Step Up for History — and help us restore the floors that built a community.

For nearly 150 years, the hardwood floors of the Historic Fourth Ward School have supported generations of students, teachers, miners’ families, and visitors from around the world. Every step tells a story, from the children who first walked these halls in 1877 to the guests who explore them today.

But time has left its gentle mark. Decades of wear have left our floors in need of nourishment and refinishing to preserve their strength and beauty for generations to come.

This winter, we’re launching our End-of-Year Campaign: “Step Up for History”, to raise $24,000 for the professional refurbishment of our original 19th-century hardwood floors.

Your gift will help us:

Refinish, wax, and deep clean original hardwood flooring

Every dollar helps us keep history standing strong and shining bright.

As we approach our 150th anniversary in 2026, this project honors our mission: to connect people to the relevance and importance of the Comstock story through authentic preservation, interpretive exhibits, and educational programs.

Please consider “stepping up” today, whether with a donation to our cause, a donation to our most need, by sharing our campaign, or by dedicating a gift in honor of someone who loves history.

Together, we’ll keep these floors, and our community’s stories alive for generations to come.

Help us raise $24,000 to restore the 19th-century hardwood floors at the Historic Fourth Ward School Museum, the very floors walked by Comstock students since 1877.

Our goal is to raise $24,000 by December 31, 2025 to complete this project in the coming year.

How your gift makes a difference

This project will restore and protect thousands of square feet of original 19th-century flooring, an essential investment as we prepare for our 150th anniversary in 2026.

And your gift will help to our areas of most need.

• Preserve original 19th-century wood surfaces across multiple historic rooms

• Improve safety and accessibility for all visitors by refinishing and sanding our ADA Accessible entrance

• Maintain welcoming spaces for exhibits, tours, programs, and students

• Keep the Comstock story alive for future generations

Every step counts, and every gift brings us closer to keeping history standing strong.

Please consider donating or dedicating your gift in honor of someone who loves Virginia City’s history. Together, we can ensure these floors, and the stories they hold, continue to shine for the next 150 years.

Every contribution, of any size, directly supports this work.

Thank you for stepping up for the Fourth Ward!

Your gift helps restore the original hardwood floors of the Historic Fourth Ward School Museum, the very floors that have carried the footsteps of students, teachers, and visitors since 1877.

Because of you, we are one step closer to preserving this rare building and its stories for future generations.

With gratitude,
The Historic Fourth Ward School Museum

The Historic Fourth Ward School Foundation is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation formed and operating in the State of Nevada and registered with Nevada Secretary of state (Federal Tax ID# 88-0463462). Our Purpose and mission is to connect people to the relevance and importance of the Comstock Story through its authentic preservation, interpretive Exhibits and programs, and archival resources. Your donation may be tax deductible pursuant to the provisions of section 170 © of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, 26 U.S.C. § 170(c).

The Historic Fourth Ward School Museum's Year-End Fund Drive 2025

"Step Up for History"