Dangberg Chautaqua festival continues

Chautauquas of Mary-Louise Mackay and stagecoach robber Jack Davis will be performed, along with Donna Inversin’s presentation on The Historic Virginia and Truckee Trail at Dangberg Historic Park.

The celebration of the 150th Anniversary of Chautauqua at Dangberg Historic Park continues by celebrating Wednesday night Chautauquas with the theme: “Follow Us on an Adventure!” All Wednesday evening Chautauquans have an adventurous tale to share with their audience.

Dorothea Phelan will portray Mary-Louise Mackay 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. The wife of American industrialist and Comstock Bonanza Lode discoverer John Mackay, she was the wealthiest woman in Paris Society.

Mackay lost her first husband to alcohol and drug abuse when she was 20 years old with two infant children to support. To survive, she gave French lessons and sewed for the Rosener Brothers store in Virginia City. She lived with her one surviving daughter in a furnished room on A Street until her life changed dramatically upon marrying Mackay. Being nouveau-riche and Irish, the family was snubbed by New York society. Eventually the Mackays moved to Paris where Louise Mackay entertained as the wealthiest American in that city.

Phelan has been an historian, living history performer and storyteller for more than 28 years. Born and raised in Yerington, she acted in theatricals and school plays. As an adult, she coached children’s plays and dramas. She volunteers at the Nevada State Museum and performs Chautauqua locally.

Wednesday evening Chautauqua ticket prices are $15 for 17 years and older. Youth 16 years and younger are free when accompanied by an adult. Tickets can be purchased at the event. Gate opens at 5:30 pm.

This season’s Chautauqua programs are funded in part by a generous grant from Nevada Humanities and the National Endowment for the Humanities. Visit Dangberg.org for a complete list of upcoming Chautauquas during the Dangberg Summer Festival.

Ross Mortensen will portray stagecoach robber Jack Davis 10 a.m. Aug. 16.

Davis was a personable and educated miner, who barely made a living in California’s Tuolumne diggings. By 1859 Davis found himself in Virginia City where he purchased and worked a stamp mill. Soon he found it was easier to make money at his secret business of robbing stagecoaches and trains.

Mortensen is a local third-generation decedent of Nevada ranching families. Mortensen became a history enthusiast beginning at an early age due to his own family history.

He is the owner of the Western gunfighting group Horse Thief Canyon Desperados.

This event is free for all to attend.

Donna Inversin will speak 10 a.m. Aug. 17 about “The Historic Virginia and Truckee Trail: From Old Railroad to Future Rail Trail.”

Inversin will give a presentation on the nonprofit’s effort to find the remaining sections of old rail bed routes to bring them together in order to build a multi-use path 60-80 miles long, which will echo the Virginia and Truckee Railroad. The trail is being designed for the benefit and enjoyment of the citizens and visitors of Northern Nevada.

Inversin is a founding member and current President of The Historic Virginia and Truckee Trail.

This event is also free for all to attend.