Witness to History: The Remarkable Untold Story of Virginia City and Nevada City, Montana

Witness to History, by Virginia City Curator Emeritus John D. Ellingsen, is a delightful and often moving book, unusual among writings on the Gold Rush era of Montana and the West. It is part history, part memoir, and part passionate essay about the importance of historic preservation.

The book details the origins of Virginia City and Nevada City -- their rough beginnings and their glory days. It also offers a unique perspective on the restoration and saving of Virginia and Nevada Cities by a man who has dedicated his entire life to that cause. More than two dozen historical photographs help to tell one of the most significant stories of historic preservation in the western United States.

John D. Ellingsen is a native of Great Falls, Montana. He has a Masters of Arts and Applied Arts degree from Montana State University. Ellingsen has won numerous awards for his work in historic preservation, including a lifetime achievement award from the Montana Preservation Alliance, the Governor's Award for historic preservation, and a special award for preservation from the Department of the Interior for his work at Garnett Ghost Town. Since 1972 he has worked as curator in Virginia City. At present, he is curator emeritus. Ellingsen lives in Nevada City, Montana.