Hammargren invites state to his party

Eric Leake

Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2004 | 9:32 a.m.

Former Lt. Gov. Lonnie Hammargren is throwing Nevada a birthday party and all of the state is invited.

The party will be held Sunday, Nevada Day, at the "Hammargren Home of Nevada History," where Hammargren houses his eclectic collection of models and artifacts from the Jurassic Period to the Space Age.

"I have a real locomotive that went in the mines that dug Yucca Mountain. I have a radiation canister. I'm just telling you the new things," Hammargren said.

His collection also includes a 50-foot brontosaurus, a full scale model of the Apollo lander, a three-story cathedral, a planetarium, reproductions from Roman, Belizean, and Nevadan histories -- and more.

"When I was a kid I built models," said Hammargren, who continues to do so. "This is the one time a year that it's open to all of the public."

Hammargren and his wife, Sandy, have been opening their home for celebrations with fellow Nevadans for years. About 5,000 people attended last year, Hammargren said.

The party will feature bands, choirs, an art and book fair and some of Hammargren's celebrity friends including Debbie Reynolds and Evel Knievel.

"There might be a surprise visit by Lonesome Lon. That's my stage name," Hammargren added. Lonesome Lon, he said, just released a political satire compact disc titled "Who's the Mule?"

Hammargren is a neurosurgeon and 33-year Nevada resident. He served in Vietnam with the 173rd Airborne brigade, was a NASA flight surgeon, Nevada lieutenant governor and university regent.

Though born in Minnesota, Hammargren leaves no doubt about his allegiance. "I'm unequivocally a Nevadan."

Hammargren is holding the party at his home at 4318 Ridgecrest Drive, near Flamingo and Sandhill roads, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. Admission is free. Food and refreshments will be sold by the Boy Scouts.

Hammargren said it's easy to identify his house. It's the one with the space shuttle in the backyard.