History of the Mansion

The Lake Mansion was the home of Jane Lake and Myron Lake, the founder of Reno. VSA arts of Nevada has renovated the mansion and has now moved the mansion from the corner of Kietzke and Virginia Street on the grounds of the Convention Center to the corner of Court and Arlington Street in Reno's thriving arts district.

The Lake Mansion, built in 1877 by W.J. Marsh was sold to Myron Lake in 1879. Lake is often considered the founder of Reno. In fact, his toll bridge across the Truckee caused the early settlement to be called "Lake's Crossing." The Lake Mansion was originally located near the river crossing at Virginia and California Streets.

The Lake Mansion is an ornate example of the Italianate style. With the hipped roof and veranda banding the house, it typifies upper middle class prosperity during the period. Well-detailed brackets, window frames, doors and balustrades testify to the quality craftsmanship which went into the structure's construction. Among the impressive details of the Lake Mansion are the etched glass of the doorway, the period furnishings, and the carved woodwork over the sliding doors in the front parlor.

"Old friends are worth keeping," according to the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Thanks to several grant awards, the Lake Mansion, built in 1877 near the Truckee River in downtown Reno and moved to the Convention Center over 30 years ago, and in July of 2004 moved back downtown. The Lake Mansion is open to welcome visitors for many years to come. Come by the Lake Mansion Tuesday through Thursday from 10-4 to enjoy a self guided tour of the historic main floor.

The Lake Mansion has remained protected over the years because of generous donations, grants, awards and the initiatives of many preservationists. Although the mansion was threatened by demolition in 1971, residents of Reno rallied to save the structure. The aging mansion was donated by the owners and moved to the Reno-Sparks Convention Center on the corner of Kietzke Lane and Virginia Street.

Major donors to the restoration of the mansion have included the State of Nevada's Commission for Cultural Affairs through the State of Nevada Department of Museums, Library and Arts State Historic Preservation Office, Nevada State Council on the Arts, Redfield Foundation, and in-kind assistance from United Way of Northern Nevada and the Sierra, Clark and Sullivan Constructors, Nevada Bell, IGT and other individuals. VSA currently occupies and is renovating the mansion.

On June 6, 2005, Senate Bill 508 was passed, granting the VSA arts of Nevada $350,000 for the Lake Mansion preservation project. The funds granted should be able to complete the Lake Mansion project and continue to transform the historic building in downtown Reno. This preservation initiative was led by VSA Arts of Nevada Executive Director, Mary Ellen Horan.

The Lake Mansion had a reopening celebration and dedication on July 14, 2005. Senator Richard Bryan of Preserve Nevada presented Mary Ellen with the 1st Annual Nevada Heritage Award at the dedication for the preservation of this historic structure.