Virginia City’s St. Mary’s Art Center Marks 150 Years

One of the Comstock’s most storied landmarks is celebrating a major milestone in 2026 as St. Mary’s Art Center marks 150 years of history, community, and creativity.

The site dates back to the height of the Comstock mining boom, when Marie Louise Mackay, wife of mining magnate John Mackay, purchased the land and donated it to St. Mary in the Mountains Church following the death of General Jacob Van Bokkelen. In 1876, the Daughters of Charity opened St. Marie Louise Hospital on the property, serving the growing mining community until 1897.

As Virginia City’s population declined, Storey County purchased the building in 1899 and operated it as a county hospital until 1942. After sitting vacant for years, the property was revitalized in 1964 when Father Paul Meinecke and artist Louise Curran transformed it into St. Mary’s Art Center.

What was once a hospital became a hub for artistic expression, drawing painters, students, and instructors from across the West. Early workshops established Virginia City as a destination for creative exchange.

Today, St. Mary’s Art Center continues that legacy as the longest-operating 501(c)(3) nonprofit in Storey County. The center hosts art exhibitions, workshops, community events, and youth programs throughout the year, while also offering artist retreats and lodging with 15 guest rooms and shared creative spaces.

To commemorate the 150th anniversary, the center is featuring the building’s historical significance, expanding awareness of its programs, and supporting arts education through workshops and retreats by launching the “St. Mary’s 150” campaign.

Organizers say the milestone reflects both the building’s past and its continued role in preserving and promoting the cultural and artistic heritage of Virginia City.