Ft Churchill SHP Interpretive Brief .pdf

JOE LOMBARDO

Governor

STATE OF NEVADA

DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND NATURAL RESOURCES

DIVISION OF STATE PARKS

February 20, 2024

Nevada Division of State Parks - Interpretive Brief – Fort Churchill State Historic Park

Park Overview Fort Churchill State Historic Park (SHP) is a collection of facilities dating back to 1860 that includes the historic military reservation (200 acres) and adobe ruins, historic Buckland Station, and other associated grounds and exhibits. More information about the park can be found on the park website:

https://parks.nv.gov/parks/fort-churchill

The Fort Churchill SHP Museum/Visitor Center is a replica adobe building constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) in 1935 and is historic in and of itself. Nearby Buckland Station is part of Fort Churchill SHP and was originally an 1859 stage stop built by Samuel Buckland. Buckland Station’s history is integral to the story of Fort Churchill both during and after its use by the U.S. Army, as well as the growth and development of the surrounding community.

From many areas within the park, visitors can observe and explore the landscape much as it appeared in 1860, which makes it a popular destination for those seeking to experience and capture Nevada’s early history, as well as those visitors wanting to experience the site’s solitude and exceptional natural values.

Fort Churchill State Historic Park is a popular destination for school groups learning about Nevada’s history.

Park Facilities/Points of Interest Fort Churchill SHP consists of the following facilities or points of interest:

Adobe ruins (15 structures in various states of arrested decay), and interpretive trail Museum/visitor center (1935 adobe construction) Historic caissons and canons (housed outdoors under shelters/structures) Post cemetery Group use area, day use picnic area, campground Buckland Ditch (irrigation canal servicing historic ranching lands) Ranch lands within the park (currently operated by a lease holder) Carson River Trail system (various trails and trailheads) Buckland Station (historic house museum), outbuildings, and grounds Fort Churchill Schoolhouse (soon to be relocated to the Buckland Station grounds)

901 S. Stewart Street, Suite 5005

Carson City, NV 89701-5248

Phone: (775) 684-2770 Fax: (775) 684-2777 http://parks.nv.gov

JAMES SETTELMEYER

Director

Department of Conservation and Natural Resources

ROBERT MERGELL

Administrator

Nevada Division of State Parks Interpretive Brief – Fort Churchill SHP Interpretive Project

Interpretive Topics

Much of the current interpretation and education focuses on the U.S. Army’s occupation of the site, the fort’s regional contributions/significance and role in Nevada’s early statehood, and Native American interactions from 1860 to present. Many of the following topics are touched upon in some capacity through displays/exhibits or programming, but certain topics are more fully realized. There may be additional topics that have yet to be considered.

Current or potential topics (not in order of significance or priority):

Natural and geological history of the area Ancient Lake Lahontan Carson River Watershed Native American presence, culture, and interactions in the area before, during, and after the

U.S. Army’s occupation of the fort (Northern Paiute, Western Shoshone, Washoe) Westward expansion (especially in the years following the 1848 Gold Rush and 1859 Comstock

Lode) Early Nevada settlement Conflict (Pyramid Lake War) Early transportation (California Trail, Overland Stage Company, Carson & Colorado Railroad) Early communication (Pony Express, telegraph) Construction and physical aspects of Fort Churchill Daily life at Fort Churchill Makeup of Fort Churchill (U.S. Army regulars, CA & NV Volunteers, officers, enlisted men, civilians, women, children) Nevada’s role in the Civil War Nevada statehood Abandonment of Fort Churchill Samuel Buckland & family (history, contributions, connection to Fort Churchill, daily lives) Buckland Station (history, ownership chain) Sagebrush Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (earliest caretakers of Fort

Churchill, held site in trust for state of Nevada) Civilian Conservation Corps (work camp at Fort Churchill, restoration efforts) Establishment as a state park The park today (recreational opportunities, ongoing preservation efforts) Seasonal hazards and conditions

Park Demographics

Fort Churchill annual visitation: approximately 80,000 (park open year-round), peak season Memorial Day – Labor Day Buckland Station annual visitation: approximately 1,200 (open weekends year-round, additional days during peak season)

Visitors include:

Nevada Division of State Parks Interpretive Brief – Fort Churchill SHP Interpretive Project

Impromptu/spontaneous visitors History and/or military enthusiasts Tribal members harvesting traditional materials Special interest groups (astronomers, photographers, equestrian riders, ham radio operators) Youth (school field trips, homeschool groups, Boys & Girls Club, Grange, 4-H, Scouts) Historical reenactment groups (fur trappers, Pony Express, Civil War) Outdoor recreation enthusiasts (hiking, camping, OHV, fishing) High number of local visitors and repeat visitors

Park Interpretive Design Considerations

There are many means and methods to present the diverse history, culture, and impacts of Fort Churchill and the surrounding region. The museum and visitor center is small, requiring creativity in expressing those themes within a small space.

Among the paths that future interpretive exhibits could take are:

Exhibit panels and displays Multi-media content and displays Tactile/hands-on elements Creation of indoor and/or outdoor spaces to support small and large group presentations and educational activities Outdoor exhibits and/or 3D displays Map elements to depict the relation of the fort to the broader region and historic routes it was built to protect Trailhead kiosks for hikers and campers Although the fort is open to the public, some aspects of the ruins are not accessible to those with disabilities. Future interpretive designs should include means for individuals with disabilities to experience the elements of the fort they may not be able to directly access.

The fort is located in an area of environmental extremes, requiring future exhibits and technologies to be hardened against the effects of the environment.

Future exhibits should allow for expanded discussions and presentation of Tribal themes and uses of the land across generations.