Housecleaning complete for Women in History exhibit

There's only one full week of September left, but we at Douglas County Historical Society have some things to fill it.

First, those amazing gals on the exhibit committee have been at it again, redoing the Women in History room. They have separated the parlor from the kitchen with a wall, much as it would have been in an actual home. And they removed the barriers so visitors can walk into the rooms and really look around.

Of interest in the exhibit are old-fashioned washing machines. Ladies, rejoice that we don't have to use these antiques. Also note the view out the window in the kitchen. This Victorian home looks out on the fields in our own Carson Valley.

People in Victorian times didn't have TV, radio, MP3 players or iPods so they had to create their own entertainment, so most everyone played a musical instrument. The "square" piano in the exhibit dates back to 1865. The first phonograph was invented by Edison in 1877, but the first records weren't produced until the 1890s.

The final summer swap meet is Sept. 27. This is your last chance to clear out the garage or to show off and sell your crafts before the holidays. Stop by our swap meet on your way to the Candy Dance. Speaking of which, the Genoa Court House Museum will be open both days of the Candy Dance and will be selling many treasures of their own on their front lawn. This will be one of your last chances to tour the museum as it will close for the season the second weekend in October.

Also on Sept. 30 we will close the September photo contest. Remember, you need to enter if you want these contests to continue throughout the year for a 2010 DCHS calendar. If you own a camera, try your hand at taking a September photo and entering it into our contest. Who knows? You just might win.

Some time ago I mentioned the cataloging project in the Van Sickle Library. Though the project will never be completely done as new items are always being added, the library is open for use during normal museum hours. While you are there, you can also access Ancestry.com free of charge to research your own family history. What we offer you for free could cost up to $25 per month on your own.

While at the museum, go to the Main Street Bookstore and pick up a 2009 entertainment book on sale for $25 per copy. The books offer discounts on various entertainments from restaurants to movie theaters to even grocery stores. Get yours soon.

If you have any questions about anything mentioned here, please call the Douglas County Historical Society at the Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center in Gardnerville at 782-2555.

Visit our Web site at www.historicnevada.org. Remember, DCHS and its two museums in Gardnerville and Genoa do not receive any regular state or county funding. It's up to our members and friends to help us keep our doors open.

n Contact Ellen Caywood at in2my2cats@yahoo.com or at 790-1565.