Take a journey into the past and discover the story of Douglas County from early pioneer days to the present. The path of history is exhibited in two unique museums located in Northern Nevada’s Carson Valley; just a 20 minute drive east of South Lake Tahoe or a 15 minute drive south of Carson City.Carson Valley is considered the garden spot of Nevada; and as you drive along Highway 395, you see why. It was here in this rich, green valley that weary pioneers stopped to rest after months of hard travel. As businesses sprang up, some stayed and began farming and ranching the area. The Douglas County Historical Society (DCHS) commemorates the area’s heritage at the Courthouse Museum in Genoa and the Carson Valley Museum and Cultural Center in Gardnerville. Douglas County residents are very fortunate to have a rich and exciting history. Many of the events that make up the colorful history of Nevada happened here.

November Update!   Congratulations to Merry Muller, the winner of our October Photo Contest.  What a great representation of October in Douglas County.  Thank you to all who entered.  The November Photo Contest is now open and we expect great photos coming in once again, and remember you could be our next winner!   When was the last time you walked into the main gallery and turned around to look up at the logging wagon in the loft? If you haven’t done so recently, you are in for a real treat. You can truly imagine the size of the wagon and the job it performed hauling logs. Kudos to our Exhibit Committee who continues to transform our Museum into a work of art.   Thursday, November 12, at 7:00 p.m., our lecturer, Michael Makley, will speak about John Mackay and his influence on Northern Nevada.  His influence can be seen in Reno as well as in Virginia City.  Makley has written several books, the latest of which is John Mackay: The Bonanza King in the Gilded Age, published by the University of Nevada Press. As you know, the UNR stadium is called by the Mackay name as are other places around our area. Admission is free for DCHS members and only $3 for non-members.  Come learn about this very influential person in Nevada history.  Additionally, our Main Street Bookstore will be open for you to visit both before and after the lecture.   Remember, the first Saturday of every month is Student-Senior Day.  Admission is free for seniors 65 and over and for all students accompanied by an adult.  We hope you will take these free admission opportunities to visit your museum and learn a bit about the history of our valley.   Our Saturday, December 5, Student-Senior Day is also the day of our annual Holiday Gala.  Events will be held throughout the entire Gardnerville Museum on this day.  Visitors will be able to see the festive gingerbread houses entered into our annual contest and all the beautifully decorated Christmas Trees entered into our 13th Annual Gala of Trees.   As a visitor, you will be able to vote for your favorites in both categories.  For the gingerbread houses, you will be voting for Best of Show.  For the Christmas Trees, your votes will be made by casting quarters (or more) into the ballot box by each tree.  You can vote for any tree you like, as many trees as you like or one tree over and over again.  But do come in and vote.   Santa will be on the front porch to pose for photos with your kids, grandkids or whomever you bring.  We’ll develop and print the photo while you wait, or better yet, while you tour the trees and gingerbread houses.  Come back to the main lobby and collect your photos before leaving.  They will be mounted for Christmas giving and you can order more than one copy.  Copies are just $5 each.   Please don’t forget the cookie walk.  With all we have going on, don’t take the time to bake.  Stop by the cookie walk and buy all the delicious cookies you’ll need for the Holiday Season without messing up one single pan.  But come early for the best choices as the cookies go quickly.   Lastly, to help you with your holiday gift shopping be sure to visit the bookstore and gift shop inside the Museum for fabulous gifts including the new 2010 Calendars (they are just $10.00/each, $9.00 for members) and our first annual commemorative Christmas ornament of Mormon Station State Historic Park (shown below). For only $8.00, this is also a creative choice for holiday giving. Additionally, we have Christmas books, puzzles and stocking stuffers for children. Use your coupons from the latest newsletter and save 20%.   If you have any questions about anything mentioned here, please call the Douglas County Historical Society at the Carson Valley Museum in Gardnerville at 775-782-2555. Remember, DCHS and its two museums, the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center in Gardnerville and the Courthouse Museum in Genoa, do not receive any regular state or county funding.  It is up to our members and friends to help us keep our doors open.   Happy Holidays To All!