Students tour Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center

Brenda Hansen, who makes sure that Carson Valley Museum & Cultural Center tours run smoothly, was specific when she relayed to docent Carmen Stoltz that the kindergarteners under the instruction of teachers Lynn Keasling and Colleen Kings have spent their first year at Gardnerville Elementary with a curriculum introducing them to the Washoe Tribe and their many contributions.

The 40 young people were divided into two groups - one touring  exhibits downstairs from Main Street, the Doctors’ and Telephone Exhibit to the Agricultural Room and the Outdoor Agriculture section and then flipping to the upstairs displays which include the Basque Camp site, a delightful view of the a Big Horn Sheep in the hallway, the Living Room and Kitchen olden day replicas, and the large wall painting of the “Trail to the Promised Land” and the Emigrant Trail with important settlements noted along its way.

An impressive kindergarten discussion was held between teacher, docent and children, when the Washoe Room was introduced. They talked about the numerous exhibits – while observing the intricate displays of growing up as Washoe meaning “the people from here.” The students discussed the importance of collecting acorns and pinenuts and grinding them into flour on a large, flat stone. Dat-So-La-Lee and her basketry and vine weaving conversation was followed by information on cradleboards, Da ow aga – Lake Tahoe – the Ong myth.

The kindergarteners noted that food was collected through hunting and gathering while zigzagging up and down the mountains from Lake Tahoe to the Valley.

When the students departed, the teachers were presented with coloring booklets for each student “The Washoe: A Great Native American Tribe” to reinforce their field trip.