Nevada Historical Society's History on the Go: Kittie “Kit” Wilkins
The Nevada Historical Society's building may be closed for an exciting remodel, but you can still enjoy their fascinating lectures at the Sierra View Library during their closure. NHS Nevada History - On The GO! Series is combining their three history programs that delve into Nevada History, Lake Tahoe, and the American Gaming Archives gambling and gaming history. Make sure to visit Sierra View Library on the first Saturday of every month to learn more about Nevada’s history through these engaging talks that are geared towards audiences of all ages.
February 7, 2026
Title of Talk: Kittie “Kit” Wilkins: a trained Pianist and College graduate, an educated woman who made millions as the largest horse breeder and stock saleswoman in the west
Speaker: Richard H. Dorman, Geologist and Nevada Historian
Summary of Talk: Born in the West, her family moved frequently, but Kittie always got an education. The family moved from boomtown to boomtown, where her father, Mr. J.R. Wilkins, would build a new store in hopes of “mining” the miners. This time was all boom and bust.
After being burned out of businesses in Boise, Idaho, and Tuscarora, Nevada, they had heard of Bruneau Valley. They homesteaded a ranch along the Snake River, and the family started a ranch with cattle and horses that included gathering the feral horses that wandered throughout the range. Kittie travelled extensively after graduating from school, on a grand tour across the United States. After she returned to the ranch, her father gave her control over the breeding, breaking, and sales for the business. Learn more about this fascinating woman in this talk.
Speaker Bio: Richard H. Dorman has many passions he loves to share: History, Music, Theater, and Geology. He became fascinated with the history of Jarbidge and the last stagecoach mail robbery in 1916. Through his exhaustive research, he rediscovered several women's histories that have been overlooked or forgotten.
Dorman performs in the White Stage Theater productions in Winnemucca and the annual Dickens Fair in San Francisco, where he performs with several choral groups and lectures on paleontology. He makes all of the historical reproduction costumes for several performing groups.
Dorman received a B.Sc. in Geology from the Mackay School of Mines, University of Nevada, Reno, in 1976. His mining experience spans over 46 years and covers all aspects of mineral exploration. He has extensive experience with sediment-hosted mineralized deposits in Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, Arizona, Mexico, Canada, Australia, Indonesia, and Nevada. He was previously the Vice-President for Exploration at Universal Uranium Ltd. He worked for Getchell Gold Corporation, Hunt Oil, Coastal Chemical Corporation, Dyno Nobel, Atlas Minerals, and Plateau Resources.
