Chautauqua of Lillian Virgin Finnegan, Creator of the Genoa Candy

Chautauqua performer Kim Copél will portray Genoa Candy Dance creator Lillian Virgin Finnegan in a free presentation at the Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park on Sunday, June 28, at 10:00 ..

Locally known as the woman who started the Genoa Candy Dance in 1919, Lillian Virgin Finnegan is presented in 1914 after women gained the right to vote in Nevada. She was a suffragette and worked closely with Governor Emmett Boyle during his terms in office. She grew up in the town of Genoa as the daughter of Judge Daniel Webster Virgin who was a pioneer of the town and severed for several years as Superintendent of Schools. Lillian was also an early graduate of the Nevada State University, taught school in Carson City and Glenbrook and became the wife of wealthy Tonopah businessman Louis Finnegan. It was during the time of her marriage that she was responsible for inspiring many community endeavors that helped to save Genoa, Nevada’s oldest settlement.

Copél is a native of Truckee and a current resident of Genoa, she is the owner and living history performer at Western History ALIVE!, and also conducts guided tours for her own company, Genoa Historic Ghost Tours. She also writes scripts, researches, and performs for CobwebPalace Productions, and has performed with the Carson Valley Melos and the Carson Valley Community Theatre.

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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