On the fourth Saturday of each month local historians come to the Ely Stage Stop to visit with guests and answer questions regarding different aspects of Lake County history.  As these visits are recorded, the stories of Lake County’s history are being preserved for future generations.

The docents and volunteers of the Ely Stage Stop & Country Museum are excited to welcome back Gene Paleno, author and illustrator living in Witter Springs. Paleno will be available to museum visitors on May 28 from noon till 2 p.m. Paleno’s visit that day will focus on the Bloody Island Massacre of 1850.  According to Paleno, his recently published Lake County History : A Mystical Adventure in Time includes the whole story as shared nowhere else. Copies of the book will be available for purchase and Paleno will be happy to sign them for interested visitors.

The Lake County Historical Society’s Ely Stage Stop & Country Museum is located at 9921 State Hwy 281 (Soda Bay Road) in Kelseyville, near Clearlake Riviera, just north of Hwy 29-Kit’s Corner.  Current hours of operation are 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday.  Living History events are held on the fourth Saturday of each month from noon until 2 p.m. Fiddlers’ Jams occur the first Sunday of every month, again, from noon until 2 p.m. Private tours can be arranged by appointment.

The Ely Stage Stop & Country Museum welcomes more docents to greet visitors and share information on our history, our current displays, and our planned events.  Volunteers for maintenance and construction projects are also needed. Come join the Lake County Historical Society and become a volunteer at Ely or our sister museum, the Gibson Museum & Cultural Center in Middletown.  Applications will be available during the day.

Visit www.elystagestop.org or www.lakecountyhistory.org, check out the stage stop on Facebook at www.facebook.com/elystagestop, or call the museum at 707-533-9990.

Gene Paleno welcomed to Ely Stage Stop for January’s Living History Day. Ely welcomes him back for May’s event and a book signing. Contributed photo.

The Ely Stage Stop & Country Museum historic building, considered to be one of the oldest “stick built” buildings in Lake County, was moved from its prior location on Highway 29 in 2007. After the move, Lake County’s Public Service Department took on the task of installing the building on the site, bringing in utilities, restoring the inside and constructing the entrance, driveway, and parking area. Since then much progress has been made in transforming the property into the vision under which the original project was conceived. It is time to recap the progress made and show special appreciation to those individuals or businesses whose contributions have helped us grow into one of the most important educational and historical centers in Lake County.

Much research, creativity and effort was required to restore the main house into the showcase it has become today, from wallpaper selections to construction of the beautiful wrap-around porch. What resulted is a beautiful museum with ever-changing displays for the public to enjoy. The house has been used for a variety of fund-raising events such as a Farm-to-Table Dinner in 2012, the annual June Picnic on the Porch in 2013 and 2014 (with a repeat planned for this year) and a Whiskey In America tasting in 2014.

The annual Art and Science Camp, sponsored by the Children’s Museum of Art and Science, has been co-hosted by the Stage Stop and the Taylor Observatory in Kelseyville for the last three years. The living history presentations by Stage Stop docents are always a hit with the fourth through sixth grade students. The Camp returns for a fourth year in May.

Excitement really grew as the first barn construction got under way. The completed structure affords a refuge for our stage coach, various wagons, and other equipment needing protection from the elements. Gracing the barn is our Carpenter’s Star quilt block, donated anonymously through the Lake County Quilt Trail Project. The block was temporarily mounted on the wrap-around-porch, but it now has a permanent home on the barn. The carpenter theme highlights the many hours of manual labor volunteers have donated to make this first barn possible.

The barn has also become a popular event venue. The Stage Stop partners with the Northern California Old Time Fiddlers Association on the first Sunday of each month for Fiddlers’ Jam Sessions. Lake County has a bounty of talented musicians and the barn has proven to be the perfect venue to celebrate these local musicians and the American music heritage from the Ely Stage Stop Victorian Era. Our community has passionately embraced this cultural opportunity.

On the fourth Saturday of each month local historians come to the main house from noon to 2 p.m. to visit with guests and answer questions regarding different aspects of Lake County history. As these visits are recorded, the stories of Lake County’s history are being preserved.

Sturdy picnic tables afford picnicking on the grounds in fair weather. An historic1890‘s cable car and “Wiley” signal light reside at the Ely Stage Stop & Country Museum for the public’s enjoyment. When you drive by 9921 State Hwy 281 (better known as Soda Bay Road) you will know exactly where to find the Ely Stage Stop & Country Museum. The long awaited signage was erected in May of 2014. Bearing the striking Ely logo, the sign greets visitors and lures passers-by regardless of which direction they are traveling.

