Valley history presented at free event

GARDNERVILLE, Nev.

by Sharlene Irete

People Editor

Stories about the lives of Carson Valley pioneers are presented in "Portrait of a Pioneer Lady," which returns on Student-Senior Day at the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center on March 7.

"Portrait of a Pioneer Lady" was written by Grace Dangberg and Beatrice Fettic Jones, descendants of Carson Valley pioneers and both known for their work to preserve area history.

Dangberg, 1896-1985, was granddaughter of H.F. Dangberg, a German immigrant whose family founded Minden, Nev. She was nominated to the Women in History Project in 2002 for recording the history of Carson Valley and for helping organize the Carson Valley Historical Society.

Jones is the great-granddaughter of Israel and Eliza Mott, among the first settlers of Genoa. Jones participated in the oral history project documenting life in Carson Valley from the 1850s to the 1950s. She was recognized as a 2001 honoree for the Carson Valley Historical Society's Women in History Project.

"Portrait of a Pioneer Lady" was based on a conversation between Gene Fettic, grandson of Mrs. Mott-Taylor, and his former teacher, Mrs. John B. Dangberg. The oral history was recorded in 1962 when the subjects were in their 80s. The conversation describes domestic duties of pioneer women such as milking cows, churning butter, making cheese and braiding straw hats.

"Portrait of a Pioneer Lady" was sponsored by the Carson Valley Historical Society and published by the Nevada Department of Education in 1974.

Free admission for seniors and students with accompanying adult on Student-Senior Day on March 7 at the museum, 1477 Highway 395, Gardnerville. Theatrical readings of "Portrait of a Pioneer Lady," at 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Museum tours led by costumed docents, 10 a.m., noon and 2 p.m. Student-Senior Days are the first Saturday of every month.

Information, 782-2555.