Award-winning Nevada schoolteacher Janet Bremer will give a Chautauqua presentation of Comstock socialite Marie Louise Mackay at a free event at the Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park.

Mackay came to Nevada during the “Rush to Washoe,” but her husband’s drug and alcohol addiction left her a widow with a young child. In 1867. she married John Mackay, one of the four “Silver Kings” of the Comstock and her fortune changed. Her husband’s mining success made fine living and world travel possible and Mrs. Mackay became a wealthy socialite who lived in Virginia City, San Francisco, Paris and London. The Mackay family endowed the University of Nevada’s School of Mines in 1908.

What: Chautauqua presentation of Marie Louise Mackay

When: Aug. 14, 10am

Where: The park is located at 1450 Highway 88, Minden, one-half mile south of the Carson Valley Swim Center. A map and further information can be found at parks.nv.gov/hr.htm or by calling (775) 783.9417.

Who: The event is open to the public and is a part of a speaker series offered by Nevada State Parks.

Cost: This is a free outdoor program.

Contact: Mark Jensen, (775) 783.9417, dangbergranch@parks.nv.gov

More: Janet Bremer, a resident of Henderson, is a retired educator who has been named Nevada Social Studies Teacher of the Year and Mining Teacher of the Year. She helped create the “McCaw School of Mines” at Henderson Elementary School and remains involved with the school on a volunteer basis. She is also a board member of the Clark County Museum Guild. She has been researching the life of Marie Louise Mackay since 1994.

Chairs and shade shelters are provided by the park. Visitors are welcome to bring lawn chairs and encouraged to bring water. Pets should be left at home.