KELSEYVILLE>> Holiday greetings! 2024 began with a continuation of our monthly Fiddler’s Jams. A wonderful donation was offered by Carol Biggs of her collection of 16 restored carriages to the Historical Society. She felt it would be the best place to keep the collection together and available for the public to enjoy.
In April, Ely Stage Stop celebrated the completed restoration of the Kelseyville Jail. The ribbon cutting and the unveiling of the restored 1896 Kelseyville jail, also used by the City of Lakeport, is a tribute to Lake County First Responders, past, present & future.
May was an eventful month! We held the Blacksmith Shop grand opening and held the Historical Society’s Annual Picnic. The Literacy Group met at Ely, we celebrated at Bill Lane’s birthday party, and there were weddings at Ely.
In June, we enjoyed the Docent Potluck at the ‘Parker Palace’ and in September, the Ely Stage Stop brought it’s unique flavor to the annual Kelseyville Pear Festival’s parade.
October brought the Certified Tourism Ambassador program for training and a tour of Ely, as well as the Fiddler’s Potluck at ‘Parker Palace’. This month, Santa visited Ely Stage Stop with a sack full of candy canes, and the Fiddlers treated everyone to holiday songs.
You can now purchase tickets for Ely Stage Stop’s popcorn lecture series
Our new History Lectures are every other month, starting in January. Talks will begin at 2 PM in the Red Barn.
January – Mineral Springs of Lake and Mendocino Counties, presented by author and historian Katy Tahja.
March – The Saga of Captain Floyd: How a Confederate Naval Hero Changed Lake County and Beyond, presented by Historian Phil Smoley
May – History of the Ely Stage Stop, presented by Dr. John Parker
July – The Murder of Officer Hellbush, presented by Historian Phil Smoley
September – A Walk Through Time: Emmy award winning documentary, with commentary by Dr. John Parker
November – The Gopcevik Decree: The Man Behind the Document. Presented by Historian Phil Smoley
These historically-focused presentations are free to Historical Society Members, and are $10 per lecture for non-members. A year pass for all talks can be obtained for $40. You can purchase lectures tickets at the door, or in advance at any Fiddler’s Jam, or during Museum hours.
The Ely Stage Stop and Country Museum is located at 9921 Soda Bay Rd (Hwy 281), Kelseyville. Open 11 am to 3 pm Saturdays & Sundays. Fore more info visit www.lakecountyhistory.org.
