Kim Harris portrays Charley Parkhurst for Jacks Valley and Minden elementary school students during the 2017 Western Heritage Festival in Genoa. R-C file photo by Brad Coman
The nonprofit Friends of Dangberg Home Ranch announced that Kim Harris, the organization’s Events Manager, will add the development of educational programs for youth to her responsibilities. She will continue the summer youth activities at Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park and provide in-school history and Chautauqua presentations.
“As the park’s Events Manager, I’ve enjoyed bringing history to our guests over the last ten years, in creative and interesting ways,” Harris said. “I look forward to sharing my love of history with the kids, especially sharing Chautauqua, when the audience meets an historic figure and is inspired to learn more.”
In addition to her current role planning and hosting the Dangberg Summer Festival, Harris will also take over the summer activities developed by Sierra Meszaros, the park’s former Education Specialist. After a successful season, Meszaros recently left that position to focus on her doctoral studies in anthropology at the University of Nevada, Reno.
Because of Meszaros’ work, dozens of children came to the park in 2024 for activities including Wild West Adventure Day (agriculture), Wild West Reading Day (books), Morning in the Garden (plants), World Photography Day (cameras), solar gazing and stargazing (telescopes), and a kite-flying weekend.
In her new capacity, Harris and the park’s volunteers will continue providing engaging activities that teach and spark creativity, with more information to be announced in the spring.
Harris will also take the park’s resources to students, with in-school presentations about local history for third and fourth grades. Students can also learn about and participate in the art and scholarship of Chautauqua (in-character living history performances), taking advantage of Harris’ extensive experience in this area. In the spring, field trips to the park will help students learn more about the history of agriculture and community building in Douglas County and northern Nevada.
Teachers in public and private schools, as well as home school groups, are invited to contact Harris at 775-790-6662 or events@dangberg.org for more information about in-class history and Chautauqua presentations, and spring field trips. Most activities and other education programming is offered at no charge, as part of the non-profit mission of Friends of Dangberg Home Ranch, a 501(c)(3) public charity.
The recent development of the park’s education programs is largely due to a generous grant from Frances C. and William P. Smallwood Foundation, received earlier this year. Other education program sponsors are Minden Fortnightly Club, Carson Valley Lions Club, and John C. Fremont Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution. Douglas County donates use of the park, and many individuals have pitched in with contributions.
Additional education sponsors are invited to help grow and improve this aspect of Friends of Dangberg’s service to the community. Businesses, service clubs, and other organizations can contact Harris for more information about sponsorship, with public recognition opportunities starting at $250. Individuals can also help support this and other aspects of Friends of Dangberg’s mission by making a membership donation at Dangberg.org.
