The Nevada Women’s History Project (NWHP) was created to “provide visibility and support for the gathering and dissemination of history about the roles and contributions of Nevada Women of every race, class, and ethnic background.”

The purposes of the organization are to collect archival materials about Nevada women for placement in repositories; to serve as a clearinghouse for information about research, resources and activities; to encourage the gathering of artifacts for exhibits, publications, and programming; to educate through conferences, seminars, lectures, and workshops; to produce printed materials, video documentaries, and other electronic media programming; to develop instructional materials for grades K-16; and to encourage the collection and preservation of sound recordings, manuscripts, and video/films.

The idea of a clearinghouse on Nevada women’s history was first discussed by Jean Ford and a small group of women at a weekend retreat hosted by Beverly Hubbard at Meeks Bay, Lake Tahoe, in 1993.

From that retreat, a small nucleus of women carried forward with the concept and in November, 1994, another brainstorming session was held in Reno. At that meeting, nineteen women signed up to become involved. In February, 1995, an invitation was issued to various nonprofit organizations and governmental agencies to attend a meeting. A subsequent meeting in March included adoption of the name and clarification of the purpose of the group. A year later, in March, 1996, the project was launched in Las Vegas. Officers were first elected in June, 1996, and more monthly meetings followed. The organization then evolved into Northern and Southern regions.

Some of the projects accomplished by the NWHP during its early years include research registry and roundtables, establishment of a permanent office, workshops on oral history, living history presentations, preservation workshops, walking tours, annual conferences, book assessment project, and development of a website.