Humboldt Museum gains support of county commission for expansion

Mammoth bones? Authentic American Indian regalia? Art Nouveau? Winnemucca’s exceptional museum is home to many unique artifacts and collections that are likely to inspire wonder in any history connoisseur or typical museum venturer and aspires to expand its capacity to preserve and exhibit the history and cultural heritage of Nevada. 

The Humboldt Museum sought the support of the Humboldt County Board of Commissioners in efforts to acquire a parcel of land for expansion from the City of Winnemucca, located adjacent to the Museum, at the Board’s regular meeting on July 5. All of the Board members were present, with Commissioner Jesse Hill present via web-call. 

The 5.74 acre parcel  is necessary for the Museum to expand because it is landlocked on all other sides and is under preliminary action by the City to be conveyed to the Museum, according to Executive Director of the Humboldt Museum, Dana Toth. The conveyance originally came into controversy in April, when Nevada Rural Housing Authority (NRHA) took action to acquire the land to build townhomes. When it was established that the land was the only viable option for the museum to expand, the City Council turned down the offer from NRHA and the museum began gathering funding for development. The Board unanimously approved a letter in support of the Museum’s efforts to both acquire the land and efforts to expand the building in a motion made by Commissioner Tom Hoss. 

“The Board of Commissioners are in full support of [the museum’s] efforts to acquire the land and build an additional warehouse to house collections, an outdoor amphitheater, and to provide a workshop to prepare exhibits for placement in the museum”, according to the letter of support for the Museum’s plan to acquire the additional land for future expansion. 

Toth explained to the Board that the City must still draw up the conveyance and the terms of the agreement, which has been agendized for the City Council’s meeting on July 12, but she feels strongly that the museum has the support of the City Council, and the support of the Board stands to increase the support of the community as well. 

Humboldt Museum received $253,060.23 from assessed taxes from the county for the fiscal year 2021-2022, which is approximately 70 percent of the museum’s annual budget, according to Toth’s letter to the Board seeking support. 

The financial contribution and consistent support through previous construction made the formal letter of support obvious. 

“Humboldt County has a history of investing in the museum and without Humboldt County’s support, Humboldt Museum wouldn’t be what it is today,” said Toth’s request letter. 

The impact the museum has on the traveling public and the local community is substantial, as is their purpose, stated in their mission statement: “To collect, preserve, exhibit, and promote the history, prehistory, natural history, and cultural heritage of North Central Nevada.” Mindful growth in the future can only be accomplished if the past is also remembered and observed.

“An expansion would allow the museum and historical society to continue the mission well into the future, benefiting our entire community for many years to come,” said the request letter.