Friar Tuck’s Historical Series

The Depression That Wasn’t: Nevada County in the 1930’s

📅 Wednesday, March 18, 2026
📍 Friar Tuck’s Restaurant & Bar
111 North Pine Street, Nevada City, CA

🕔 Schedule:
5:00–5:30 PM | Cocktails in the bar
5:30–5:45 PM | Seating
5:45–6:00 PM | Light food
6:00 PM | Presentation

🎟 Tickets: $35
Friar Society Members receive 15% off.

Please note: We cannot make any adjustments to our food for any dietary restrictions.

Event Overview

When the rest of America stood in breadlines, Nevada County stood apart.

On Wednesday, March 18, join us for an illuminating evening as renowned local historian Gage McKinney explores the remarkable story of Nevada County during the 1930’s, a decade defined nationally by economic collapse, yet locally by resilience and surprising stability.

Why didn’t the Great Depression hit Nevada County the same way it devastated much of the country? What industries, communities, and circumstances allowed this region to weather the storm differently?

Through rich research and compelling storytelling, Gage will uncover how mining, local enterprise, and the unique character of the Sierra foothills shaped a different experience of the 1930’s, one that challenges the traditional narrative of the Depression era.

🎙 About the Speaker

Gage McKinney is a respected Nevada County historian, researcher, and author whose work focuses on uncovering the deeper economic and cultural forces that shaped our region. His insights reveal how local history often defies national trends and why Nevada County’s story deserves its own spotlight.

✨ Why Attend?

Because history isn’t always what you think it is.

Join us for cocktails, light bites, and an evening that reexamines one of America’s most difficult decades and how our own community forged its own path through it.

🎟 Reserve your seat today — our Historical Series events frequently sell out.