Dangberg tours start Wednesday

Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park tours begin Wednesday. The tours combine a discussion of Dangberg family and Carson Valley history with displays of artifacts from the 19th century through the 1980s. A variety of historic objects give insight into the lives of four generations of Nevadans.

Tours are conducted Wednesday through Sundays at 10 a.m., with a second tour on Saturdays and Sundays at 2 p.m. The tours last about an hour and a half. Advance reservations are required and can be made by calling the park at 775-783-9417 or by emailing me at dangbergranch@parks.nv.gov. Tours are limited to 10 people, but larger groups can request special arrangements. Tour admission is $3 for adults and free for children under 13.

The park is located at 1450 Highway 88, one-half mile south of the Carson Valley Swim Center. A map and further information can be found at parks.nv.gov/hr.htm or by calling 775-783-9417.

Gardnerville's Plant It Nursery is sponsoring the continued re-creation of the flower garden of Gertrude Hironymous Dangberg. In addition to the daffodils, peonies and lilacs found growing there, park staff and volunteers have added hyacinths, tulips, iris and more.

"Stories of Gertrude's Garden" is one feature of the park's spring exhibit, "Dangberg Short Stories." Vintage gardening tools and seed catalogs will be presented alongside family photographs that show how Gertrude's garden looked in the past.

The exhibit will also present several other themes featuring selections from the thousands of historic artifacts, photographs and documents left by the Dangberg family. "Stories of Patriotism" will feature items connected with the Civil War, World War I and World War II. Souvenirs and photographs from three world's fairs comprise "Stories of the Midway," with a focus on the 1939 Golden Gate International Exhibition. The Dangbergs' connections to airplanes and pilots will be explored in "Stories of Flight," and the tragic impact of childhood disease will be told in "Stories of Love and Loss."

These and other stories of the past can be experienced from noon to 4 p.m. April 16-18. Admission is $3 for adults and free for children under 13. (Regular tours will not be offered during the exhibit.)