MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – A display of the history of the Middletown area’s oldest family, the Simons, will be held over until late March.

Gibson Museum is regularly open to the public, free of charge, every Thursday, Friday and Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. Gibson also joins Middletown's First Friday events and is opened for extended hours the first Friday of every month until 6 p.m.

Contemporary Simons are believed to be descendants of a tribal village on the Rancho Guenoc, across the trail toward Clear Lake next to the Historic Stone House, now just inside the main gate of Hidden Valley Lake.

Widely recognized members of the Simon family include District 1 Supervisor Jose “Moke” Simon III, who is also tribal chairman of the Middletown Rancheria of Pomo Indians, and his aunt Millie Simon, a member of the board of directors of the Friends of Gibson Museum.

Like most surviving natives, the Simons refer to themselves as Pomo, although the lineage may also include Lake Miwok, Wappo and Wintun cultures.

The Middletown Rancheria was established with five native families about 1910. Six of 18 adult members of the Middletown tribe authorized to vote on distribution of property by the Bureau of Indian Affairs carried the Simon surname; three others reflected the marriage of Doris Simon to Chinese gardener John Yee.

Middletown Rancheria developed the Twin Pine Casino & Hotel in the mid-1990s.

Many locals know of the unbounded contributions made, past and present, by a host of Simon family members, including Moke, to Middletown High School sports – particularly football.

Other displays at Gibson Museum & Cultural Center, on Calistoga Road opposite Community Park, include local archeology and geology as well as glimpses of the history of mineral springs resorts and quicksilver mining

For more information see www.friendsofgibson.com or call 707-809-8009 during the museum’s open hours.