1. Fourth Ward School Museum

    1. Fourth Ward School Museum

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    Virginia City, NV

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    Fourth Ward School Museum

    4.6 (19 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 3:00 pm

    Fourth Ward School Museum Photos

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    Tamara E.

    The Fourth Ward School is a beautifully restored piece of history that is filled to the brim with exhibits and artifacts that tell the Comstock Story and brings history itself to life. A few things that one can encounter, interact with, experience, and learn about at the museum are: the school itself, an 1876 classroom, the Comstock over time, mining, minerals, Mark Twain, the printing press, Virginia City and its alumni, and so much more. Today, we were here for their 4th of July event. The staff and the volunteers were friendly, cheerful, and knowledgeable. We had full access to look at all of the wonderful exhibits which were beautifully displayed and well organized. They had a band playing a nice mix of their songs and covers that were enjoyable for everyone. There was a silent auction of diverse items to help raise money for the museum. They provided us with a variety of sausages/hot dogs, sides, fruits, dips, cheeses, and other yummy treats to eat. They also provided chairs for us to sit on the balconies to watch the fireworks. Their balconies not only gave beautiful views of the surrounding area but a great view of the fireworks. I always love every visit to the museum and look forward not only to my next visit but to my next event at The Fourth Ward School.

    The building is fabulously rich in history! The museum manager, Barbara, is knowledgeable, helpful and very enthusiastic about helping you learn the different rooms of the school/museum. Tour guide, Alan, is very knowing of the history, conducting a very interesting lecture before beginning a room-to-room tour. It is a breath of fresh to meet, and listen to, Barbara and Alan's passion and intelligence about this wonderful historic building! A Must-Stop on everyone's vacation plans to Nevada.

    Outside
    Elizabeth P.

    Did not know this was a museum at my first visit in this town. Glad I reached out to the information center for any suggestions and I highly recommend doing your first tour of the city here! The kind and brilliant lady gave us a free briefing of the origins of Virginia City and diverse cultures that cultivated this school for children of all backgrounds/races who's family moved here to work for the mines in the 1860's. The revolutionary ideas to educate students of all languages and skills to graduate with excelling in all subjects they were taught and the opera house they performed at which made this town infamous! Truly remarkable how well kept the school is. Especially after hearing how this town cherishes it deeply.

    7th Annual Fundraiser Poster.
    Bullet S.

    Oh man! WHAT AMAZING ARCHITECTURE!! And so much fascinating history for all ages. Lots of cool events, too!

    School room
    Sunday B.

    Really fun to visit a slice of history and learn so much about the local history. Favorite part: When the school closed, they let the kids write on the walls-was fun to see what they wrote. Highly recommend.

    LaRena F.

    Have you ever wondered what school was like during the Comstock lode? Have you ever wanted to take a step back into history? Well, this is the place for you. The architectural style is second empire which had a mix of European and Baroque styles and was popular in the 1800's. It is the oldest 4 story, Victorian era wood school in the USA. Here you can get a docent led tour or just wonder around by wander around. The docent's are kind and informative. You can sit in an 1876 classroom and imagine what school was like back then. The exhibits include information and pictures of those who went to school and graduated here, mining and innovations plus much more. Take a step back in time and visit this historic and informative museum.

    Stove in one of the classrooms. I imagine these impressive works of art churned out the heat during those bone-chilling VC winters!
    Windee C.

    Do you have a hankering for Victorian era history? I do. So this docent-led field trip to a one-of-a-kind local gem was a thrill. Restoration on this beautiful building has preserved it so you can experience the feel of a classroom from long ago. The desks are original! You will find exhibits about other regional history as well as the school itself. Static exhibits, videos, and knowledgeable staff serve to make your visit a rich experience. There is even a small gift shop so you can take home a souvenir.

    Thomas E M.

    This is a great spot to stop and enjoy. The fact that there is no air conditioning helps you to fully appreciate the heat and its effect on learning. The re-created classrooms feature desks from the era and the nice folks that work here make it a pleasant visit. When you're in VC this is a must. It's on the far south side of town and worth the walk.

    Love the Dunce cap. Had to explain this one to the kids.
    Leanh E.

    Fun place to go to take kids. The history is amazing and it changes the perspective of kids who are so use to having electronics in the classroom and activeboards. It is fun to see their reaction when you tell them that multiple grades studied in one class and that the teacher wrote everything in chalk. If you were being aweful, you sat in the corner wit the dunce hat! There is also som rich history about Virginia City in this museum, which displays photos and readings about prominent people and the diversity of immigrants that came during the gold and silver rush mining period. There are interesting stories about a few of the saloon owners and one lady of the evening who was respected by many of the firefighters that lived in Virginia City. Great day trip from Reno.

