Historical society plans spring events

We have a winner in our history contest. Terry Capton-Snell found out that Jerry Thran was the senior class president of Douglas County High School in 1954. Congratulations to Terry on being the first to go into the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center in Gardnerville with the right answer.

Our next history question is: Who was the first chief of the Washoe Tribe? Go into the Gardnerville museum to find the answer. Tell the docent at the front desk and win a prize. When you get to the museum, you might want to start your search for the answer in the Washoe Room. Good luck.

Our thanks to all who attended the Women in History reception Saturday. Everyone had a great time and our honorees were well represented. Thank you for your interest in the history of our beautiful valley.

Our annual volunteer recognition reception is April 23 at the Gardnerville museum. If you are a volunteer and have not received your e-mail invitation, call Cindy at 782-2555. All our volunteers are loved and appreciated and invited to our annual thank-you party. Hope to see you there.

If you are not a volunteer, now is the time to get involved. You can choose to work at either museum. You need only work a few hours a month or a few hours every week. We always need smiling faces at our main museum desks. Call Cindy or Grace at 782-2555 and tell them you want to volunteer so you can be honored at next year's volunteer recognition reception.

Have you purchased your tickets for the upcoming Genoa Cowboy Poetry & Music Festival? The Genoa Courthouse Museum opens early this year so the cowboy poetry fans can also visit us. Doors open April 28, but our official opening is May 1, when we feature Marilyn Elligott demonstrating spinning techniques on the front porch at 11 a.m. and 1p.m.

As our part in Historic Preservation Month, we are holding a barn tour along the historic Emigrant Trail. This trail played a vital role in the early history of Nevada and especially Carson Valley. Many of these barns are 100-plus years old and are a tribute to the pioneers who developed this land. Tickets will be on sale at the end of April for the May 22 tour. Plan now to attend this historic tour and enjoy our landmark barns.

Have you seen us on Facebook yet? From your Facebook page, just search for us, Douglas County Historical Society. We're posting events and new information all the time. Come see what's new at your local museums.

For 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.