Ruth is not only an accomplished longtime artist, but she is also a fount of historical knowledge of the city of Reno. She was born in 1923 when Reno, Nevada’s largest city had a population of about 20,000 and she has participated in all facets of Reno’s community growth as it has reached its current population of 237,000. Not only does Ruth recount her long history in the Reno art community, but her interview covers Reno history of which only an “old-timer” would have knowledge.
Ruth Gonzales Hilts was interviewed by the Nevada Women’s History Project on November 9, 2017 as part of the Women of Nevada project funded by the John Ben Snow Memorial Trust.