    This was a neat museum. We were only able to see the first and second floor. I'm not sure if they typically have the basement and 3rd floor open, but they weren't open the day we went, which was disappointing. We also went on a day when they had a big field trip group (I overheard that there were 128 kids). This made it a little more difficult to fully enjoy the exhibits. It would have been nice if they just blocked off an hour or so for this group alone, and not allowed the few of us tourists through, but we still enjoyed it.

    Danielle R.

    Great place to learn about a mining city's history and development. My kids loved seeing how schools were built and ran back in the day as well. They have worksheets for the kids to find facts in each room and earn a little prize. Over all a pretty neat experience.

    One of the 4th Ward School's classrooms.

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    Review Highlights - Fourth Ward School Museum

    Restoration on this beautiful building has preserved it so you can experience the feel of a classroom from long ago.

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    Chollar Mine Tours - Candle inside the mine to demonstrate the darkness without it

    Chollar Mine Tours

    4.5(164 reviews)
    0.1 mi

    If you're looking for something fun to do in Northern Nevada, I can't recommend the Chollar Mine…read moreTour enough! Our tour guide, Gary, absolutely made the experience! He has an incredible knowledge of Virginia City and Northern Nevada history, but he shares it in a way that's engaging, funny, and easy to follow. His sense of humor was the perfect mix of clever and classic jokes, which kept both the adults and the kids entertained! Before we even stepped into the mine, Gary sat us under a tree and told the story of Virginia City and The Comstock Load. I've lived in Northern Nevada for years, and he still taught me things I had never heard before! It was a great reminder of just how much fascinating history we have right here in our own backyard. I also appreciated how patient and thoughtful he was with everyone in our group, especially the children and those who needed a little extra time walking through the mine. He made sure everyone felt included. As a bonus, Gary is also an author! I ended up buying one of his books (I collect children's books for my office), and he has written other books too. I may have to buy the others with my next visit. Whether you're visiting from out of town, or you've lived here for years, the Chollar Mine Tour is absolutely worth experiencing. We had a wonderful time and plan to come back with more friends and family! p.s. Ask for a ghost story or two!

    Super interesting tour. A must if you really want to learn about mining in the old days. Tours…read moretypically run once an hour at 15 past the hour during the hours they are open. Check the website for the hours as they change seasonally. All the old artifacts lying around the yard are also quite interesting to look at. If you can't walk the length of a football field hunched over so your head (with helmet) doesn't hit the low beams, or are highly claustrophobic, this tour is NOT for you. CASH ONLY.

    Photos
    Chollar Mine Tours - Inside

    Inside

    Chollar Mine Tours - The structure within the mine

    The structure within the mine

    Chollar Mine Tours

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    Virginia & Truckee Railroad - Open sided car with roof

    Virginia & Truckee Railroad

    3.9(119 reviews)
    0.4 mi

    Always, always fun to take the 35 minute train ride from Virginia City to Gold Hill and back. Sit…read moreinside or outside as you wish. The day we went it was very hot so most chose inside. Windows are open with no glass, cool breeze all the way. The charming conductor gives such fun and interesting information about all that you are seeing. He talks all the way there and back and makes it so much more interesting and you come away with all this knowledge about the Comstock. Don't suggest walking to the station from the Main Street as there is a parking lot provided and those hills are not for the weak! This fun train experience is just another reason a visit to Virginia City is always so much fun!

    What a fantastic way to spend Valentine's Day in my favorite city in the sky!…read more This is our third time on the Murder Mystery Train Trip! Every year it's a different who duh it theme! It's fun to ask the characters questions before the murder happens. Then you have time to fill out your paperwork with the correct answers to win a prize! While on the train you can enjoy a well arrange Valentine's Day snack pack for two with sandwich's, fruit, chocolate dipped strawberries and cookies along with wine, water and beer! At the end, as you're exiting the train, they give out beautiful red roses to the ladies to enjoy. This is a favorite thing for us to do! Sometimes I wish it was much longer! They have about three trips a day Noon, 2, 4pm. All the characters are Knowledge, the train staff are awesome when checking in! The grounds are perfect for parking and bathroom facilities. There are many other train trips to take throughout the year, so definitely hop aboard and experience the beauty of the region and explore the gold rush time of Virginia City NV.

