our Mill Batteries #3 and #4 and Rotary Stamp Mill will be demonstrated at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

The show runs from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Admission is $20 and includes the show AND a Donovan Mill tour. Kids 12 and under are FREE!

Come spend the day with us in Silver City and experience a little piece of Nevada history the way it was meant to be experienced — running, moving and alive.

Historic Donovan Mill
900 Main Street, Silver City, Nevada
Saturday, September 12th | 9:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.

More information and reservations through the Comstock Foundation for History and Culture.

This is one you’re going to want to see in person. Go to www.comstockfoundation.org to register

There is nothing quite like seeing history come back to life at the Donovan Mill.On Saturday, September 12th, the Histor...
08/30/2026

There is nothing quite like seeing history come back to life at the Donovan Mill.

On Saturday, September 12th, the Historic Donovan Mill in Silver City will welcome the Northern Nevada Antique Power Club for the Early Day Gas Engine & Tractor Show — and this is one of those days when there will be something happening all over the property.

Come out and see the antique tractors, engines and equipment, watch our historic mill equipment in operation, try your hand at gold panning, and experience a place that played an important role in Nevada’s mining history.

The Donovan Mill will be running operating Mill Batteries #3 and #4 along with the Rotary Stamp Mill at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Mill tours will also be available, and blacksmithing classes can be reserved in advance through the Comstock Foundation website.

The show runs from **9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.**

Admission is **$20 and includes the show and a tour of the Donovan Mill. Children 12 and under are free.**

If you have never been to the Donovan Mill, this is a GREAT day to come see us. And if you have been before, you already know there is always something new to see, learn and experience.

Bring the family, bring a friend, spend some time with us and help support the continued preservation of this incredible piece of Comstock history.

Saturday, September 12th
Historic Donovan Mill
900 Main Street, Silver City, Nevada
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Tour reservations and blacksmithing class registration are available through the Comstock Foundation for History and Culture at https://www.comstockfoundation.org

Come see history in motion at the Donovan Mill!

On Saturday August 15th the Donovan Mill Museum hosted the Paradise California ECV 7-11 "Pair-O-Dice" Chapter of Clamper...
08/28/2026

On Saturday August 15th the Donovan Mill Museum hosted the Paradise California ECV 7-11 "Pair-O-Dice" Chapter of Clampers. This was the largest single group of Visitors to the historic Comstock Mill that the Donovan Crew had every had in a single visit. Preparations on the equipment started a couple weeks beforehand and an elaborate plan for how to move 120 people through the Mill was put to paper. Naturally, none of that helped on the day of the event. One tour Guide had to cancel due to illness and the water line to the main stamps ruptured. Weeks of pre-planning came down to a couple hours of frenzied work just before the event began.
Despite all the worry, and mild panic, the event turned out to be a smooth and entertaining tour for all involved. This particular Chapter of ECV are perhaps even more interested in history than the average Clamper, which is a high bar. They followed the Three Donovan Guides with interest, enthusiasm, and some brilliant questions. It's always fun for us to have thins level of history interested Visitor.
At the end of the event the sea of red shirts dissipated and the exhausted Donovan Volunteers sat in the Blacksmith shop with a few beers and a strange disbelief that we had somehow pulled off a record setting tour day at the Mill.

Address

PO Box 61
Silver City, NV
89428

Opening Hours

10am - 2pm

Telephone

+17758138935

Website

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