History
The Nevada State Museum & Historical Society opened to the public in November 1982. At the time of its completion, the building in Lorenzi Park was the largest structure of its kind in Nevada built expressly as a museum. The Museum in Lorenzi Park had three major galleries: Biological Sciences, Geological Sciences and History/Prehistory. The museum also included a changing exhibit gallery, various corridor exhibitions, a research library, and collection storage. In 2005, the Nevada voters approved an appropriation that included the construction of a new museum facility located on the Springs Preserve campus. During the 2007 legislative session, the museum's name was officially changed to Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas. The construction of the new building was completed in the spring of 2009. Two years later, the 2011 legislature voted to approve the opening of the new museum. The new building opened to the public October 2011.
Specialties
The Nevada State Museum offers an interactive visitor experience that interprets the history of Nevada dating back millions of years to the present. Across a 13,000 square-foot permanent exhibit gallery visitors will find how geology shaped the Great Basin and Nevada, learn of the early flora and fauna that roamed this once great sea. Hear the story of Native Americans, pioneers, early settlers, miners, railroaders, ranchers and entrepreneurs. Learn about the Hoover Dam, the atomic era and the rise of Las Vegas as the resort capital of the world. The museum also features a research library and an award winning gift store.