Weekend celebration in Dayton is good way to catch some history

During Dayton Valley Days, this weekend our new docents will be on hand to guide folks through the Dayton Museum. They are anxious to show off their knowledge of local history that started in 1849 with discovery of Nevada's first gold deposit. We are proud of our collection of artifacts and want to share with visitors from this area and faraway places.

We have a map of the U.S. that visitors from other states can stick with a pin to denote where they came from. We just started this project and already have many different states represented. It makes us happy to share our history.

We will offer four lectures during Dayton Valley Days at the Museum, featuring the emigrant trail, Pony Express, Lincoln Highway and Carson and Colorado Railroad. Each lecture is about 30 minutes beginning at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday and will begin every 45 minutes thereafter. A door prize will be given with each lecture.

There is so much information to talk about, we can't possibly cover more than those four subjects. There will also be someone who can explain more about the American Indian artifacts on display.

Please, don't forget that at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 22 Dayton's own Misfits Troupe is performing live at the Odeon Hall, now called Chuck's Old West Grill.

Proceeds from this performance are being donated to the Historical Society of Dayton Valley for the restoration of the Carson and Colorado Railroad Station. The old-fashioned melodrama is called "Asparagus Blight and the Single Girl."

We need all the financial help we can get to restore the 1881 Depot, making it a visitors' and information center and the Gateway to Old Town Dayton and the rest of the Comstock.

The Historical Society is doing more and more to teach Dayton's rich history along with that of Northern Nevada as well.

In August, we had Mike Williams, a Northern Paiute man, lecture and demonstrate the ancient art of making tule ducks like those found in the Lovelock Caves. The audience was enthralled with his skill and learned much about ancient American Indian arts.

If you have a skill you would like to demonstrate, call me at 246-5543.

The Dayton Museum is located on Shady Lane and Logan in Old Town Dayton, and is open 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays and 1-4 p.m. Sundays. Check the Web site: daytonnvhistory.org. Group tours are available. Call 246-5543, 246-0462 or 246-0441.

The Historical Society of Dayton Valley meets at noon on the third Wednesday of the month at the Dayton Valley Community Center. Visitors welcome.

• Ruby McFarland has lived in Dayton since October 1987, she serves as a board member of the Dayton historical society and a docent at the museum.