A Karelian bear dog waits patiently in the back of a Nevada Department of Wildlife truck in Gardnerville in January.
Photo by Kurt Hildebrand.
The Douglas County Historical Society aims “to enrich lives by preserving and collecting local history and making it accessible to our communities and visitors” (historicnv.org). In that spirit, DCHS marches toward spring by offering a variety of family friendly events this month.
Family Day
Family Day is 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. the first Saturday of each month except July at the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center, 1477 Main St. in Gardnerville. On Saturday, visitors can learn how Karelian bear dogs are used in the management of wildlife from 10 a.m. to noon and will have opportunities to partake in other activities and games until 2 p.m. Family Day is free and open to the public.
For each visit made to a Family Day event in 2023, attendees earn a chance to win a $100 gift certificate from the museum bookstore. The more family visits made, the greater the chances of winning the drawing, which takes place in December.
Guest Speaker Series
This month’s Heritage Guest Lecture Series speaker is local author Karen Dustman, who has penned dozens of nonfiction books and hundreds of magazine articles and been featured in numerous podcasts and YouTube videos. Dustman also launched the independent Clairitage Press, which is “devoted to books on California/Nevada history and preserving oral histories” (clairitage.com).
On Thursday, March 9, Dustman will speak about her four-book series on “The Old Genoa Cemetery.” Her latest title in the series is “King of the Comstock South,” a biography of “Alpine County’s own hopeful silver king,” Lewis Chalmers.
The talk takes place at CVMCC; doors open at 6 p.m. with the lecture starting at 6:30 p.m. Cost is $5 at the door; Alpine, Dayton, Douglas County, and Smith Valley historical society members get free admission.
More information about Dustman can be found on her website, karendustman.com. Look for a link on the homepage to sign up for Dustman’s free email newsletter, which features history tales about the Carson Valley and surrounding areas.
Women in History Remembering Project
March is Women’s History Month, authorized by the U.S. Congress in 1987 “to commemorate and encourage the study, observance, and celebration of the vital role of women in American history” (womenshistorymonth.gov).
Inspired by the National Women’s History Project and the Nevada Women’s History Project, the Women in History Remembering Project collects stories about local women who have made a significant contribution to the quality of life in Douglas County.
On March 11, a special induction ceremony honoring a number of these women takes place at the Gardnerville museum. Doors open at 1 p.m. for a community meet and greet, and the 2 p.m. presentation will be followed by light refreshments. This event is free and open to the public.
Quilt Guild hosts bed turning
National Quilting Day is observed the third Saturday each March and to celebrate, the Carson Valley Quilt Guild presents an old fashioned “bed turning” on March 18. Guild members will demonstrate quilting techniques and present an old fashioned “bed turning,” in which artists share the history and lore behind their quilts. This free event takes place from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Visit cvqg.com for more information about the Carson Valley Quilt Guild or find them on Facebook.
DCHS operates both the Gardnerville museum and the Genoa Courthouse Museum, 2304 Main St. in Genoa. Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center is open 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Monday-Friday, and the Genoa museum will reopen April 29 after being closed for the winter season. Admission at both museums is $5 for adults, $2 for youth, and free for visitors ages 0-6.
For more information or questions about any of the listed programs, call 775-782-2555.
Amy Roby can be reached at ranchosroundup@hotmail.com.
