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.
On July 23 the docents and volunteers of the Ely Stage Stop & Country Museum will welcome Ray Benevedes, retired Lake County Sheriff. Benevedes served two 4-year terms from 1983 to 1991. His early truck driving career found him on the road to Lake County in 1955. Stories of his path to becoming the Lake County Sheriff will be shared. History and celebrities of the time will be remembered. He will contrast practices in place during his terms with those in place in today’s “high-tech” world. His presentation will begin at noon.
Admission is free with donations accepted.
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.
Ray Benevedes, retired Lake County Sheriff, will meet with visitors at the Ely Stage Stop & Country Museum on Saturday, July 23, for the Ely Living History Day. His presentation will begin at noon. Contributed photo.