Writers’ Wednesday – On The GO! – The Infamous Theaters of Virginia City, Nevada Book (Off-site, KOP)
April 14, 2027 @ 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm
Writers’ Wednesday – On The GO!
Wednesday, April 14, 2027
5:00 – 5:30 pm – Building open
5:30 – 6:30 pm – Lecture
Speaker: Carolyn Grattan Eichen, historian and author
Book Title: The Infamous Theaters of Virginia City, Nevada
Summary of Talk:
From Scantily Clad Women to Impassioned Suffragist Speeches
Virginia City boomed in the nineteenth century, with thousands coming to try their luck in the mines. The entertainment industry boomed with it. Piper’s Opera House became one of the most well-known theaters in America, attracting actors from the East and West Coasts for lauded performances. The Alhambra Theater took a different approach, advertising acts with women in scanty clothing to bored, restless miners. The vibrant scene drew in big names like renowned actors John McCullough and Lawrence Barrett, William Cody (better known as Buffalo Bill) and even Mark Twain.
Author Carolyn Grattan Eichin takes a deep dive into Virginia City’s theatrical history and its importance for the stars of the day.
Carolyn Grattan Eichin, author
Speaker Bio: Carolyn Grattan Eichin has lived her entire life in the American West. Residing in Nevada for more than 34 years, she attained both a BA and MA in history from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, as well as completing the course work for a PhD in the history of the American West.
For seventeen years she maintained a relationship with the College of Southern Nevada teaching American history, Nevada history, and anthropology as a member of the adjunct faculty. Other work experience includes a stint as an archaeologist and a bed and breakfast owner with her husband in Virginia City, Nevada.
She has published in the following scholarly journals: Nevada Historical Society Quarterly, Utah Historical Quarterly, and the Mark Twain Annual. From San Francisco Eastward; Victorian Theater in the American West is the culmination of many years of research.
The Writers’ Wednesday Lecture Series, held on the second Wednesday of each month, features a different author who takes part in a book signing, a presentation, and a question-and-answer session with the audience.
The program intends to highlight writers who focus on Nevada, the Great Basin, or the West in general. The authors discuss the content of their books but also share details about the creative process.
We would like to thank our partner, the Knights of Pythias, for hosting our off-site lectures.
The Knights of Pythias fraternal organization promotes friendship among men and for the general welfare of its membership. They strive to make the world a better place by practicing the principles of friendship, charity, and benevolence through community service. The Knights of Pythias have been serving Nevada communities since the 1870s. There are only three active lodges left in the State of Nevada. The address is 980 Nevada Street, Reno, NV 89503.
