New artifacts received at Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park; tours continue through December
Posted by Bob Conrad on Oct 5, 2010 in News, State Parks | Comments Off
MINDEN, Nev. – A significant collection of historic artifacts, documents and photographs has been donated to the Dangberg Home Ranch Historic Park by Dangberg family member C. Stephen Achard Jr.
The items help tell the story of the Dangberg family and the history of Carson Valley’s schools, businesses, events and families. Also new to the collection are several items recently found in a hidden dresser drawer just discovered at the park. Selections from both these acquisitions are now on display as part of guided tours of the Dangberg family home.
“Mr. Achard’s donation of family heirlooms and personal memorabilia makes an important contribution to fulfilling the park’s mission,” said Park Interpreter Mark Jensen. “The hundreds items from the 19th and 20th centuries will help the park present the history of Carson Valley and Nevada ranching. There are some real treasures and we thank Mr. Achard for his generosity.”
Several items were recently discovered in a “hidden” drawer located at the bottom of a 19th century dressing table, including prints of skiing photographs shot and signed by Antoinette “Toni” Hiller, a noted sports and fashion photographer in the 1950s, and an herbarium of pressed flowers from the late 19th century.
Tours of the park continue Wednesday through Sunday at 10:00 am and Saturday and Sunday at 2:00 pm. Tours run through December 12.
Tours are not offered during special events and reservations are required. The Achard donation includes hundreds of items dating from the 1860s through the 1980s. These include the 1866 christening dress worn by H. Fred Dangberg Jr., and his children, and a rare photograph of the 1896 Nevada State University graduating class that included Gertrude Dangberg.
Other items given to the park are the 4-H “calf box” and related tools used by Achard in the 1940s during 4-H youth cattle-raising programs, 1940s memorabilia from Douglas County schools, 1940s-1960s clothing worn by Ruth Dangberg Achard and documents and photographs as old as the 1880s.
The park is located at 1450 Highway 88, one-half mile south of the Carson Valley Swim Center. A map and further information can be found at parks.nv.gov/hr.htm or by calling 775-783-9417.
The tours are open to the public, and the cost is $3.00 for adults, and free for children 12 and younger. The park accepts cash and checks only.
Contact Mark Jensen at 775-783-9417 or dangbergranch@parks.nv.gov.
