It's almost here! I don't mean Christmas; that will be here soon enough. What's almost here is Dec. 1, Student Day. Santa's sleigh is already on the front porch of the Carson Valley Museum. Soon it will be decorated with bells and packages and a Christmas tree or two. And of course, Santa will be here to take pictures with your kids. He'll be here between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. on Dec. 1 and photos are $5 each.
On the other side of the porch there will be a table where the volunteers can help you join the Douglas County Historical Society. Membership has lots of benefits, not the least of which are free admission to both museums and 10 percent discount on any merchandise purchased from the Main Street Bookstore just inside the museum.
Membership runs from $20-30 for senior singles or couples or $30-40 for an individual or family with children under 18. Lifetime memberships as well as business memberships are also available. Join before you visit Santa, and we'll give you your first 10 percent discount. We'll take that photo of your kids with Santa for $4.50.
Because it's Student Day, admission to the museum is free as long as adults are accompanied by a student. There are interesting exhibits on both floors. The animal room upstairs is always a favorite with kids. The mustang exhibit in the main gallery includes a box of old horse bones for the kids to check out.
Downstairs is set up like a stroll down Main Street several decades ago. There are shops, a restaurant, a barbershop and a drug store. On the wall opposite the elevator are the historic timelines for Gardnerville and Minden. Each exhibit will be decorated for the Holidays, making it interesting and fun to see what Christmas might have looked like in the Victorian parlor or the kitchen.
While you're here, be sure to check out the 11th annual gallery of trees. All trees will be set up, decorated and just waiting for the voting to determine which one is best. Each vote costs a quarter and you can vote as many times as you like. It all depends on how many quarters you have.
By now you know that Sunday, Dec. 2 is the date for the Cookie Walk and Mad Hatter Tea. There just might be a seat or two still available for the tea. Call 782-2555 or check at the main desk if you are interested in joining us. You do not have to be a member of the historical society to attend the tea.
Another upcoming event is the Carson Valley Arts Council's third annual Gingerbread House Decorating Contest, Dec. 3-15 at the museum. Gingerbread houses will be displayed at the museum until Dec. 15 with a reception on the Dec. 3 and prizes will be awarded.
In January, the exhibit committee is busy putting Christmas decorations away and getting ready for another event filled museum year. We are hoping for a grant for another mural in the main gallery depicting the initial settlements along the immigrant trail. We are also working on a grant for exhibit space in the "back yard" which will feature a barnyard with various farm related items. I will have more information on these projects in future columns.
If you have any questions about anything mentioned here, please call the Douglas County Historical Society at the Carson Valley Museum in Gardnerville at 782-2555. Visit our Web site at www.historicnevada.org. And if you have the time, the museum is always looking for interested volunteers.
-- Contact Ellen Caywood at in2my2cats@yahoo.com or 790-1565.
