Upcoming Speaker Night Events
Bridget Evoy: Trailblazer in the ‘Rough and Tumble’ California Gold Rush Economy
with Craig Harwood
When: Thursday, September 17th at 7:00 PM.
Where: The Sierra Presbyterian Church located at 175 Ridge Road, Nevada City.
This month’s speaker night highlights the life story of Bridget Evoy, a remarkable woman who formed a potent business empire with her daughters and “broke glass ceilings in the fields of real estate and commerce” in the tumultuous Northern Gold Fields of Nevada and Yuba Counties.
Based on a national award wining book, the talk presents a compelling narrative of Bridget’s life journey beginning with her escape from famine in Ireland, her leadership of a wagon train on the Overland Trail and her emergence as a fiercely independent business leader and role model for women in the patriarchal world of ”El Dorado”.
About the Book, from the Publisher
“Harwood’s spirited biography of an audacious, persistent woman brings to the forefront the largely unheralded contributions of women in the forming of California statehood—and restores a lost chapter to the history of the American West.”
The author will follow a narrative of her life story through a series of historic images. A link to the publisher’s book page can be found here.
About the Author
Craig S. Harwood is a multi-award winning author of two University published biographies. The current book, Bridget’s Gambit has received the Silver Medal in the Independent Publishers Book Award program for 2026, a prestigious national award. Craig is a professional geologist who works within Northern California and is a fourth-generation Californian.
Coming Events in 2026
Second Sunday Steam-Up
Nevada County Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum
When: Sunday, May – October 2026
Where: 5 Kidder Court, Nevada City, CA 95959.
Come join our locomotive team as they have both their steam locomotives steamed up and ready to go!
The museum exhibits a collection of railroad and aviation artifacts, photographs, and documents for visitors and historians alike. Exhibits include the NCNGRR Engine 5, rolling stock, an early steam automobile, and other examples of Nevada County’s transportation history. The gift shop offers railroad-themed books, toys, gifts, clothing, and other collectibles. Visitors are offered a docent-led historical tour of the museum, rail yard, and restoration shop. Admission to the museum is free.
For more information, check out the Railroad Museum website and train schedule.