Museum Brings Local History Into Focus During Chamber Luncheon

The Churchill County Museum hosted local business owners and community representatives during the Fallon Chamber of Commerce luncheon Thursday, Aug. 20, sharing a look at new exhibits, projects, and what’s ahead for the museum.

Museum Director Mel Glover updated attendees on several new and upcoming events and exhibits. Since his arrival in Fallon four years ago, he and his staff have worked to preserve and revitalize the museum's many permanent displays, as well as showcase new exhibits that bring Fallon's history and its residents to life.

Glover introduced Archives and Project Curator Scott Gambino, with whom he worked during his tenure at a museum in Wyoming. Gambino works alongside curator Rae Sottile to manage, preserve, document, and help interpret the museum's collections and historical archives.

Happy to assist wherever needed, Gambino also helps with museum grants and recently helped publish the second book featuring the museum's beloved mascot, Beatrice Badger. Beatrice was given as a gift to the Churchill County Museum by the Fallon Chamber of Commerce in 1995.

Glover said one of the things he is most excited about is the return of Churchill County Museum's “In Focus” series, which began in 1987. The annual publication, which ran until 2009, collected dozens of articles on topics ranging from poetry and biology to Native culture and oral histories. Most previous editions remain available in the museum bookstore or online.

With editing by Michon Mackedon, who also writes the “Postcards” column for The Fallon Post, “In Focus” once again explores Churchill County's history, using the museum's collections to present and preserve stories about the people, places, and events that have shaped the community over the decades.

Current exhibits include “Sports! A Celebration of Churchill County Athletics,” on display through October, and “Churchill County's Wish for U.S.,” part of Nevada's America250 celebration. The exhibit offers a Wish Wall where visitors can post their hopes for the country over the next 10, 50, and 100 years.

Arriving in time for Halloween and Día de los Muertos is “¡MONSTRAS!: Female Legends of Latin America,” a traveling exhibition exploring the enduring myths and legends surrounding 10 female monsters from Latin American culture. The Exhibit Envoy exhibition will run from October through December.

Glover also encouraged attendees and the community to be on the lookout for artifacts that help chronicle and celebrate local history. Documents, photographs, household objects, and even seemingly mundane items tucked away in closets, garages, and attics may have a place in the museum's collections. Many donated materials become part of the museum's archives, where they can be properly cared for and preserved for future generations.

Thrilled about the possibility of obtaining fire department minutes dating to the early 1900s, Glover also shared his excitement over the acquisition of a 1954 Nugget diner menu and items from the TOPGUN school at Naval Air Station Fallon. Each of those, and many more items like them, helps tell the story of Fallon.

Glover reminded attendees that admission to the museum is free. Memberships support museum programming and outreach for adults and children, as well as exhibit renovation and new construction. Membership benefits include a copy of the annual “In Focus” journal, museum store discounts, and special invitations and announcements for events and exhibit openings.

The museum's 2026 Fall Lecture Series, “The Layers of Nevada,” begins Sept. 8 at 6 p.m. with Mark Curtis presenting “One of a Kind,” a program celebrating the culture and history of Northern Nevada.