ELKO, Nev. - Learn how to snowshoe and create your own pioneer toy at the California Trail Interpretive Center.
The Trail Center is presenting a variety of family friendly programs throughout January. The following programs are free and open to everyone:
January 5, 2:00 p.m.: Junior Ranger Program: Pioneer Rag Dolls
Children's toys have changed a lot over the years. Rag dolls were a favorite of young pioneer children because they were easy to create using fabric scraps and materials they already had on hand. Come and learn how to make your own pioneer rag doll.
Jan. 11, 5:00 p.m.: Snowshoe Hike
The first community snowshoe hike of the season will be hosted by the Trail Center. This evening event is family friendly and open to everyone. Meet at 5:00 p.m. to strap on your snowshoes and head out on two trials behind the center. After the hike, join us for some treats and hot chocolate. If there is not enough snow, this will be a winter hike event. The BLM Elko District office does have a limited number of snowshoes you can reserve by calling 775-753-0200.
Jan. 19, 2:00 p.m.: Junior Ranger Program: How to Make Pioneer Butter
Making pioneer butter required much preparation and hard work. Join Volunteer Dinna Frost and learn how to make butter like the pioneers.
Jan. 31, 1:00 p.m.: Smoke Art Demonstration with Lynne Kistler
Artist Lynne Kistler will demonstrate how to make smoke art using smoke, watercolor and multimedia. Kistler has many of her smoke art pieces featured in the Nevada Wild 2020 art installation that is currently on display at the California Trail Interpretive Center.
January 31 3:00 p.m.: Rephotographing the West with Gary Reese
Photographer Gary Reese has re-photographed 52 of Timothy O’Sullivan’s 270 photographic views, taken between 1867 and 1871, in Nevada and adjacent areas of Arizona and California. By rephotographing the views of this famous western expeditionary photographer, Reese updates O’Sullivan’s narrative on what was significant in Nevada immediately following statehood. Reese will discuss how he found and photographed the rugged locations first captured by O’Sullivan 150 years ago. Reese has several photographs featured in the Nevada Wild 2020 art installation that is currently on display at the California Trail Interpretive Center.
The California Trail Interpretive Center is located eight miles west of Elko on I-80, Hunter exit 292. The Center is open Thursday through Monday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Admission is free.
Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management
