We can not resist a history lesson and this one was in one of our favorite locations.

Dr. Anita Watson was incredibly believable as Mary McNair Mathews, an 1870s resident of Virginia City. Watson’s portrayal was a fascinating look at a unique woman, time and place. Widowed, Mathews lived on the Comstock for nine years and closely observed Virginia City’s people and community.

An added bonus of hearing Mary's story at the Ranch was the special exhibit of three generations of the Dangberg family's clothing: Fred's suits, neckties, hats, and underwear, along with his family's pajamas and nightgowns, evening gowns and pretty frocks.
I totally have a thing for the hats, especially this one, since pet skunks were kept at the ranch, it seems fitting that there would be a hat adorned with one.
Part of what fascinates me most, about this place, is the exhibition of clothing is enriched by photographs of the Dangbergs actually wearing the clothes on display. Incredible.
In 1997, when the final granddaughter, residing here died, the complete Home Ranch headquarters area, including the residence and all the structures used in the original ranch operations, was saved for use as an historic ranch site, thereby preserving and making available facilities and equipment of historic interest in the development of American agriculture for future generations to see. What a forward thinking family. And how fortunate that they saved everything!