Historic barn tour Saturday

The Douglas County Historical Society's Historic Emigrant Trail Barn Tour is Saturday. The purchase of a barn book ticket includes a free lecture and slide presentation on the Carson River route of the Emigrant Trail from the 40-Mile Desert to West Pass plus free admission to the Genoa Courthouse Museum and the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center in Gardnerville.

Tickets are $20, or $15 for DCHS members. Timber-framed barn expert Paul Oatman discusses the construction of these barns - some of the first in Carson Valley. Call 782-2555 to charge tickets by credit card. Bring ticket books with you on the tour; there is no admission without it.

The barn tour could be a great opportunity to take winning photos for the May photo contest. Submit to the museum or to the e-mail address below by May 31.

The annual Pony Express Re-ride is expected to arrive in Genoa on the evening of June 8. This is the 150-year anniversary so there will be celebrations all along the route. The riders stay overnight, there will be a presentation event and they depart June 9 for Carson City for another event. All times are tentative at this point; they leave Sacramento June 6.

The annual Young Chautauquans in the Park is June 16. This free event starts at 5 p.m. under the tent in Mormon Station State Historic Park. Bring a picnic supper to enjoy with the whole family and watch our young thespians re-enact history. Some of the people to meet are Annie Oakley, Calamity Jane, Nellie Bly and Elizabeth Blackwell. Diana Borges portrays Sarah Winnemucca to show how adult Chautauqua is done.

Our one and only summer flea market is June 19. Rent a 10-by-10 foot space in the Gardnerville museum parking lot for $10. Turnout should be good because Main Street Gardnerville is planning to have a garage sale and business sidewalk sale on the same day. Rent spaces at 782-2555 or historicnevada.org

Summer events include the annual Taste of the Towns on Aug. 7. This event is a must for finding out what is new and tasty in town. So, keep us in mind when you schedule your summer entertainment. We'll make sure you have a good time.

Contact the Douglas County Historical Society at www.historicnevada.org or 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.