Friday's museum reception has new exhibits on display

The Douglas County Historical Society wants everyone to experience the opening of several new exhibits 4-7 p.m. Friday at the Carson Valley Museum and Cultural Center, 1477 Highway 395.

In the changing gallery is the new "Town of Minden Exhibit" celebrating the first 100 years of Minden. The exhibit is full of historic photos of early Minden and lots of artifacts. Jack Flannery's miniatures of the original bandstand, bank, school, Minden Flour Mill and CVIC Hall are part of this exhibit. In the main gallery is a photo exhibit of the C.O.D. Garage by photographer Irwin Sorkin.

Special guests for the evening will be H.F. Dangberg and his wife Margaret Gale Ferris Dangberg portrayed by Mike and Janet Fischer, Beverly Caputo, Flannery, Sorkin and longtime Valley residents Max Jones, Ed Court and E-Ann Logan.

A Kit Carson mural was recently completed by Caputo. The mural depicts the life of Kit Carson as trapper, explorer, guide and soldier. This mural is an important addition to the museum. We live in Carson Valley, the Carson River runs through it and the Carson Mountain range over looks it, all named for the famous explorer Kit Carson. This is the first exhibit dedicated to our famous name sake.

In the main gallery, a new exhibit that features "Nevada Mustangs," is now underway. Caputo is painting a huge mural that covers the upper wall. The mural not only shows the mustangs but the diverse Nevada landscape and seasons. The collateral exhibit material has not been added yet, but the beautiful mural is a stand alone exhibit by itself. Caputo generously reduced her rates and has provided a beautiful painting of mustangs valued at $2,000, for the Douglas County Historical Society to raffle. Raffle tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20 and will be on sale Friday evening.

Local photographer Jay Aldrich's photos of many family faces, plus several ranching photos, the Basque, local doctor and the Washoe exhibit can also be seen in the main gallery.

In the "Women in History" and "Family Life and Culture Gallery" exhibits is a parlor scene that features what most families did in the evening for entertainment. They talked, played music, read and did needle work. Included in "Family Life" is a kitchen exhibit.

The new "Mercantile" exhibit downstairs is the first exhibit in a new series of exhibits to be called "Main Street." In various stages are a dry goods store, drug store, barber shop, newspaper, doctor's office and more - all the businesses you would find on any Main Street.

The historic "Glenbrook Inn Exhibit" is located downstairs. Built in 1905, facing the lake at the end of a long pier was a rustic but elegant inn, a place where many wealthy San Francisco families came to spend each summer. The Schillings, Firestone and the Ghirardelli families are just a few that returned to Glenbrook year after year. They enjoyed the lovely meadow ranch managed by C.C. Henningsen.

Also downstairs are five display cases filled with just some of Charlotte Jepsen's beautiful hats. Visit the "Agriculture Exhibit Gallery" that features the completed "Family Ranch Boards" and exhibits about Carson Valley Dairies and Creameries.