The new Museum of Sierra Ski History and 1960 Winter Olympics will hold its grand opening Friday, August 30th, as part of Labor Day weekend festivities honoring the 150th anniversary of the founding of Tahoe City.

The museum's opening celebration is part of a 'Stroll Thru Time' event that begins at 2:00 p.m. Friday afternoon at Gatekeeper Museum, continues to the Watson Cabin Living History Museum, and concludes at the ski history museum. Spectators can easily walk the route on sidewalks and recreation trails that follow the shore of Lake Tahoe.

For 'Stroll Through Time' event details, click here.
 
The Grand Opening of the Ski History Museum will begin at 5: 30 p.m. with a dedication ceremony between 6:00 and 6:30 p.m. US Ski Team member Travis Ganong will be on hand as he prepares to compete in the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. He will be joined by 1960 Winter Olympian Osvaldo Ancinas and other past Olympic stars. Complimentary food and beverages donated by the Hacienda del Lago restaurant will be served. Admission is free with donations accepted. The ski history museum is located on the second floor of the Boatworks Mall at 760 North Lake Blvd, Tahoe City.
 
The collection on display includes actual official Olympic items such as skis, racing bibs, official results, promotional literature and participation mementos. Exhibits include rarely seen conceptual drawings prepared by Walt Disney for planning of the VIII Olympic Winter Games.  Selections from the extensive photographic collection of official Olympic photographer Bill Briner are a central feature. Dozens of never-before exhibited banners, souvenirs and spectator memorabilia from the Batiste Family Collection is also on display. Items from the pre-Olympic days of Palisades Tahoe Ski Area are also featured as well as special displays in honor local ski industry pioneers Wayne Poulsen and Alexander Cushing and the perpetual trophies of the venerable Lake Tahoe Ski Club.
 
Visitors will learn the history of skiing in the Sierra and the story of the 1960 Olympic Winter Games. Interpretive posters present excerpts from three recent ski history books, "From Longboards to the Olympics, by Mark McLaughlin", "Snowball’s Chance – The Story of the 1960 Olympic Winter Games", by David C. Antonucci and "Tales from Two Valleys" by Eddy Starr Ancinas.
 
The exhibits are presented by Tahoe Museum LLC, a public benefit organization founded by Sacramento-area physician Stan Batiste, M.D. and Olympic historian David C. Antonucci. The Auburn Ski Club, Palisades Tahoe Ski Museum Foundation and private Olympic memorabilia collections from Olympic officials Wendall Broomhall, Martin Hollay, Dave Newton have contributed rare artifacts and photos to the displays. Channel Properties, owner of the Boatworks Mall, is hosting the museum as a public benefit and at no cost to the exhibitors.

For more information about the organization and the museum, visit www.tahoemuseum.org.