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. 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
