Nevada State Museum, Carson City facts for kids
The Nevada State Museum in Carson City is a cool place to learn about Nevada's past. It's one of seven state museums run by the Nevada Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs. The main building used to be the old Carson City Mint, where coins were made!
This museum shows off Nevada's natural and cultural history. You can explore everything from ancient times to today. This includes the state's amazing geology, prehistoric animals, the exciting days of silver mining, and the rich American Indian culture.
Some of the most exciting things you can see are:
- The biggest Columbian Mammoth ever shown, found in the Black Rock Desert.
- A special silver set from the USS Nevada battleship.
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History of the Museum
The Nevada State Museum in Carson City opened its doors in 1941. It was created to save the historic Carson City Mint building. This mint made coins from 1870 to 1893.
Even today, the museum has a special coin press called Coin Press No. 1. This press still makes medallions with the famous "CC" mark. This mark stands for Carson City.
The museum has many unique items from the history of the American West. These include:
- Baskets made by Great Basin Native American people.
- A collection of slot machines from Charles Fey, who invented them.
- Old West guns.
- Items from Chinatown culture.
- The beautiful silver service set made for the USS Nevada battleship.
Explore the Museum's Exhibits
The Nevada State Museum has many interesting exhibits for you to discover. Each one tells a different part of Nevada's story.
Historic Carson City Mint
This exhibit lets you see where money was made! You can learn about Coin Press No. 1. This press made the famous "CC" marked silver dollars from the Comstock Lode.
Nevada's Changing Earth
This section teaches you about the amazing geology of Nevada. You can learn how the land has changed over millions of years. It shows how mountains formed and how the landscape looks today.
Nevada: A People and Place Through Time
This exhibit takes you on a journey through Nevada's history. It covers everything from early settlers to modern times. A main highlight is the silver service from the USS Nevada Battleship. This set was made from 5,000 ounces of silver and lined with gold from Goldfield.
Under One Sky
This exhibit explores the history of Nevada's first people. It shows artifacts that are over 10,000 years old. This section shares the story of American Indian culture from their own point of view. It helps visitors understand their traditions and way of life.