Thunderbird Lodge Preservation Society

Thunderbird Lake Tahoe is comprised of the George Whittell Estate National Historic District (Thunderbird Lodge Historic Site), the Thunderbird Yacht, the Donald W. Reynolds Lake Tahoe History and Culture Program, and a collection of Lake Tahoe artifacts, documents, photographs, films, and ephemera entrusted to the Society’s museum archives.

Thunderbird Lodge Preservation Society is a Nevada non-profit corporation having tax exempt status as a public charity under section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Service Code. Our IRS tax id number is 88-0434866.

Lake Tahoe's Castle-in-the-Sky is open for public tours, weddings, meetings, and events. Mission 1) Preserve and protect Thunderbird Lodge and its artifacts and museum collections as a historic site of national significance.

2) Promote public appreciation and education regarding the historical, maritime, architectural, and cultural resources of Thunderbird Lodge and the Lake Tahoe region through public tours, conferences, and forums.

3) Support and participate in programs committed to the scientific study, conservation, and preservation of the fragile Lake Tahoe area environment. Description Thunderbird Lodge Preservation Society (d.b.a. Thunderbird Lake Tahoe) is the non-profit organization that operates Thunderbird Lake Tahoe for charitable purposes. Thunderbird Lake Tahoe is comprised of the George Whittell Estate National Historic District (Thunderbird Lodge Historic Site), the Thunderbird Yacht, the Donald W. Reynolds Lake Tahoe History and Culture Program, and a collection of Lake Tahoe artifacts, documents, photographs, films, and ephemera entrusted to the Society’s museum archives. General Information Explore historic Thunderbird Lake Tahoe: Lake Tahoe’s magical Castle-in-the-Sky and the world famous Thunderbird Yacht.

Docent-guided tours take visitors on an hour and 15 minute walk through the stone mansion and grounds to reveal the mystery and legacy of the enigmatic George Whittell, Jr.

Reservations for public tours offered May through October can be made at 1-800-Go-Tahoe.