The current project being undertaken is the all-volunteer building of a working blacksmith shop which will serve as another interpretive and living history exhibit. Phase one of that complex is shaping up now next to the first barn.

All of this progress could not have been made without the support of so many local people and businesses through donations of money, materials, time or hard work. The Lake County Historical Society wishes to extend special appreciation to the following:

Jim Adams, Eric Andre, Jim Bengard, Rob Brown, Kelly Cox, Randy Craig and Erica Lundquist,
Steve Devoto, John Everett, Charlotte Griswold, Carson Holdenried, Marilyn and Myron Holdenried, Gene Kirkendall, Richard Kuehn, Barbra and William Lane, Pat and Ven Marshall, Tony Oliviera, Elizabeth Paddock, Jerry Raub, Alex Reid, the Seeley Family, Josephine and Gerry Shaul, Jr., Wilda Shock, Sam Slayden, Eric Stephensen, Sid Stokes, Justine Stottsberry, Beverly and Dave Thomas, Sharron and Brock Zoller

Braito’s Marina, Clear Lake Lava Rock, Clear Lake Redi-Mix, Clear Lake Trowel & Trellis, County of Lake, Foods, Etc., Kelly Moore Paints in Marin, Kelseyville Lumber, Kelseyville Scrap Metal, Konocti Conservation Camp CC#27, Lake County Chamber of Commerce, Lake County News, Lake County Quilt Trail Project, Lake County Record-Bee, Mt. Konocti Growers, Plaza Paints, RAH Outdoor Signs, Ray’s Food Place, Red & White Store, Rent-a-Center, Riviera Foods, Safeway in Clearlake, T & T Storage, Tri County Scrap Metals LLC, UCC Rental

Thanks also to the many anonymous and other unnamed donors who have contributed to this ongoing project to preserve Lake County history. We could not have accomplished so much without all of you.

The Ely Stage Stop and Country Museum, operated by the Lake County Historical Society, will be closed Sunday, November 16, so that docents and potential visitors can attend the LCHS Thanksgiving dinner meeting that day.  A traditional “turkey and all the trimmings” dinner will be enjoyed by attendees. Bernie Butcher of the Tallman Hotel and Blue Wing Saloon in Upper Lake will present a program on the history of Upper Lake. The second beautiful Ely picnic table will be raffled off so that will be the last chance to buy tickets.  Chris Skarada, last year’s winner, may be there to pull the winning ticket this year.

The meeting starts at 1:30 p.m. at the Live Oak Senior Center, located at 12502 Foothill Blvd. near the Oaks Plaza Park. Dinner tickets are $15 each for LCHS members and $18 each for non-members. For more information about the dinner contact Bonnie Skee at 707-262-1432 or Jackie Ridgel at 707-279-4062.

The Ely Stage Stop and Country Museum will be open as usual on Saturday, November 15, and then resume it’s Saturday/Sunday schedule the following weekend. The museum is located at 9921 Soda Bay Road (Hwy 281) in Kelseyville (near Clearlake Riviera). Normal hours of operation are 11:00 AM to 03:00 PM each Saturday and Sunday. Fiddlers’ Jams occur the first Sunday of every month. Contact number for questions about volunteer work, donations of old wood for barn construction, or docent applications is (707)533-9990.

Visit www.elystagestop.com or www.lakecountyhistory.org or check out the stage stop on Facebook at www.facebook.com/elystagestop.

Attendees of the April 12th Ely Stage Stop and Country Museum’s latest fundraiser, Whisky in America, had a spirited good time. Tartan kilt clad docent Rob Sansom poured seven distinct whiskies provided by Stephen Beal, Keeper of the Quaich, Senior Master of Whisky for DIAGEO, the world’s largest producer of whisky. Distilleries represented were George Dickel, Bulleit Bourbon and Rye, Johnnie Walker, Bushmills Irish and Barterhouse. Rosey Martin of Rosey Cooks, local Caterer and Kitchen Magician, presented savory small bites that accompanied the whisky selections perfectly. Included in her selections were a Cheese Sampler, Grown up Mac and Cheese, Chicken-Waffle Sliders, Guinness Beef Stew and Irish Coffee Pot de Creme.

