Mormon Station State Historic Park Expands with Acquisition of Historic Kinsey Property
GENOA, Nev.— Nevada State Parks is proud to announce the acquisition of the historic Kinsey Property, a significant addition to Mormon Station State Historic Park in Genoa. The expansion marks a meaningful moment for the park and the state, as it came just in time for Nevada’s 161st birthday.
Located adjacent to the park’s eastern boundary, the 1.36-acre Kinsey Property includes the three-story brick Kinsey House, one of the oldest standing homes in Nevada. Built between 1855 and 1856 for Stephen and Sarah Kinsey, the home is a rare example of gable-front, side-hall Greek Revival architecture in the state. Stephen Kinsey, nephew of John Reese, the founder of the original Mormon Station trading post in 1851, was an early Carson Valley settler and one of the key figures in establishing Nevada’s first permanent non-Native settlement.
In the late 1800s, the Kinsey family’s grounds, known as “Kinsey’s Gardens,” became a lively community gathering place, hosting picnics, dances, and celebrations. These traditions of gathering and celebration still echo through Mormon Station’s mission today, making the property’s addition a natural fit for the park.
“This acquisition connects us to some of the earliest days of Nevada’s story,” said Bob Mergell, Administrator for Nevada State Parks. “The Kinsey House represents not just architectural and cultural history, it’s an important part of Genoa and of the state itself.”
The acquisition was made possible through a partnership between, Nevada Division of State Lands, Nevada Division of State Parks, and The Conservation Fund (TCF), a national nonprofit with a Nevada chapter dedicated to acquiring at-risk land on behalf of long-term conservation partners who may not be able to move as quickly. Without the TCF’s swift action, millions of acres of important spaces and cherished places across the country could be lost forever.
In this case, The Conservation Fund purchased the Kinsey Property on behalf of Nevada State Parks while the agency worked to secure funding for the acquisition. During that time, TCF allowed Nevada State Parks access to and maintenance of the property until the transfer was complete. The final acquisition was paid for by a joint 50/50 purchase between the Land and Water Conservation Fund and the Conserve Nevada Program.
"The Conservation Fund is proud to have taken part in safeguarding the Kinsey House, a place rich with Nevada history,” said Gavin Kakol, field representative at The Conservation Fund. “By working in partnership with Nevada State Parks and the local community, we’re helping ensure this historic structure is not only protected, but continues to thrive as a place of learning, connection, and stewardship for generations to come.”
In the coming years, Nevada State Parks plans to preserve and restore the property in phases, beginning with structural stabilization and interpretive planning. Long-term goals include opening the Kinsey House as a historic house museum and integrating the property with Mormon Station’s existing interpretive and visitor areas.
