The Carson Museum, in Gardnerville, was the location of last night's event discussing toys!  Until seeing this presentation, by Mark Jensen, curator of the Dangberg Ranch (1857), I would have never thought of toys as tools to history lessons.

Mark spoke of the children of the Dangberg family and how they played. Three generations of children grew up at the Dangberg Home Ranch, and the park's collection of artifacts includes many of their playthings, with items from 1860 through the 1940s. This incredibly interesting  presentation discussed some of these toys and games, the childhoods of the individuals who used them, the background history of the artifacts, and how they illustrate changes in the cultural perspectives on children and play.

This simple spin the spinner and move game was printed in 1889.  Players begin their adventure at sea as the lowly CABIN BOY and by successfully moving around the board eventually get promoted through the ranks. In order to win the game the player must become Commodore and can then return to his aged parents, who are so proud of him.

This 1915 game was produced by Animate Toy Co. to put multiple games together around a bug theme. Contents included mechanical bugs and rules for five different bug games.  Mark explained that learning was a big part of play at this time in history.  There was much shared about the cultural times the Dangberg children grew up in, expressed by the types of games they played.

Dangbergs were one of the most influential families in Carson Valley history and their habit of tucking things away in the Ranch's attic has allowed us a glimpse into their very interesting and privileged world.  Play was important to the generations of parents who lived here.  How lucky for us to be able to be child-like, if only for an evening.