As guests savored the whiskies and food pairings, Beal spoke of the history of whisky in America, describing the broad spectrum of aromas, textures and tastes. He described the various grains, distillation pots, and oak casks used in the production of whisky. Participants learned how bottle shapes and labels evolved in functionality. The Keepers of the Quaich is an exclusive, international community of members recognized for their outstanding commitment to Scotch Whisky. The mission of the Keepers of the Quaich is to promote the values and image of Scotch Whisky as the world’s finest and most prestigious distilled spirit. Beal certainly did that for Ely’s guests that evening.

The Ely Stage Stop was a perfect venue to highlight whiskies popular during the Victorian and Stage Coach eras. As a fundraiser, the event was a huge success. The event sold out and then some, with twenty eight folks in attendance. Funds raised will be used to help support the construction of a new working blacksmith shop on the property.

Seating for Ely Stage Stop events is always limited so remember to get a ticket early when the next event is announced. It would be a shame to miss it!

The museum is located at 9921 Soda Bay Road (Hwy 281) in Kelseyville (near Clearlake Riviera). Normal hours of operation are 11:00 AM to 03:00 PM each Saturday and Sunday. Contact number for questions about volunteer work, donations of old wood for barn construction, or docent applications is (707)533-9990.

Visit www.elystagestop.com or www.lakecountyhistory.org or check out the stage stop on Facebook at www.facebook.com/elystagestop.

Join us on Saturday, April 12th for a whiskey tasting with Steve Beal, Keeper of the Quaich, Senior Master of Whisky for DIAGEO, the world’s larger producer of whisky, including Bulleit Bourbon & Rye, George Dickel Tennessee Whiskeys, Johnnie Walker Scotch and many more.

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Start the New Year fiddling around at the Ely Stage Stop!  The Old Time Fiddlers Association continues its monthly First Sundays Fiddlers Jam sessions hosted by the Ely Stage Stop and Country Museum on Sunday, January 5th. Fiddlers will meet in the Ely barn to perform their wonderful Americana music.

This is a free, family friendly event for all to enjoy, so bring young and old alike.  Enjoy the music with hot beverages and tasty treats.  Bring your own wine and sip it in Ely Stage Stop wine glasses that will be available for purchase. Clap your hands, tap your toes or get up and dance!

The fun begins at the museum at 11:00 a.m. with the Fiddlers playing from 1 p.m. through 3 p.m. Donations will be happily accepted to benefit the Ely Stage Stop and The Old Time Fiddlers Association. Note that rain will cancel the event during the winter months.

The stage stop is located at 9921 Soda Bay Road (Hwy 281) in Kelseyville (near Clearlake Riviera, just north of Hwy 29-Kit’s Corner). Current hours of operation are 11:00 a.m. to 03:00 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday. Visit www.elystagestop.com or www.lakecountyhistory.org, check out the stage stop on Facebook at www.facebook.com/elystagestop, or call the museum at 707-533-9990.

Start the holidays with sounds of joy! The Old Time Fiddlers Association continues their monthly First Sundays Fiddlers Jam sessions at the Ely Stage Stop and Country Museum. On Sunday, December 1st they’ll be performing beautiful Americana music with a sprinkling of holiday cheer to get you in the spirit!

This is a free, family friendly event for all to enjoy, young and old alike. Join us for hot beverages, tasty treats and toe tapping music! We’ll even make room for those who wish to get up and dance! Bring your own wine and sip it in Ely Stage Stop wine glasses that will be available for purchase.

The jam will be a great way to wrap up your Thanksgiving weekend, so come on out!
The fun begins at the museum at 11:00 a.m. with the Fiddlers playing from 1 p.m. through 3 p.m. Donations will be happily accepted to benefit the Ely Stage Stop and The Old Time Fiddlers Association.

The stage stop is located at 9921 Soda Bay Road (Hwy 281) in Kelseyville (near Clearlake Riviera, just north of Hwy 29-Kit’s Corner). Current hours of operation are 11:00 a.m. to 03:00 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday. Visit our websites at elystagestop.com or lakecountyhistory.org or visit us at www.facebook\elystagestop. You can also call the museum at 707-533-9990 during museum hours.

