Cindy Ainsworth, Historic Reno Preservation Society

A native of Los Angeles, Cindy Ainsworth moved to Reno with her husband in 1978 and worked in publishing and at the National Automobile Museum, where she could indulge her passion for transportation history. In 1997, she helped to found the Historic Reno Preservation Society (HRPS), and regularly leads a historical walking tour of East 4th Street. She is also a member of the Lincoln Highway Association’s Nevada chapter. Photo by Patrick Cummings

Full Oral History Transcript

Interviewed in 2012, Cindy Ainsworth, a founder of the Historic Reno Preservation Society, recalls her reaction upon first viewing the intact condition of equipment inside the historic Eveleth Lumber mill building. Recorded by Alicia Barber.

Cindy Ainsworth remembers the historic walking tour that led her, Pat Klos, and Nancy Holmes to found the Historic Reno Preservation Society (HRPS)in 1997. Recorded by Alicia Barber.

Historic preservationist Cindy Ainsworth recalls efforts to install a plaque on Reno's North Virginia Street commemorating the tailor shop owned by Jacob Davis, founder of the riveted denim jeans he patented with Levi Strauss. Recorded by Alicia Barber.

Kyle Kozar, Co-founder, Reno Bike Project

Joseph “Kyle” Kozar (left) graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2006, the same year he co-founded the Reno Bike Project with Noah Silverman. The non-profit community bicycle shop and advocacy group is located at 541 East 4th Street. Kozar left Reno in 2011 to attend graduate school in city planning at the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York.

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Ann Harrington and Bob Nielsen, Developers, The Plaza at 4th Street

Ann Harrington and Bob Nielsen partner in developing affordable housing projects throughout the Reno-Sparks area. In 2002, they completed a project with Cloyd Phillips of the Community Services Agency Development Corporation, consisting of commercial space along East 4th Street with apartments above and additional apartments extending to the north.

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Will Durham, Neon sign collector

A native of Reno, Will Durham is a collector of vintage neon signs from throughout Nevada and other parts of the United States. After graduating from the University of Nevada, Reno, he worked in film and commercial production in Los Angeles, and moved back to Reno in 2005. An exhibit of selected neon signs from his collection appeared at the Nevada Museum of Art from October 2012 through February 2013.

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History Project4th Street | Prater Way

Cindy Ainsworth, Historic Reno Preservation Society

Kyle Kozar, Co-founder, Reno Bike Project

Ann Harrington and Bob Nielsen, Developers, The Plaza at 4th Street

Will Durham, Neon sign collector

History Project
4th Street | Prater Way