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Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas facts for kids

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Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas
Former name Nevada State Museum and Historical Society
Established 1982
Location 309 S. Valley View Blvd. (on the campus of the Springs Preserve) Las Vegas, Nevada 89107
Type General or Multi disciplinary (several subjects)
Accreditation The American Alliance of Museums
Key holdings Ichthyosaur replica (Nevada’s state fossil) and a 13-foot articulated mammoth skeleton
Owner Nevada Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs
Public transit access RTC Bus #104 (Valley View/Torrey Pines), Meadows Mall stop; RTC Bus #207 (Alta/Stewart), Valley View @ Meadows stop
Nearest car park Parking is free at the museum

The Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas is a cool place to learn about Las Vegas and the natural world around it. It's located on the campus of the Springs Preserve in Las Vegas, Nevada. This museum is one of seven state museums run by Nevada.

The museum's name changed in 2008. Before that, it was called the Nevada State Museum and Historical Society. It moved to the Springs Preserve campus from Lorenzi Park, Las Vegas at that time. The museum shows off items from Las Vegas's past and the area's natural history. You can visit the museum Thursday through Monday, from 9 AM to 4 PM. It is closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas.

About the Museum

The Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas, is a special place. It is recognized by the American Alliance of Museums. This means it meets high standards for how it cares for its collections and teaches visitors.

Where It Started

The museum first opened in 1982. Its first home was in Lorenzi Park in Las Vegas. Later, it moved to a brand-new building.

Its Current Home

The museum's new building opened in October 2011. It is located on the campus of the Springs Preserve. The building itself was finished in 2009. However, it stayed empty for two years. This was because of money problems in the state budget. The new building has a huge space for exhibits. It has 11,000 square feet just for permanent displays.

This new space lets the museum show off many things. You can see exhibits about the region's history and its natural past. One amazing display is a 13-foot-tall skeleton of a mammoth. There is also a detailed look at the history of Las Vegas. Kids aged 17 and younger can visit the museum for free.

What You Can See

The museum has many interesting exhibits. These exhibits help you learn about Nevada's past and its amazing natural world.

Special Exhibits

In 2021, the Nevada State Museum had a special program. It featured the famous Folies Bergere show. This show was once at The Tropicana Hotel Las Vegas. The Tropicana Hotel gave many of the Folies Bergere costumes to the museum. These costumes are now part of the museum's collection.

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