Celebrate our American music heritage by joining the Old Time Fiddlers Association for their first of many jam sessions at the Ely Stage Stop and Country Museum. Starting on November 3, jam sessions will be held on the first Sunday of the month. Enjoy the music of the Fiddlers and view our latest exhibits at the Stage Stop.

November will feature artwork in a variety of designs using the French beaded and beadweaving techniques, popular in the Victorian era, and created by Ellen’s Beaded Designs. Select pieces will be available for purchase with a portion of the proceeds benefitting the museum.

Hot cider and kettle corn will be available. Bring your own wine and sip it in Ely Stage Stop wine glasses that will be available for purchase.

The fun begins at 11:00 a.m. with the Fiddlers playing from 1 p.m. through 3 p.m.
Donations will be happily accepted to benefit the Ely Stage Stop and The Old Time Fiddlers Association.

The stage stop is located at 9921 Soda Bay Road (Hwy 281) in Kelseyville (near Clearlake Riviera, just north of Hwy 29-Kit’s Corner). Current hours of operation are 11:00 a.m. to 03:00 p.m. each Saturday and Sunday. Visit www.elystagestop.com or www.lakecountyhistory.org , check out the stage stop on Facebook at www.facebook.com/elystagestop , or call 707-533-9990 during museum hours.

The double barrel, black powder shotgun pictured here was carried across the plains by Robert Henderson as he traveled to Lake County with a wagon train.  The 1850’s William Moore & Company gun was recently donated to the Ely Stage Stop Museum by Robert’s great-grand daughter, Carolyn Henderson-Rohner (also pictured).

The museum is run by Lake County Historical Society volunteers who are dedicated to caring for these important pieces of Lake County history.  The museum and these pieces of our past are maintained so the public can learn about Lake County’s early days. But the museum needs your help.  Many items are needed by the volunteers to do their job in preserving and interpreting the past. Be a part of preserving Lake County’s past for the enjoyment of and education about Lake County’s future.

Ely Stage Stop Wish List

Miscellaneous: Small old fashioned side tables for porch | Old wash tubs for ice and cold drinks on the porch (holes in them is OK) | Antique dining table

Office Supplies: Copy paper | Banker’s boxes | Bookshelf | Vertical storage

Gardening tools & equipment: Rakes | Shovels | Hoes | Trowels | Push brooms | Gas-powered weed eater | Hoses & nozzles | Garden gloves and leather work gloves | Tractor, a resident tractor to live at Ely permanently | Mower for the tractor, to live at Ely permanently | Wheelbarrows | Industrial fans for the barn

Shop Tools: Acetylene/oxygen torch set (with tanks) | Work bench | Vise | Tool box | Hand tools | Step ladder – 6 ft. | Extension cord – 100 ft. 12/3 | Propane bottle – 5 gal | Tape measures – 25 ft., 50 ft.

Wood: Old wood is needed for siding on the barns that will be constructed at Ely. If someone donates a barn or out building, Ely volunteers can help take it down in exchange for the wood.

If you have any of these items that need a new home please contact the museum at 707-533-9990 or send an email to elystagestop@gmail.com. Remember that donations to the Ely Stage Stop are tax deductible. Stop by the museum at 9921 Soda Bay Road (Hwy 281) in Kelseyville (near Clearlake Riviera, just north of Hwy 29-Kit’s Corner). Current hours of operation are 11:00 AM to 03:00 PM each Saturday and Sunday. Visit our websites at elystagestop.com or lakecountyhistory.org or visit us  at www.facebook.com\elystagestop.

Docents at the Ely Stage Stop and Country Museum have created beautiful new visitor displays for summer’s end. Pam Hendricks, museum docent and member of Konocti Quilters, has loaned a selection of mini quilts, wall hangings, and lap size quilts from her collection. Vintage American pottery from docent Bonnie Skee’s collection is also on display featuring McCoy, Hull, Roseville, and Weller pieces manufactured in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s.

Take the opportunity to view both displays through October in the main house in the Lake County Historical Society’s and the County of Lake’s newest museum. View the Carpenter’s Star quilt block that has recently been moved from its porch location to the new red barn on the property.

The museum address is 9921 Soda Bay Road (Hwy 281) in Kelseyville (near Clearlake Riviera). Current hours of operation are 11:00 AM to 03:00 PM each Saturday and Sunday. Visit our websites at elystagestop.com or lakecountyhistory.org or visit us at www.facebook\elystagestop.