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Monday 11am - 3pm Tuesday 11am - 3am Wednesday 11am - 3pm Thursday 11am - 3pm Friday 11am - 3pm

Douglas County Historical Society

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Douglas County Historical Society

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The Douglas County Historical Society seeks to enrich lives by preserving local history and making it accessible to our communities and visitors.

We operate the Courthouse Museum in Genoa and the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center in Gardnerville. The Douglas County Historical Society, Nevada, seeks to enrich lives by preserving local history and making it accessible to our communities and visitors. The DCHS operates two museums, the Courthouse Museum in Genoa, Nevada and the Carson Valley Museum and Cultural Center in Gardnerville. The Courthouse Museum is located in the heart of Genoa, Nevada’s first permanent town, settled by John Reese in 1851. The courthouse was constructed by Rufus Adams and Lawrence Gilman in 1865 when Genoa was the county seat of Douglas County. In 1916, the county seat was moved to Minden, a thriving new town in the center of the valley. The courthouse building was used as a school from 1916 until 1956. In 1969, it was opened as a museum by the Carson Valley Historical Society now operating as the Douglas County (Nevada) Historical Society. The Carson Valley Museum and Cultural Center is located in the former Douglas County High School building, designed by famed architect Frederic J. DeLongchamps in 1915. In 1988, the school board leased the building to the Carson Valley Historical Society. Through grants from Douglas County, the State of Nevada and many private donations, the society renovated the structure to represent and promote the local history and culture of: Lake Tahoe, Genoa, Minden, Gardnerville, Topaz Lake and the Washoe Tribe. The restoration was completed on August 19, 1995

10/01/2026

Heritage Lecture Series
Thursday, October 8

Everyone has a story to tell. Each memory shared helps bring Carson Valley history to life. Join us at the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center to hear native valley residents Laurie Hickey, Ruby Roach, Mike Hikey and Dale Bohlman recount their life and times about growing up the Carson Valley.

Doors Open: 6:00 p.m.
Lecture Begins: 6:30 p.m.
Admission: $5 at the door

Free admission for Douglas County Historical Society and Alpine County Historical Society members

Each time you visit a DCHS Heritage Lecture in 2026 you earn a chance to win a $100 gift certificate from the museum bookstore. The more lectures you attend, the greater your chances of winning! The drawing will be held on Thursday, November 12, 2026. Need not be present to win.

The DCHS Heritage Lecture Series is sponsored in part by:
Dennis R Little Trust
Sponsorship opportunities are available for this event. Contact the DCHS Front Office at 775-782-2555.

09/14/2026

On behalf of the Douglas County Historical Society’s Board of Trustees and museum staff we extent our sincerest thanks to our volunteers. They are the life blood that keeps our museums up and running! We couldn’t do it with out you.

09/09/2026

Heritage Lecture Series
Naval Art Exhibit
Thursday, September 10, 2026

Wayne Scarpaci will discuss the history behind his artwork representing US Navy ships whose names are associated with our great state, including the USS Nevada, USS Reno, USS Minden, USS Douglas County and the USS Carson City.

A special reception for the artist/lecturer will start at 5:30 p.m. and the lecture will begin at 6:30 p.m. The museum doors open to guests and members at 5:00 p.m.

$5:00 at the door. Free for DCHS and Alpine County Historical Society members.

Each time you visit us at our Heritage Lecture Series in 2026 you earn a chance to win a $100 gift certificate from our bookstore. The more lecture series you attend, the greater your chances of winning! The drawing will be held on Thursday, November 12, 2026. Need not be present to win.

The DCHS Heritage Lecture Series is sponsored in part by the Dennis R Little Trust

Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center
1477 US Hwy 395 N

Visit us online at www.HistoricNV.org
Info 775-782-2555

08/18/2026

Genoa Courthouse Museum Exhibit Opening
Guns, Gold Greed…
The Blackburs in Nevada Territory
Thursday, August 27

The Douglas County Historical Society will reveal its latest exhibit, “Guns, Gold, Greed… The Blackburn’s in Nevada Territory.” Join us at the Courthouse Museum in Genoa for our latest exhibit portraying the Wild West at its very best. Fine wines paired with delicate hors d’oeuvres by Sierra Chef.

This exhibit was created by the Douglas County Hisotrical Society though the generous support of the Blackburn Family association.

Free Admission
Doors Open 4:00 p.m. Reception runs though 6:00 p.m.

08/13/2026

We're happy to report power is back on at the museum and the storm is leaving the valley. We're ready and set to go for this evening's heritage lecture.

Heritage Lecture Series
Thursday, August 13

Using extensive research and seldom scene images, historians David & Gayle Woodruff delve into the ‘human heart’ of Manzanar Internment Camp, revealing a few little‑known stories of Japanese Americans whose lives were upended and reshaped behind its barbed‑wire horizon. Through stark moments of loss, flashes of defiance, and the fragile rituals that helped people hold onto identity during a very challenging time, these vignettes illuminate the extraordinary resilience of ordinary individuals. These true tales of history remind us that Manzanar was not merely a wartime policy—it was a crucible of human endurance, dignity, and quiet, unyielding hope. A 55-minute moving and reflective slideshow.

Doors Open at 6:00 p.m.
Lecture Begins 6:30 p.m.
$5.00 at the Door. DCHS, Alpine County and Dayton Historical Society of Dayton Valley - FREE

07/29/2026

We hope you will stop by and say hi.

07/20/2026

Heritage Lecture Series
Thursday, August 13

Using extensive research and seldom scene images, historians David & Gayle Woodruff delve into the ‘human heart’ of Manzanar Internment Camp, revealing a few little‑known stories of Japanese Americans whose lives were upended and reshaped behind its barbed‑wire horizon. Through stark moments of loss, flashes of defiance, and the fragile rituals that helped people hold onto identity during a very challenging time, these vignettes illuminate the extraordinary resilience of ordinary individuals. These true tales of history remind us that Manzanar was not merely a wartime policy—it was a crucible of human endurance, dignity, and quiet, unyielding hope. A 55-minute moving and reflective slideshow.

Doors Open at 6:00 p.m.
Lecture Begins 6:30 p.m.

$5.00 at the Door. DCHS, Alpine County and Dayton Historical Society of Dayton Valley - FREE

07/02/2026

The Carson Valley Musuem & Cultural Center will be closed Friday, July 3, in recognition of the Fourth of July Holiday.

The Courthouse Musuem will be open Friday and Saturday for Geona’s Americana Celebration. We hope you will join us for a day of old-fashioned American fun: Parades, Music, Performances, Music, and food! Festivities kick-off on July 4th with the ringing of the historic Genoa Schol House Bell. We hope to you will join us.

Be sure to keep an eye out for Snowshoe Thompson and Lillian Virigan. They will be appearing throughout the town in including the Courthouse Musuem.

https://visitcarsonvalley.org/events/genoa-americana-celebration-3/

Address

1477 US Highway 395 N, Suite B
Gardnerville, NV
89410

Opening Hours

Monday	11am - 3pm
Tuesday	11am - 3am
Wednesday	11am - 3pm
Thursday	11am - 3pm
Friday	11am - 3pm

Telephone

+1 775-782-2555

Website

http://www.HistoricNV.org/

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