Douglas County Historical Society

Heritage Lecture with Debbe Nye
2026-04-09 18:30 - 20:00 UTC | CVM&CC
Thursday, April 9
6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

Chautauqua historian Debbe Nye is a dedicated local researcher and longtime genealogist who brings history to life through storytelling. She has researched and written scripts for cemetery tours, historic walks, Women in History programs, Chautauqua performances, and regularly assists fellow historians with research projects. An active volunteer with several history organizations, Debbe is passionate about preserving and sharing our regional heritage.
For this Heritage Lecture, Debbe will present “The History of Chautauqua,” exploring the origins of the movement and its lasting impact on education, culture, and living history programs today.
Doors open: 6:00 p.m Lecture begins: 6:30 p.m.
Admission: $5 at the door. Free admission for members of the Alpine County, Dayton Valley, and Douglas County Historical Societies.

Mayflower Society Open House
2026-04-18 11:00 - 14:00 | CVM&CC
Mayflower Society Open House
Saturday, April 18
11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Come and meet the descendants of the Mayflower residing in the Carson Valley. Learn about the historic 1620 voyage of the Mayflower. Come see if the Mayflower is part of your family history. Light refreshments will be served. FREE ADMISSION!

Young Chautauqua Performance
2026-04-25 13:00 - 14:00 | Genoa Town Hall, 2287 Main Street, Genoa, 89411, United States
Genoa Western Heritage Days
Young Chautauqua Performance
Saturday, April 25
1:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Bring the whole family to the Genoa Town Hall, as part of the Genoa Western Heritage Days. Enjoy an inspiring afternoon where history comes to life through youth performances that celebrate creativity, storytelling, and community. Join us for this special event and experience the past in a fun and engaging way!

Art & Wine on the Green
2026-05-02 - 2026-05-03 | Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center, 1477 Hwy 395 North, Gardnerville, 89410, United States
Art & Wine on the Green
Saturday, May 2 | Sunday, May 3
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Visit Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center and enjoy a glass of wine while perusing fine art on the oldest lawn in Gardnerville!

Family Day at the Museum
2026-05-02 11:00 - 14:00 | CVM&CC
Family Day at the Museum
May 2 | 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center
Join us for a fun-filled Family Day featuring a special DC Muay Thai & Mixed Martial Arts demonstration with Travis Dohrn! Bring the whole family and enjoy an afternoon of hands-on activities and exploration.
✨ Mother’s Day crafts
✨ WNC activities
✨ Scavenger hunt
✨ “Find Bugsy” challenge
✨ Kids activity page
✨ Explore our museum exhibits
Free admission for all!
Come celebrate, create, and discover with us!

KARMELE - Basque Film Tour
2026-05-12 18:00 - 21:00 | Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center, 1477 Hwy 395 North, Gardnerville, 89410, United States
🎬 KARMELE — Coming to Gardnerville!
We’re thrilled to bring the🎬 KARMELE — Coming to Gardnerville!
We’re thrilled to bring the Basque Film Tour to the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center!
KARMELE, the latest film by acclaimed Basque director Asier Altuna, tells the story of a family exiled by war in 1937 — finding strength through culture, music, and art. In Basque with English subtitles.
📅 Tuesday, May 12th
🕕 6:00 PM
📍 Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center
💵 Suggested $5 donation to the museum at the door
A Q&A with the director will follow the screening. Don’t miss this powerful piece of Basque cinema — right here in the Carson Valley!
🔴⚪🟢 #BasqueFilmTour #Karmele #BasqueCountry #Euskara #GardnervilleBasqueClub #CarsonValley to the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center!
KARMELE, the latest film by acclaimed Basque director Asier Altuna, tells the story of a family exiled by war in 1937 — finding strength through culture, music, and art. In Basque with English subtitles.
📅 Tuesday, May 12th
🕕 6:00 PM
📍 Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center
💵 Suggested $5 donation to the museum at the door
A Q&A with the director will follow the screening. Don’t miss this powerful piece of Basque cinema — right here in the Carson Valley!
🔴⚪🟢 #BasqueFilmTour #Karmele #BasqueCountry #Euskara #GardnervilleBasqueClub #CarsonValley

Heritage Lecture with Tami Force
2026-05-14 18:30 - 20:00 | CVM&CC
Thursday, March 12
6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Author Talk & Book Signing with Tami Force
Join the Douglas County Historical Society at the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center for an evening with Tami Force, an avid photographer and explorer of Nevada’s ghost towns, historic mining camps, and backroads.
Tami will speak about her newest books, In the Shadow of the Sierra and In the Glow of the Sierra.
For more information about Tami Force and her adventures, visit https://nvtami.com/
Doors open: 6:00 p.m Lecture begins: 6:30 p.m.
Admission: $5 at the door. Free admission for members of the Alpine County, Dayton Valley, and Douglas County Historical Societies.

Third Thursday Wine Walk
2026-05-21 16:30 - 19:30, 2026-06-18 16:30 - 19:30, 2026-07-16 16:30 - 19:30, 2026-08-20 16:30 - 19:30, 2026-09-17 16:30 - 19:30 | Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center, 1477 Hwy 395 North, Gardnerville, 89410, United States
Join us at the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center for an evening of community, connection, and local flavor during the Main Street Gardnerville Third Thursday Wine Walk. From 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., stroll through downtown, sip and sample, and show your support for local merchants and small businesses.
Not a wine enthusiast? No problem. Despite the name, the Wine Walk offers something for everyone—enjoy non-alcoholic beverages, tasty bites, live music, and a welcoming atmosphere. It’s the perfect way to explore downtown Gardnerville, meet new people, and celebrate the local business community.

Family Day at the Museum
2026-06-06 11:00 - 14:00 | CVM&CC
Saturday, June 6, 2026, from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Bring the whole family to Family Day at the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center. Enjoy a full afternoon of hands-on fun both inside and out!
Outside, meet Jeff Benik with the Comstock Gold Prospectors who will set up a gold panning station on our front lawn. Inside, kids can explore WNC activities, join a scavenger hunt, find Bugsy, Kids Page activities, and discover the museum exhibits.
It’s a fun-filled day of history, learning, and family-friendly entertainment you won’t want to miss!

Family Day at the Courthouse Museum, Genoa
2026-07-04 11:00 - 15:00 | Courthouse Museum Genoa, 2304 Main Street, Genoa, NV, 89411, United States
Friday, July 4, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Join us at the Courthouse Museum in Genoa as we celebrate the 4th of July

Ringing of the Bell, Family Day table with Patriotic Leis
Free Admission!

Heritage Lecture with Russell Scossa
2026-07-09 18:30 - 20:00 | CVM&CC
Thursday, July 9
6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Join us at the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center as we welcome Russell Scossa, who will speak about the Scossa family history, ranching life, and share the enduring legacy of one of Carson Valley’s historic ranching families.
Established in 1859 and purchased in 1885 by the Scossa brothers, Swiss immigrants, the Scossa Ranch has remained in the family for more than 140 years. The Scossas developed the property into a successful beef and dairy operation, a tradition that continues today.
The ranch includes fourteen buildings, highlighted by the 1908 timber-frame Scossa Barn. Identified as a transverse crib barn, it features a central passageway with a hay loft above for winter feed storage. Its distinctive first-floor doors display a parquet diamond design believed to reflect the family’s Swiss heritage—unique in Carson Valley.
Doors open: 6:00 p.m Lecture begins: 6:30 p.m.
$5 at the door. Free admission for members of the Alpine County, Dayton Valley, and Douglas County Historical Societies.
