Interpretation: Significant interpretive events for the month of June included the Murder of Deputy Dillingham, and the George Ives trial and hanging. The Dillingham interpretation was a short but effective interpretation of the events surrounding the assassination of Plummer’s deputy in Virginia City, and the miner’s court trial that followed. The interpretation was very effective for the public that attended and brought the event to life. The Event was attended by about 50 visitors to the museum, and narrated by Curator of History, John Ellingsen. Also narrated by John Ellingsen was the George Ives Trial and Hanging, the interpretation started at 1 pm and was 2 hours in length. The Ives event was attended by about 200 visitors to the museum.

Living History: June’s Living history program has consisted of four thematic interpretive events. The first weekend was Gold Rush Town; the event was well attended by the public. The second June weekend was the Montana Vigilantes, also well attended. The third weekend featured The Murder of Deputy Dillingham, which was also well attended by the public. The last weekend was the George Ives Trial and Hanging that had record attendance for the event. The Living History volunteers donated 2546 hours in June. The Living History staff assisted Jim Carpita, site manager, in attempting to acquire funding for the Montana Post, from the Montana Newspaper Association.

Education: The Preservation Crew held a workshop on stonework June 6 – 10. John Ellingsen participated in leading a tour of stone structures in the area including the Easton Mill foundations at Junction, stone ruins at Adobetown, and other stone structures in the area.

Volunteer Program: Volunteer recruiting for the month of June. New volunteers for the Montana Heritage Commission include; Rob Thames, Tracy Thames of Missoula Montana, Ted and Jeanette Lewis from White Sulphur, Montana, Don Mills, from Seeley Lake, Mt., Cindy Wigginton, from Seeley Lake, Mt, Dave Benjamin from Ennis, Jason Loveland, Electa Loveland, Brian Loveland, Electa Loveland, from Idaho Falls, Idaho, Railroad Volunteers working in may included; Roger Williams, Bobbie Dirks, and Steve O’Dwyer. Groups for June included the Suroptomists Group of 8 from Helena, Mt. Total Volunteer hours for June were; 2809

Tours: John Ellingsen gave a tour for Papoose Lodge on June 9 and June 17, and for the Montana Press Association on June 10. A large number of members of the Press Association enjoyed detailed tours in the Montana Post. John also gave a tour with Jeff Tiberi for a potential donor on June 22.

Movies: Scouts for a science-fiction movie about “T-Rex” were in town on June 13. They decided to do a few scenes here. Dan Thyer, Dave Duesterbeck Living History volunteer, and John Ellingsen worked on the filming of the T-Rex docu-drama with Impossible Productions Teresa Zambre on June 29. Filming started at 8 am and concluded at 6:30. Most of the filming took place in front of the Nevada City Hotel and along the highway in Nevada City. A scene was also filmed in front of the big Gavioli in the Music Hall, requiring the moving of a few items. Clean up and return of clothing to Ranks was finished by 7pm. The Music Hall was put back in order the next morning.

Music Machines: Yearly oiling and checking of the music machines continued in early June. John worked with Dave Caladine on annual repairs to the Cremona in the Opera House. Music machines were checked nearly every day, and money collected weekly. Twelve music machines are in regular daily public operation in the Nevada City Music Hall. The motor on the Big Gavioli organ burned out, and a new motor was installed. Richard Reutlinger from San Francisco met with Jim Carpita, Marge Antolik, Dave Caladine, and John Ellingsen on June 25 regarding the grant from the Automatic Musical Instrument Collectors Association (AMICA) to restore one of the instruments in the Music Hall. The Wurlitzer DX Roll Changer Piano was tentatively picked.

Miscellaneous Special Projects: John Ellingsen drew a map of the land ownerships in the Bonanza Inn area for Jeff Tiberi.

Railroad: John Ellingsen helped start the Steam Locomotive No. 12 on June 4 and 5 from 7 to 10:30 each day. A train axle and transfer case for the No. 8 gas locomotive was obtained from Lloyd Harkins, but the price of the item has not been resolved and it has not yet been installed.

Signs: John Ellingsen painted a sign reading “and cabins” for the Nevada City Hotel, and repainted the large “S. CONTENT.” sign for Contents Corner, as well as a few minor signs.

Administrative: John Ellingsen attended computer security training on June 30. Staff meetings were held June 6, 13, and 20, and an all-staff meeting on June 23. Dan and John consulted together on planning for the Living History Events including Dillingham murder reenactment, Ives trail, the upcoming Road Agent Ride, and plans for next year.

Weekly Security Checks: John Ellingsen performed the weekly security checks of Nevada City and the Railroad as usual. No unusual problems. VC Streetlights were also maintained through the period. A huge wind on the night of June 16 blew out several windows and caused other damage. The windows which were a security risk were repaired by the next morning.

Respectively Submitted August 30. 2005

John D. Ellingsen
Dan Thyer