RESTORATION & IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS
In addition to our amazing arts programming and events is our passion for restoring, rehabilitating, and improving this 1876 historic former hospital. The property is a cornerstone of Virginia City and Comstock history, a true gem tucked away off of C Street with an amazing view of Virginia City and Mount Davidson.
St. Mary's Art Center has been the steward of this property since 1964 when Louise Curran and Father Meinecke proposed the idea of turning the property into an art center. Since that time, a wild array of work has been done to preserve and protect this beauty. We are ever thankful for the support of Storey County, Nevada State Historic Preservation Office, Commission for Cultural Centers and Historic Preservation, our donors, members, volunteers, board of trustees, and staff for helping us continue this important work.
The winter and shoulder seasons are often our time of focus on large and small projects. We close our doors to the public and focus passionately on ways to protect and elevate the property, expand our programming to visitors, and ensure the legacy lives on.
Our current and upcoming work includes:
FY25/26 Storey County Grant Funding:
- Brick and Stone Repointing Phase 2 of Main Building
- Guest Rooms 6 & 7 Ceiling Investigation and Repairs
- Painting of Front Porch, Stairs, Railing, Windowsills, Guest Rooms and Galleries
- Security Camera System Expansion
- Annual Maintenance
23-13 CCCHP Grant Funding:
- Exterior doors and surrounds rehabilitation (north, south, main, and balcony)
- Guest Rooms, bathrooms, studio, and 3rd floor gallery lighting upgrades
- Print Room brick repointing
- Print Room hallways restoration
- 1st floor Van Bokkelen Gallery hallway restoration
Pending Review/Award: CCCHP 2026
- Boiler System Replacement, Chimney Repairs - $111,590 requested
Dust & Wonder Trail Public Art:
This work is funded in part by a 3D Cultural Corridor Grant to Visit Carson City creating the Dust and Wonder Trail nonprofit. This grant includes public art funding for multiple areas and properties, including ours:
- Installation of "Rabbit Man" sculpture by Dale Rogers in our outdoor sculpture garden
- Installation of Dust and Wonder Trail Interpretive Art Sculpture in our outdoor sculpture garden
learn more at www.dustandwonder.org
Upcoming Planned Projects:
- ADA Ramp & Parking Spot on East/North areas of the main building
- Stabilization of two Outbuildings
Future Projects:
- Chimney Restoration
- South Kitchen Door Restoration & ADA Ramp Door Replacement
- Boiler System Replacement
- Elevator Design & Installation
- Seismic Stabilization, As Needed
- Parking Lot Expansion
- Additional Landscape Upgrades
Previous work has included:
CCCHP/CCA Total Grants Awarded: $1,454,778.89
2023/24 23-13 (work in 2026) - Exterior Doors, Flooring, Brick Repointing, Lighting Upgrades - $189,400
2019/20 19-12 – Porch and Print Room Restoration, Chimney Repointing - $112,000
2014 – Emergency Boiler Replacement and Installation - $61,000
2009 – Fire Escape Reconstruction and Window Rehabilitation - $122,000
2008 – Window Rehabilitation - $150,000
2006 – Design and Construction of Fire Sprinkler System and Riser Room - $188,000
2005 – Construction of ADA Bathroom, Overhaul Boiler System - $262,201
2005 – Construction of 2 ADA Bathrooms/Plumbing Upgrades - $135,000
2003 – Installation of 2nd Hot Water Boiler, Staircase Restoration, Heating Pipe Covering, Radiator Installation, Metal Roofing - $34,000
2001 – Heating System Installation - $70,000
2000 – Heating System Electrical Upgrade and Roof Insulation - $72,810
Storey County Funded Projects (Highlights, Not Complete List):
2025/26 - Rehabilitation of storm windows, Repair of radiators and boiler system, Original Wood Flooring Repairs and Finishes, Brick and stone Repointing of Caretaker Cottage and Phase 2 of Main Building, Plumbing Repairs, East Elevation French Drain Installation
2024/25 - Kitchen Floors Replacement, Kitchen Structural and Plumbing Repairs, Electrical Panel Upgrades, Exterior Paint, ADA Parking, Brick Repointing, Roof Ledge Replacements, Exterior Paint
2023/24 - Solar Field Inverter Replacements, Fire Riser Room Repairs and Backflow System Upgrade, North Shed Stabilization, South Shed Relocation and Roof Replacement
2017 - Driveway Pavement
2019 - Security System Installation
2019 - IT Infrastructure
2018 - Cottage Basement Concrete Floor & Leak Mitigation
COMMISSION FOR CULTURAL CENTERS and HISTORIC PRESERVATION & STATE HISTORIC PRESERVATION OFFICE:
The CCCHP grants are a funding cornerstone of our restoration and preservation efforts. Through these grants, and Storey County Building Grants, we are able to achieve great improvements to protect and preserve this magnificent property. We work closely with the SHPO staff and our engineers and contractors to design and implement the best solutions for the buildings.
CCCHP Grant 23-13
We were awarded a fantastic $189,400.00 grant to restore the main entrance, north, south, and balcony doors and surrounds, interior lighting upgrades, Print Room brick repointing, and hallway restorations. This project was funded with the assistance of the Commission for Cultural Centers and Historic Preservation.
OUR MEMBERS & PATRONS:
Last, but never least, our amazing members and patrons provide on-going support for our programming and numerous operating costs. We love having this diverse family of art and history lovers.
