Douglas County Historical Society

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, Scavenger Hunt, Family Day table with Patriotic Leis, Kid's Page Free Admission!

Thursday, July 10 David & Gayle will recount the Scandalous Tales of Misdeeds, Misconduct & Transgressions of Western Nevada's most contemptuous acts of lawlessness and villainy, and the improbable hooligans, sinners and victims involved. Doors Open at 6:00 p.m. Lecture Begins at  6:30 p.m. $5.00 at the door.  Free Admission to Alpine, Dayton, Smith Valley, […]

Third Thursday Wine Walk Join us at the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center for the Third Thursday Wine Walk! Happening on the third Thursday of each month from May through September, this event is your chance to sip and support our local downtown merchants and businesses, enjoy delicious tastings, and experience the charm of […]

Saturday, August 2, 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Join us for an unforgettable experiences at our Agricultural Day, featuring hands-on fun planting peas in a pod with Dennis Little outside on our front lawn. Perfect for all ages—come learn, play, and grow with us!  Inside the museum we will have our Family Day activities consisting […]

Third Thursday Wine Walk Join us at the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center for the Third Thursday Wine Walk! Happening on the third Thursday of each month from May through September, this event is your chance to sip and support our local downtown merchants and businesses, enjoy delicious tastings, and experience the charm of […]

                             Saturday, September 6, 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Join us for a fun-filled day with the Douglas County Sheriff and their K-9 Unit! Participate in an exciting scavenger hunt and discover where Bugsy is hiding. Don't miss our engaging museum exhibits, WNC […]

Visit the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center in Gardnerville, NV to view the artwork of Historian Wayne Scarpaci who will have an exhibit of original railroad art; many of which have never before been shown publicly.  The art exhibit “Iron Horses” runs from September 8 through the 17th with a special Meet the Artist […]

Please join us on September 11 at the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center as Historian Wayne Scarpaci speaks on “The Iron Horses of Nevada: an Overview of the Historical Railroads of Nevada.”  As well as being traversed by three of the largest trans-continental railroads, the Silver State was home to many short line railroads […]

Saturday, October 4 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.   Join us for Family Day at the Main Street Fall Festival at Heritage Park! Stop by the DCHS kids' game booth for fun activities and win exciting prize bags. Don't miss out on the fall festivities!

Heritage Lecture Series October 9, 2025 Please join at the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center as we welcome Sharon DeCarlo who will be speaking about Will James, a famous Nevada Cowboy, Artist and Author. Mr. James spent time in Saskatchewan and Montana before settling in Nevada, where he worked as a cowboy and began drawing […]

Saturday, November 1 We will not have Family Day at the Museum for November so everyone can Nevada Day parade and activities!

Ringing of the Bells At the 11th Hour of the 11th Day of the 11th Month The Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center in Gardnerville, Nevada, holds an annual "Ringing of the Bells" ceremony on November 11 at 11:00 a.m. to commemorate Veterans Day. This event honors the signing of the Armistice that ended World […]

Saturday, December 6, 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m Holiday Gala Kids' Activities Bring the little ones to our festive Holiday Gala at the museum! Kids can enjoy Christmas crafts, an exciting scavenger hunt, find Bugsy the Rabbit, receive a prize packet, pick up one of our Kid’s Page Activity leaflet, and discover the wonders of […]

Holiday Gala - Saturday, December 6 Doors open at 10:00 a.m. Visit our Gallery of Trees and Gingerbread House displays 10:00 a.m. Santa's Cookie Shop opens 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Selfies with Santa 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Family Day Games & Activities Watch the Parade of Lights from the museum.  Parade starts at […]

Family Day at the Museum February 7, 2026 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Bring the whole family for a fun, hands-on day at the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center featuring Empty Bowls of Douglas County with artist Lois Elliott. Guests are invited to paint ceramic bowls, which may be purchased at the end of the […]

Thursday, February 12, 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Join us for an engaging evening with David & Gayle Woodruff, presenters of “No Limits – No Boundaries: Tenacious Women of the Eastern Sierra.” Doors open: 6:00 p.m.Lecture begins: 6:30 p.m. Admission: $5 at the doorFree admission for members of the Alpine County, Dayton Valley, and Douglas County […]

Monthly Volunteer Coffee Social Thursday, February 19 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. Join us at Carson Valley Museum  & Cultural Center for our upcoming Volunteer Coffee as we discuss current projects, upcoming events, and new opportunities to support the Douglas County Historical Society. Enjoy a relaxed morning with coffee, tea, hot chocolate, light breakfast refreshments, […]

Thursday, March 12, 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. Please join us at the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center as we welcome Etienne Lekumberry for an engaging evening focused on all things Basque. This informal, question-and-answer–style presentation invites conversation and curiosity, offering attendees the opportunity to learn more about  Basque history, culture, and traditions. Doors […]

Please join us at the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center for an engaging Chautauqua-style evening as Debbe Nye brings the rich history of the Chautauqua movement to life. Through storytelling and historical insight, this program explores the cultural impact and enduring legacy of Chautauqua in America. Doors open: 6:00 p.m.  Program begins: 6:30 p.m. […]

  Author Talk & Book Signing with Tami Force Thursday, May 14 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 share photographs and stories from her travels […]