Question 3 would support county museums

The Douglas County Historical Society cannot afford to hire much-needed staff for Douglas County's two museums, said society president Grace Bower.

Operations at the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center in Gardnerville are held together by a part-time office manager, part-time curator, a janitor, and part-time bookkeeper. It isn't enough, Bower said.

"We need a director (for both museums)," she said. "Part of our job is to educate. We're starting a lecture series in January at the Carson Valley museum."

She's asking voters to approve Question 3, a measure that would levy 3Ú4 of one cent per $100 assessed valuation, or just $7.88 a year for a home assessed at $300,000.

"A lot of people think we're funded by Douglas County, but that's not true," she said.

The museums do receive a small grant from the county, but that funding is not guaranteed. Museum officials must submit a request every year, Bower said.

"I'm putting in up to 100 hours a month. I'm on call 24Ú7," she said. "I don't believe how hard the people on the exhibits committee work. We have a hard time getting volunteers to work the phones or the gift shop."

Advocate Marlena Hellwinkel said volunteers are doing the best they can, but they need guidance to properly preserve the historical treasures in their charge.

"The Douglas County Historical Society is the only depository for Douglas County history," she said. "I see the interest newcomers have in the history of this community. They seem hungry for our history and we are there to serve that need."

About 9,000 people visit both museums during the course of a year, a third of those for special projects, Bower said.

"I'm amazed at how many history buffs find us from all over the U.S.," said Dee Hart, who coordinates volunteers and handles the gift shop at the Genoa Courthouse Museum. "People come from all over, just to see our Snowshoe Thompson exhibit. They love it."

Maintenance and other costs are rising and proponents for passage say the budget is not enough to keep the museums in proper repair and adequately maintain the collections.

If Question 3 is approved, the funding would raise about $280,000 annually for the historical society, which currently has a budget of $150,000.

Right now, funding is cobbled together using membership dues, admissions, memorials, grants, fundraising, private donations and volunteer efforts.

Question 3 opponents argue it's difficult to justify the expenditure when other important public services are in need.

"The cultural and educational benefits of our two wonderful museums is not debated here," according to the argument against passage. "What's at issue is whether we can afford a tax increase."

State law allows a property tax levy of up to 5 cents on each $100 of assessed valuation. The money dedicated to the museum can be used for salaries, building and maintaining exhibits, the purchase of cabinets and display items and for conducting other activities related to a museum.

"The money isn't for capital improvements," Bower said. "We have to find money for that somewhere else."

A private nonprofit established in 1961, the Douglas County Historical Society has operated the Genoa Courthouse Museum since 1964.

The second museum, Carson Valley Museum and Cultural Center, opened in the former Douglas County High School building in 1995 and has been operated by the Historical Society since.

Both the Genoa and Carson Valley museums are state-designated historic buildings. The collections are used by government agencies, genealogists, researchers, students and the media to conduct research.

Susie Vasquez can be reached at svasquez@recordcourier.com or 782-5121, ext. 211.