The Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park preserves eight historic structures built between 1857 and 1917, along with a collection of artifacts dating back to 1809. The buildings and the collection help tell the story of the four generations of the Dangberg ranching family. Founder Heinrich Friedrich Dangberg was a German immigrant and one of the first settlers of Carson Valley. Dangberg and the family company, the Dangberg Land and Live Stock Co., were influential in the development of Carson Valley and founded the town of Minden in 1905. The Dangberg ranch house, built between 1857 and 1917, is the park's highlight, and visitors have two options for seeing inside. The first option is a guided tour available by advance reservation, Wednesdays through Sundays at 10:30 am. Participants see the entire main level of the ranch house with the help of an expert guide. There is no charge for youth ages 8-16, but children younger than eight are not permitted on the tour. Friends of Dangberg members pay nothing for the tour. Reservations can be made by calling 775-783-9417. Group size for this tour is limited to eight people. Larger groups can inquire about special options. The second visitor option is an afternoon open house, when all ages are welcome to drop by unannounced to see inside a limited portion of the ranch house, Tuesdays through Sundays, 1:00pm to 4:00pm. The experience is self-guided, but volunteer docents and staff are available to answer questions and assist visitors. Reservations are not needed. There is no admission fee for the afternoon open house, but we hope that visitors make a donation of their choice to support the continued the park's continued care. Donations enable programming, maintenance, and the preservation of historic buildings and structures. Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park is occasionally closed for a private function or we're having an event that requires a ticket. Otherwise, the park is a public park owned by the local county and is open during daylight hours seven days a week. Several buildings are always open when staffed, usually Tuesdays through Sundays. If the gate is shut, that's because there are cattle in the pasture--just open the gate, park inside the fence, and leave the gate how you found it. The access road from the highway crosses private land, so parking along the road is not permitted. The 1875 barn, corral and deteriorating brick slaughterhouse (danger!) are also on private land. Please do not trespass. Tour Groups: Bus tours and other large groups are welcome! We have a special program and pricing available for you, and the park's large tent and picnic tables make for an excellent lunch stop. We can refer you to catering and other services, including a Chautauqua appearance by an historic figure. Just contact us for more information and to reserve a date. The Friends of Dangberg Home Ranch, Inc., is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization incorporated in Nevada and dedicated to the preservation and operation of the Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park. Donations can be made on the park's website (or by mail) and may be tax-deductible. Federal tax ID #27-5385237.
