Chautauqua of Eilley Bowers, Queen of the Comstock, at Dangberg Historic Park

Chautauqua performer Lisa Bommarito will present “The Extraordinary Life of Eilley Orrum Bowers” at the Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park on Wednesday August 5, at 6:30 p.m. The event is open to the public and free to attend.

The life of Eilley Bowers is a fascinating story of rags to riches to rags. Alison "Eilley" Orrum Bowers was a Scottish American woman who was, in her time, one of the wealthiest women in the United States, and owner of the Bowers Mansion. From struggling laundress to wealthy socialite and then finally the “Famous Washoe Seeress”, Bommarito’s portrayal of Eilley Bowers is about as close as one can get to actually meeting the vivacious and intrepid Scottish immigrant.

Lisa Bommarito is a resident of Genoa, and has lived in Nevada and been active in Community Theater most of her life. She most recently appeared in Nunsense and The Marvelous Wonderettes with Carson Valley Community Theatre. Bommarito truly enjoys the Chautauqua experience of performing historical characters for entertainment and education. She is also the co-owner of CobwebPalace Productions and is currently working with co-owner Kim Copél on a second show for Women of the Wild West, based on the lives of Cad Thompson and Rosa May.

This is a free outdoor event. The park is located at 1450 Hwy 88, ¼ mile north of the Carson Valley Veterinary Hospital. Visitors are encouraged to bring a lawn chair or use one of the park’s chairs. Dogs are not permitted in the park, with the exception of certified service animals. For more information, visit dangberghomeranch.org or call 775-783-9417.

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