Upcoming Events
Black History Month Lecture on February 26th
The Carson City Historical Society (CCHS) will present “A Century of Black History Commemorations: Celebrating 100 Years of Black History, 1926–2026,” on Thursday, February 26, at 6:30 p.m., in observance of Black History Month. The lecture will be held in the Carriage House at the Foreman-Roberts House Museum, located at 1207 N. Carson Street, Carson City. The program will be presented by Michael J. Smith, a well-known Carson City educator, civic leader, and public speaker with a long record of community involvement. Smith is widely recognized as the host and organizer of Ideas on Tap, a popular Carson City lecture series that brought residents together for thoughtful, respectful conversations on civic, cultural, and social issues. Reflecting on the importance of Black History Month and its broader meaning, Smith notes, “Black history is American history. To celebrate America at this point requires us to fully situate ourselves within the narrative—not as a footnote, but as main characters who have helped shape this American experience and the American story.” In addition to his work with Ideas on Tap, Smith has served in several prominent public and cultural roles. He is a former member of the Carson City Cultural Commission, where he advised on arts and cultural initiatives for the community. He also currently serves on Nevada’s Employee Management Relations Board, a state board overseeing public-sector labor relations. A retired educator and former high school principal, Smith has spent decades working in education, public service, and community leadership. Admission is free for Carson City Historical Society members and $10 for non-members. Seating is limited, and reservations are required. Tickets are available for purchase at CCHistorical.org or call Liz Cain for more information or to reserve your seat 775-315-9111.
Mail, Mochilas, and Miles: The Story of the Pony Express and Carson City
Petra Keller brings the story of the Pony Express to life through quiet dedication and lived experience. Now in her ninth year riding the Pony Express Trail in Nevada, Petra has carried the mail across historic routes and challenging landscapes, gaining a deep appreciation for the endurance, cooperation, and skill that defined this remarkable chapter of American history.
Born and raised in Germany, Petra grew up riding and competing horses and developed an early fascination with the American West. After moving to the United States, she joined her first Pony Express Re-Ride in 2010 and has remained deeply involved ever since, riding her Thoroughbred, Red, and mentoring new riders along the trail. Her long partnership with her horse and her steady presence on the route have given her a unique, personal connection to the Pony Express experience.
In this lecture, Petra thoughtfully blends history with personal insight, sharing what it means to follow the Pony Express routes today and how those routes once helped bind distant communities—including Carson City—to the rest of the nation. Her presentation offers an inviting and meaningful perspective on how place, perseverance, and people shaped communication in the American West, and why the Pony Express continues to resonate generations later.
Presented as part of CCHS’s America 250 initiative, this program reflects on the enduring power of history when it is carried forward with care, curiosity, and respect.
March 19th
6:30pm