Take a journey into the past and discover the story of Douglas County from early pioneer days to the present. The path of history is exhibited in two unique museums located in Northern Nevada’s Carson Valley; just a 20 minute drive east of South Lake Tahoe or a 15 minute drive south of Carson City.Carson Valley is considered the garden spot of Nevada; and as you drive along Highway 395, you see why. It was here in this rich, green valley that weary pioneers stopped to rest after months of hard travel. As businesses sprang up, some stayed and began farming and ranching the area. The Douglas County Historical Society (DCHS) commemorates the area’s heritage at the Courthouse Museum in Genoa and the Carson Valley Museum and Cultural Center in Gardnerville. Douglas County residents are very fortunate to have a rich and exciting history. Many of the events that make up the colorful history of Nevada happened here.

July Update!   The deadline for entering photos into the June photo contest is 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, June 30. Bring them to the Gardnerville museum or email them to in2my2cats@yahoo.com. The June photo winner will be announced in Ellen Caywood ’s Mainstreet Moments column in The Record-Courier over the next couple of weeks.   The Exhibit Committee has been busy in the Changing Gallery adding a Douglas High School exhibit. As most of you know, the Gardnerville Museum was originally Douglas County High School . This new exhibit features photos from the classes of 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958 and 1962. The Class of 1959 is on exhibit in a case in the lobby as this is their 50th reunion year. One full wall features a pictorial history of Douglas County High School . If you are a graduate, come in and check out your class. If not, come in and see what it was like when this building housed the high school. Even if this is not your high school, the exhibit is sure to bring back memories.   Were you or your parents were graduates of Douglas High and do you have any old yearbooks? We are missing several years’ editions and would love to complete our collection. If you have a Douglas High School yearbook, you would like to donate, please call the Museum at 775-782-2555.   There will be no Student-Senior Day in July as Saturday is July 4 and the Gardnerville Museum will be closed. However, the Courthouse Museum in Genoa will be open. Come by and view our wonderful exhibits; you can also bring a picnic and enjoy the Sierra Philharmonic Orchestra right across the street at Mormon Station State Park in celebration of the 4th.   The lecture series on Thursday, July 9, will feature our own Laurie Hickey speaking about the Trail to the Promised Land through Carson Valley . This is the story of the Carson River Route of the Emigrant Trail through Carson Valley to Tragedy Springs. The trail is still visible today, 159 years later. The lecture starts at 7:00 p.m. and admission is $3.00 to non-DCHS members and free for members.   July swap meets will be held on Saturday, July 11 and July 25. While the weather is still cool, plan an early morning cleaning out the garage or the attic and arrange for a booth to sell your excess. There is someone out there just waiting for what you have to sell. Booth space is only $10.00. If you do not want to sell, plan to come out to see what’s new and what’s selling this year.   Student-Senior day is on Saturday, August 1 and will be held later than usual. We will be showing the movie filmed in Carson Valley , “Chicken Every Sunday”, at 2:00 p.m. When the movie is over, you can go directly out to the parking lot for our annual Taste of the Towns event. While admission to the movie is free, tickets for the Taste of the Towns are $20 for DCHS members or $25 for non-members. This popular fundraiser for the Historical Society starts at 5:00 p.m. and goes to 9:00 p.m. You can park at the Carson Valley Museum and Cultural Center to begin your tasting.   There are 13 restaurants participating where you will be able to enjoy Mexican & Italian cuisines, sweets, coffee, Basque, Pizza, American and smoothies! These establishments are:   · Overland Hotel & Basque Restaurant · J. T. Basque Bar & Dining Room · Two Guys From Italy · Woddett’s Diner · Bravo Café and Bakery · DW’s Restaurant of David Walley’s Resort · Papa Murphy’s · The Margarita Man · Grace & Ida’s Custom Cookies · Genoa Candy & Coffee Company · Keva Juice · Pine Nut Café · Qdoba Mexican Grill   Participating businesses include: · The Angler’s Edge · Heirloom Antiques · Three Room Gallery/Felix Pottery · Fresh Ideas · Classical Glass · Battle Born Wine · Ruby Rose Cowgirl Clothes · Cheshire Antiques · Country Carousel/CJS Floors   A number of these businesses will also feature food and beverage tastings. The “Taste” has a great lineup of entertainment including: Ben Crocker who is playing at the Museum, "Hot Two" will be at the J.T. again and Mike Maloney will be at Woodett’s. The businesses chip in to help pay for the music so please thank them when you go into their shops. Again, tickets for the Taste of the Towns are $20.00 for members of the Historical Society and $25.00 for non-members in advance and are available at both at the Carson Valley Museum and Cultural Center in Gardnerville and at the Courthouse Museum in Genoa . Tickets are limited, so get them early before we sell out. Our thanks go out to Thrivent Financial for partnering with us once again.   You will be able to pre-order your copy of the 2010 DCHS calendar at the Taste of the Towns this year. All of the winning photos on display for your viewing pleasure. There is no need to bring money; just decide how many calendars you would like to send to friends who are not lucky enough to live here.   The August Lecture series will be held on Thursday, August 13, and the August swap meets will be held on Saturday, August 13 and August 22. Summer doesn’t go quite that fast, but it sure does fly by. Don’t miss the fun we have planned for you this year.   If you have any questions about any of the events mentioned, please call the Douglas County Historical Society at the Carson Valley Museum in Gardnerville at 775-782-2555. Remember, DCHS and its two museums, the Carson Valley Museum in Gardnerville and the Courthouse Museum in Genoa , do not receive any regular state or county funding. It is up to our members and friends to help us keep our doors open.