Area museums offer fun and inexpensible family activities

The March 7 performance of "Portrait of a Pioneer Lady" has been airing on Channel 16 at 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. all week. The last two showings are today. If you miss the reruns on Channel 16, we will most likely reprise the performance next March for Women in History Month.

If you are like the rest of us, in this economy you're looking for great things to do that don't cost a lot. We have a couple of suggestions for you. One is the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center in Gardnerville. Admission for adults is $3. Buying an annual membership in the Douglas County Historical Society will save you money in the long run since there are great things to do and see at the museum.

The second idea is the Genoa Court House Museum, which opens for the season with the celebration of Snowshoe Thompson Day on May 2. Dan Thompson of Snowshoe Thompson fame will be there at 11 a.m.

While museum admission will be free for seniors and students accompanied by an adult on opening Saturday, the rest of the summer admission is $3 for adults. You can see that a family membership can save you a lot of money as you enjoy the festivities at both museums all season long.

In celebration of the season opening of the Genoa Court House Museum in Genoa, the museum bookstore will feature a grand opening sale May 2 and 3. DCHS members receive a 20 percent discount on purchases and non-members receive 10 percent off. Stop in and shop with us and save even more while everything is on sale.

This year's Great Barns of Carson Valley Tour begins at 9 a.m. May 23. Barns included in the tour are located around Minden and Gardnerville, including the option of a special tour of the Dangberg Home Ranch. 

Your ticket is a booklet with a photo and history of each barn and a special poem written by cowboy poet Ken Gardner. Tickets go on sale soon, so make your plans now to join this special tour which concludes with a sweet ice cream social at the Gardnerville museum.

For any questions, contact the Douglas County Historical Society at www.historicnevada.org or at the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center in Gardnerville at 782-2555. Remember, DCHS and its two museums in Gardnerville and Genoa don't receive any regular state or county funding. It's up to our members and friends to help us keep our doors open.

Contact Ellen Caywood at in2my2cats@yahoo.com or 790-1565.