By Jan Ehlert
BATTLE MOUNTAIN - The Lander County Historical Society (LCHS) held their annual "Cookout at the Cookhouse" on Saturday, Sept. 10, at the Battle Mountain museum site located on Broyles Ranch Road.
LCHS is composed of a handful of members and even more dedicated volunteers and sponsors that help them put on the "Cookout at the Cookhouse" every year. The society president is Lori Price, the newly appointed vice president is Roger McIntosh, treasurer is Salle Lemaire and secretary is Lois Erquiaga. Board members are Ralph Erquiaga, Pat Brickley, Kat Russell, Shirley Hardy and Coxie Roberts. The Lander County Historical Society is currently trying to recruit additional members. If anyone is interested in joining the group, the Battle Mountain Cookhouse does have a telephone now and the number is 635-8548 (this is the correct number; Price wanted to make note that the number in one of the current phone books is incorrect).
The cookout began at 5 p.m. as guests seated themselves and were served a hardy meal consisting of some great flavorful tender tri-tip, buckaroo potatoes, chili beans, green salad, Basque bread, beer-dipped bread and mouthwatering apple crisp with ice cream for dessert. The historical society always provides entertainment for guests to enjoy during dinner. This year the entertainment program was arranged by Deb Nanny. Joining Nanny throughout the program were local talents Leslie Bunch, Rex Edgar, Tommie Jo Wear, Kaitlin Hess, Kristin Hess and Kalyn Swaim. It was great, they performed together and they did some solos. The local talent really made the local guests and supporters of the museum feel right at home.
Guests had plenty to check out as they took tours of the inside of the museum. Every year the tours take a little longer as progress is made on the museum. Price explained to guests the main accomplishments of the year so far. The 25 Ranch water tower was restored and place on top of the fully functioning restrooms built outside of the museum; four Newmont summer students painted the fire suppression piping throughout the cookhouse; Newmont donated a computer and the museum is now connected to the Internet; a split rail fence was erected; the society purchased a Tuffshed for storage; and there are six displays completed in the museum.
It was amazing, last year on the tour guests admired new display shelving upstairs, and this year guests could admire a great collection of cameras dating back as far as 1900; a cast iron pot belly stove made in 1897; William D. Swackhamer's desk that he used from 1946-1977 serving in the Nevada Assembly; an 1886 Juno Lamp the Rochester 1st model; an "Emma Nevada" G Gauge Model Train Locomotive that was originally from the Nevada Central Railroad 1880-1938; and a 1887 Comptometer, the first commercially successful Key driven mechanical calculator.
Giant steps have been made showing much work and improvement that has been done to the museum. Price went on to explain that in the future the entire property will be fenced with 6' galvanized wire, the "Walk of Names" walkway around the museum will be completed, there will be more displays and more lighting for displays and more display cases. In the far future the society hopes to build a pavilion and another building that looks like the old railroad depot.
Price says that in the near future she hopes to have a museum Web site up and running. The society also plans on drafting a criteria list for display items and will publish it upon completion. The goal is for the museum to be opening its doors in 2012.
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