July events begin with guest speaker and Chautauqua at Dangberg Historic Park

In July, events begin with a presentation on the “Mountains and Peaks of Carson Valley” and a Chautauqua presentation of Caleb Greenwood at the Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park.

Allen Biaggi will give a presentation 10 a.m. July 10 on the real names of the mountains surrounding Carson Valley. Biaggi will also speak on when they were formed and how they impact the perception of those who live in and visit Carson Valley. 

Biaggi is a third-generation Nevadan from Douglas County and a graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno, with degrees in hydrology and in architectural engineering design. He served as the director of Nevada’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and as the administrator of the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection. During his tenure with the state, he served on numerous boards and commissions including The Commission on Workplace Safety, the Governor’s Climate Change Committee, the Lake Tahoe Bi-State Fire Commission and on the Governing Board of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency. He is currently Principal of A. Biaggi and Associates, LLC, a natural resource consulting firm, and also sits on the Sagebrush Ecosystem Council and serves as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Tahoe Fund.

Chautauquan Frank X. Mullen will present 6:30 p.m. July 14, “Caleb Greenwood: Mountaineer and Guide.” Caleb Greenwood went into the wilderness west of the Mississippi River three years after the return of Lewis and Clark and died during the California Gold Rush. He is a human metaphor for the opening of the West and a buckskin colossus, even among mountain men. 

Greenwood knew everyone and did everything, and then he lied and bragged about his accomplishments. In 1844 he signed on as a guide for the Townsend-Stephens-Murphy Party which became the first party to take wagons over the Sierra.

Mullen is a Reno-based journalist and author, who has taught classes since 1999 at the Reynolds School of Journalism at the University of Nevada, Reno, and lectures about Western history and journalism. 

This event is $10 for adults, and free for members and youth 16 and younger.

Please bring your own seating and no pets allowed - service animals only. Guests are welcome to bring a picnic to enjoy as no food or beverages will be sold at these events. All events are held outdoors.

“Both of these presenters are well known in their several areas of expertise. We are excited about what they can bring to our audiences,” said Park Events Manager Kim Harris.

This event is sponsored by Douglas County, Carson Valley Accounting, Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce, Dr. James the Dentist, Edward Jones Investments – Tim Cleveland, Horse Tales, D&B Cabinets, Holiday Inn Express – Minden, Hone Company, Jacobs Family Berry Farm, Mangia Tutto, The Pink House, and Frances C. and William P. Smallwood Foundation. Additional support for the park is provided by Robert E. Schilling Charitable Fund and TruNorth Wealth Management.

Upcoming events for the festival season include Milton Merlos playing Flamenco guitar, July 15; Steve Hale will perform a Chautauqua of “George Whittle Jr.”, July 21; and Michael Fischer will give a presentation on “Dominique Laxalt: An Iron Man that Started in a Wooden Wagon”, on July 24.

The full 2021 Dangberg Summer Festival event schedule is available at Dangberg.org.