Nevada State Artifact
Tule Duck Decoy
Adopted in 1995.
Nevadans proclaimed the Tule duck decoy their state artifact in 1995. Actually, there are eleven ducks- or, more precisely, decoys, each formed of a bundle of bullrush (tule) stems. The decoys are shaped to resemble a canvasback duck. Discovered by archaeologists in 1924 while during an excavation at Lovelock Cave, the decoys were created almost 2,000 years ago.
Nevada State Artifact: Tule Duck Decoy
This decoy was created almost 2,000 years ago. Discovered by archeologists in 1924 during an excavation at Lovelock Cave, the decoys are formed of bundles of bulrush (tule) stems, bound together and shaped to resemble canvasback ducks.
Lovelock Cave, first identified in 1911 by a pair of miners collecting bat guano to sell as fertilizer, contained a cache of 11 intact decoys stored
inside two woven baskets.
The duck decoy was made Nevada's state artifact in 1995 although all of the decoys found in Lovelock Cave are now housed in the National Museum of
the American Indian in Washington, D.C.
The charming community of Lovelock is home to the historic Pershing County Marzen House Museum. The museum is dedicated to preserving artifacts pertaining
to the rich history of Pershing County, including some modern tule duck decoys.
The two-story Marzen House was built in 1874 as the showplace home of a wealthy local rancher, and today is a fully restored structure with a wonderful
array of artifacts from Lovelock's early days.
Nevada Senate Bill No. 80 - Senator Adler
CHAPTER 77
AN ACT relating to state emblems; designating the tule duck decoy as the official state artifact of the State of Nevada; and providing other matters
properly relating thereto.
[Approved May 9, 1995]
THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEVADA, REPRESENTED IN SENATE
AND ASSEMBLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Chapter 235 of NRS is hereby amended by adding thereto a new section to read as follows:
The object of human workmanship known as the tule duck decoy is hereby designated as the official state artifact of the State of Nevada.
Nevada Law
The law designating the tule duck decoy as the official Nevada state artifact is found in the Nevada Revised Statutes, Title 19, Chapter 235, Section 235.085.
TITLE 19- MISCELLANEOUS MATTERS RELATED TO GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS
CHAPTER 235 - STATE EMBLEMS; GIFTS AND ENDOWMENTS
MISCELLANEOUS STATE EMBLEMS
NRS 235.085 State artifact. The object of human workmanship known as the tule duck decoy is hereby designated as the official state artifact of the
State of Nevada.
(Added to NRS by 1995, 97)
