MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Lake County’s southern reaches inhabited by Middletown, Cobb and Hidden Valley Lake often seem distinctly separated from Lakeport and other communities located on the shores of Clear Lake by an unexplainable “great divide.”

Saturday, Aug. 11, at Gibson Museum as its Fireside Chat speaker Nina Bouska will offer conjectures about this perceived dichotomy derived from a dozen years of delving into the history of Lake County.

“There are a number of probable reasons,” Bouska said. “The geophysical problems of transportation are certainly high among them. But the patterns of development and growth play strong roles.”

The first wagon trails into the county came into south Lake County, yet it was the last to be settled.

As a volunteer for the Stone House Historical Society, Bouska volunteered to research the history of Stone House.

The diminutive house, built in 1853-54, is now State Historical Monument #450, acknowledged as the oldest existing building in Lake County.

After a few weeks of reading about the area’s first settlers, “I was obsessing in the middle of the night with finding more about settlement of the area, every who and how and why,” she said.

Nina was among the founders of Gibson Museum & Cultural Center, opened in Middletown in May 2014 which is now a Lake County Museum along with the Historic Courthouse Museum in Lakeport and the Historic Schoolhouse Museum in Lower Lake.

Gibson Museum’s exhibits focus on Lake County’s archeological and geological characteristics as well as more immediately local features: quicksilver mining enterprises, the numerous mineral springs resorts in the area, and individuals significant to the area’s growth and development including Lillie Langtry.

Fireside Chats begin at 3 p.m. the second Saturday of each month and are free of charge, although donations to support Gibson Museum are welcomed.

Questions are welcomed after the speaker’s initial presentation.

Visitors are encouraged to arrive early to view the exhibits, enjoy refreshments and chat with friends.

Gibson Museum is located at 21267 Calistoga Road (Highway 29), across the street from Middletown Square.

For further information, phone 707-809-8009 Thursday, Friday or Saturday afternoon or write to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..