Great Programming for December 2025

180 Years Later, Donner Party Still Makes News!

Saturday, December 6, 2025, from 1 to 2:30 pm, Nevada History – On The GO!

Join historian and author Frank X. Mullen’s program as he talks about 180 Years Later, Donner Party Still Makes News! After his Donner Party Chronicles was published in 1997, author Frank Mullen thought he was done walking with the ghosts of those star-crossed pioneers. But history marches on.
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Frank X. Mullen is a journalist, author, pioneer trails researcher, and Chautauqua scholar. In 2021, the Nevada Press Association inducted Frank into the Nevada Journalism Hall of Fame. If you find the story of the Donner Party fascinating, this is the program for you!

Thanks to our community partner, Sierra View Library, for hosting this program at 4001 S Virginia St, Reno, NV 89502.

The University of Nevada, 1874–2024: 150 Years of Inspiring Excellence

Wednesday, December 10, 2025, from 5:30 to 6:30 pm, doors open at 5 pm, Writers’ Wednesday – On The GO!

Author John Trent will talk about his book, The University of Nevada, 1874–2024: 150 Years of Inspiring Excellence, published by the University of Nevada Press. ⁠Opening its doors to the public in October 1874 as a preparatory school in Elko, Nevada, the University of Nevada, Reno has grown into an institution with over 21,000 students pursuing their academic dreams. The 150th anniversary book was published in honor of this milestone, showcasing why the University has truly been a catalyst for success throughout the state’s history.
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John is the senior editor of News & Features at the University of Nevada, Reno. He is a two-time Nevada Sportswriter of the Year and a longtime Nevada journalist, authoring two other books on running.

Thanks to our community partner, Knights of Pythias, for hosting this program at 980 Nevada Street, Reno, NV 89503.

Our Nevada Stories: Oral History Project for America250 – Nevada

Thursday, December 18, 2025, at Noon, High Noon virtual series on Zoom

Bradford McMullen, Folklife Specialist, Nevada Arts Council, Las Vegas, and the State of Nevada Folklorist, will be our guest speaker as he will talk about Our Nevada Stories: Oral History Project for America250 – Nevada. Every Nevadan has a story, and Brad McMullen is interested in hearing as many of them as he can. As part of Nevada’s America250 celebration, Brad has been traveling the state collecting stories from longtime locals, new Nevadans, community leaders, creatives, historians, and everyday people with something to say, as well as asking people to submit their own stories to share.

McMullen joined the Nevada Arts Council as the Folklife Specialist and State Folklorist in 2023. He was the former programs and gathering manager at the Western Folklife Center in Elko, Nevada, where he oversaw planning of the National Cowboy Poetry Gathering and other events.

Our Nevada Stories: Our Nevada Stories initiative is part of the state of Nevada’s America250 celebration. A joint effort between the Nevada Arts Council and the Nevada Division of Museums and History, the initiative is collecting the stories of Nevadans around the state to celebrate Nevada’s role in our country’s past, present, and future.

American250 – Nevada: America250 marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. During this milestone year, we have an opportunity to reflect on our heritage, celebrate our accomplishments, and dream of the future we want. 

⁠Make sure to register for this free, virtual Zoom lecture. Here is the link: https://events.washoecountylibrary.us/event/15493028