Carson Valley Museum unveils new exhibit

A new tenant has taken up residence on main street at the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center.

The grand opening of the thirst parlor exhibit is 1-4 p.m. Sunday.

“It’s not any particular saloon. It represents any saloon around 1900,” exhibit committee member Laurie Hickey said. “It’s an added item to the main street. Historically, the design lended itself to it perfectly. It’s across the street from the mercantile. It was one of the other things we thought we should have.

Along with Hickey, Irene Marshall and Betty Cordes spent five months transforming an old storage room into the saloon exhibit.

“We had to build the whole interior and put in the exhibit window. We built a bar and saloon. We made a gaming table and card table,” Hickey said. “Us three old women actually did a good job. I think it looks appropriate.”

Following the unveiling, Hickey encourages longtime community members to stay and help identify about 60 photographs from the 1880s to 1990s.

“We’ll have photos of Douglas County people, buildings and events,” Hickey said. “We want help identifying them. Who knows? They could be someone’s grandmother. We really want to get them identified while we still have a chance.”

Hickey also asked that people bring in their personal Douglas County historic photos, documents, family histories and genealogies to become a part of the museum’s collection.

“We want people to be aware we want these kinds of things. They are the history of Douglas County,” Hickey said. “If people don’t save them or give them to someone to protect them, they may be gone forever.”

The museum can make copies or put items on CD and give the originals back to the owner.

“We want to preserve and protect Douglas County history,” Hickey said. “If someone 50 years from now wants a picture of Laurie Hickey, they can come to the library and see it. We are creating history today that some time in the future will be pertinent to future generations.”

The museum boasts more than two dozen historical exhibits including women in history, family life & culture and a Washo room.

“If people haven’t been in a long time, this would be a good excuse to come,” Hickey said. “We’ve changed over the years and made lots of progress.”

The museum is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

It is located at 1477 Highway 395 in Gardnerville.

For more information, call 782-2555.