    Photos
    Virginia & Truckee Railroad
    Virginia & Truckee Railroad - I met Michelle on the train trip from my home town

    I met Michelle on the train trip from my home town

    Virginia & Truckee Railroad

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    Julia C Bulette Cafe Saloon & Red Light Museum

    Julia C Bulette Cafe Saloon & Red Light Museum

    3.7(6 reviews)
    0.6 mi

    Great food, great drinks, great people, great staff, great atmosphere!!!!…read more We've eaten there a few times since they first opened and they really have some great staff dialed in now. This summer, keep your eye on them... They're booking weekly live entertainment and getting quite the face lift!!

    hehe. brrrrr. following a trip to the bucket o' blood…read moresaloon, one begins to wonder... at least I did... what sort of brothels would be happenstance in a by-gone era of the 1860's? Then again, its NV, and just a short mule trip over to LV -- right? For a general overview, this museum will definitely entertain you - and it's NOT guna cost you more than a shot of top-shelf whiskey or moonshine. I recommend you check this lil gem of history out for yourself. A small admission fee from your coin purse will entitle you to see... the "Arctic Vibrator". LOL. If you have ever seen the movie "shivers", you'll get a better and more profound understanding of this fine gem of a wonder toy. (?). Considering we're actually talking about the 1860's and a brothel or two - no less (maybe more), that's rather hilarious. OK.. check your history on this one -- was there electricity during the 1860's? Add to that idea the concept of an electric female stimulator. *cough*. What would the thought of an "arctic vibrator" do for you? it gives me the "shivers" to say the least. and it made my GF laugh. brrrr. the thought of the arctic gives me the chills. BTW, there's a heated mall near Carson City (in NV) just under 60 mins away.

    Photos
    Julia C Bulette Cafe Saloon & Red Light Museum - 100 mile view from the back deck

    100 mile view from the back deck

    Julia C Bulette Cafe Saloon & Red Light Museum - Ortega burger, very little cheese

    Ortega burger, very little cheese

    Julia C Bulette Cafe Saloon & Red Light Museum

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    Comstock Firemen's Museum

    Comstock Firemen's Museum

    4.5(8 reviews)
    0.4 mi

    We've lived here for 3 years and have visited the museum 30 times. It features fire engines of…read morevarious eras with detailed information on each one. Uniforms and the firefighting equipment used during those periods have been preserved. You can even see photos of real firefighters from back in the day. Maybe you're a bit like me. I can stare at old pictures for ages and try to imagine what everything was like back then. Yes, this museum is in a very small building and doesn't have any "hands-on" attractions. But, I believe it is a wonderful slice of Comstock history and should be savored like a fine aged wine or a valued friendship standing the test of time. My personal favorite is the glass fire grenades. What did fire grenades do? Want to know more? Plan a trip Virginia City and tour the Comstock Fireman's Museum. Please make a donation. There's no charge to tour the museum but they rely on our money to keep the doors open. Even a small drop eventually fills a bucket!!!

    LOVE this old firemen's museum! It's free to enter, though they have a donation jar in front of…read moreyou'd like to donate. It is really cool to see all the old "fire trucks" and learn about their history. This museum is very well kept up, and the front desk guy was very nice and inviting! We always come to Virginia City when we have out of town guests, and we always make it a point to stop in here! That is something that will continue!!

    Photos
    Comstock Firemen's Museum - Front of the museum

    Front of the museum

    Comstock Firemen's Museum - Great shot of the whole display

    Great shot of the whole display

    Comstock Firemen's Museum - Front entrance

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    Front entrance

    Virginia City Visitor Center

    Virginia City Visitor Center

    4.1(45 reviews)
    0.5 mi

    We were so glad that we stopped by the Visitor Center because we received some helpful information…read moreabout the attractions in Virginia City. We tried a tasting of their Cemetary Gin. Wow, made with unique botanicals, juniper berries, and Neveda pine nuts... it was very flavorful and reminded me of Christmas flavors. We bought two bottles and a t-shirt. Bathrooms are nice and clean - which is always a bonus anywhere!

    Whenever we have guests visiting us in Reno, we take them to this city to check it out…read more Quality/Quantity - Welcome to the wild wild west, lol. A good tourist place to visit. Lots of things to see, do, eat, and drink. See Atmosphere below. Other attractions are - St. Mary in the Mountains Catholic Church, Historic Fourth Ward School Museum (see other 5 star review), Virginia City Outlaws, The Washoe Club Haunted Museum, Mackay Mansion, The Way It Was Museum, Silver Terrace Cemetery, Virginia City Visitor Center (see other 4 star review), etc. Atmosphere - Always a fun and great city to visit. Historical town. Sadly, I will miss the camel and ostrich races, see pictures. Also, I miss the motorcycle rodeo. Known for their tours - Ghosts, underground, mine, railroad, historic, trolley, etc! Parades - Approximately 8 a year; see their website. During the off season, there are plenty of free street parking, or $10 private lot parking. During peak season, you will have to park further and walk. Service - Good, caters to tourists. Price - Reasonable prices, especially for a tourist destination. Owner Comment - Congrats on your success since 1859. I am glad that you are still prospering.

    Photos
    Virginia City Visitor Center
    Virginia City Visitor Center - 01.01.25 Happy New Year from Virginia City!

    01.01.25 Happy New Year from Virginia City!

    Virginia City Visitor Center

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    Fourth Ward School Museum - museums - Updated September 2026

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