The 1883 Depot, Agent's House, Railroad Tie building, Oil pump house, Oil tank, Armstrong turntable, and water well are the only structures original to Laws. When the Bishop Museum and Historical Society began operating in 1964, several buildings built as sets for the movie, “Nevada Smith,” filmed, in part, on the museum grounds, became the Reception Center/Gift Shop and the Wells Fargo building. All the other buildings at Laws were either built here or rescued from demolition and moved to Laws. The rescues include the library, (original Catholic Church from Bishop), the Ranch House, (original Conway family residence), the School House, original North Inyo County School), and the Medical Office, Textile building, the Post Office, Appliance building, and the Machine shop. In all we have over forty buildings in need of maintenance it the museum.
In 2021, Inyo County helped by re-roofing the School House. The museum will continue to partner with Inyo County and we are grateful for their support. Sadly, the maintenance needs at the museum exceed what the county-is capable of funding.
The museum administration and board of directors realized that while waiting for available funding, the condition of our buildings from structural issues to paint was deteriorating. In the hope of doing better at maintaining our buildings and exhibits the museum now offers an opportunity to “Adopt a Building.” Your legacy gift can be directed to a building or exhibit that is dearest to your heart or an be made in universal support of the museum’s maintenance mission. The Bishop Museum and Historical Society is a tax exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization: --consult your financial planner as there may be tax benefits when making a donation.
Laws Museum needs your support to continue to preserve the history of our Owens Valley; a history of people and place that ties us all together. Whether we have descended directly from pioneer families, or choose to make our home here, we share the same pride and love for this community as those that came before us.
Thank you for your support and wishing you all the best in 2022!
--Pete Watercott