Nevada History Museums

Collection of artifacts, old newspapers, documents and over 40,000 photos related to Churchill County history.  Exhibits include the Woodliff Novelty Store which has been preserved for over 95 years.

Atomic Testing Museum

Focus is on the origin of the Nevada Test Site and provides information and exhibits depicting and detailing the events  at the test site in Mercury, Nevada.  Located at 755 E. Flamingo Road in Las Vegas, NV.

Clark County Heritage Museum

The museum is actually a complex of historic buildings devoted to the heritage of Clark County, Nevada.  Historic sites include the 1932 Boulder City Depot, Heritage Street, a resurrected ghost town and many others.  Begin your visit at 1830 S. Boulder Highway in Henderson, NV.

Hoover Dam   [History]  [Photos]

When the dam was complete in 1935, it was the tallest dam in the world.  Today, visitors can tour the dam, see the inner workings and be sure to stop by the visitor center.  Located on Highway 93 at the Nevada / Arizona border.

Las Vegas Natural History Museum

Devoted to educating the public about the natural sciences both past and present.  Exhibits include prehistoric life, wildlife, African galleries, a wild Nevada gallery and much more.  Located at 900 North Las Vegas Blvd in Las Vegas, NV.

Lost City Museum   [History and Photos]

Neon Museum

Visitors will find many of the missing neon signs and landmarks which have been vanishing from Fremont Street and other areas of the Las Vegas landscape over the years.  Everything from wedding chapel signs to Aladdin's Lamp can be found in the bone yard of signs.  The museum is in the process of restoring the La Concha Motel lobby to use as a visitor's center.  Located at 821 Las Vegas Blvd. North in Las Vegas, NV.

Nevada State Museum and Historical Society in Las Vegas

Searchlight Heritage Museum

Techatticup Historic Mining Camp

Mine tour in a ghost town of the historic Nelson-Searchlight Mining District / Nelson's Landing.  The mine has been restored and across from the mine is an 1861 building which serves now as a museum where you can learn more about this old mining operation.    The site has been used in 2 movies: Breakdown and 3000 Miles to Graceland, both staring Kurt Russell.  This tour is offered by various vendors such as Colorado River Tours (guided), Pink Jeep Tours (guided), Grand Canyon Tour Company (ATV, not guided)

Nevada State Capitol 1875

Library of Congress, American Memory

The Bowers Mansion

Built in 1863, the mansion was home to Lemuel and Eilley Bowers.  Today the home is filled with period furnishings and sits in a lovely park setting.  at 4005 US Hwy 395 North in Carson City, NV.

Carson Valley Museum and Cultural Center

Focused on the history of Native Americans and early pioneers of the Carson Valley area, the museum features exhibits of artifacts and art work of the Washo people who roamed this land in early times.  Other exhibits include a country doctors waiting room, a Basque exhibit and an 1950-1970 animals hunted  exhibit.  Located at 1477 US Hwy 395 N in Gardnerville, NV.

Gatekeeper's Museum

Genoa Courthouse Museum   [Genoa Historic Sites]

Built in 1856 when Genoa was the county seat of Douglas County, it served as a school from 1916 to 1956.  Utilized as a museum for almost 40 years now, the museum features the history of Genoa, the first permanent town in Nevada. Located at 2304 Main Street in Genoa, NV.

Kit Carson Trail Talking Houses

These historic homes have their own stories to tell and visitors can tune them in on AM Radio!  This is one of the most unusual and interesting ways to view historic homes I have seen.  Some of the houses included in this tour are: the Krebs-Peterson House, located at 500 North Mountain Street.  This is where John Wayne filmed his last movie "The Shootist"; The Rinckel Mansion; The G. W. G. Ferris House and several others.

Mormon Station State Park Museum

Nevada State Capitol Building   [History and Photos]

This impressive looking building was constructed in 1870 and still serves the purpose it was built for with some additions in 1913.  Located in the heart of Carson City, Nevada. 

Nevada State Library and Archives   [Archives]

Nevada State Museum in Carson City   

[History Exhibits and Photos]

Built in 1866, the Nevada State Museum was the U.S. Mint for over 20 years.  Today you will find some of the mint equipment used to make all that money along with a ghost town to visit. among many Nevada history exhibits.

600 North Carson Street, Carson City, NV.

Nevada State Railroad Museum

Exhibits related to the railroad history of Nevada.  Rides are offered at various times of the year.  2180 South Carson Street, Carson City, NV.

Stewart Indian Cultural Center

Watson Cabin Living History Museum

Western Historic Radio Museum

Humboldt Museum   [Winnemucca History]

Housed in the former Episcopal Church, the museum features Native American artifacts, early pioneer relics, an antique auto collection and an old country store.  Located at 175 W. Jungo Rd. in Winnemucca, NV.

Scottys Castle in Death Valley

Beatty Historical Museum

Experience what Beatty, Nevada was like in the early 1900s.  Learn about mining, the Bullfrog Gold Rush, the Great Beatty Mud Mounds, area ghost towns and more.  Located at 417 Main Street in Beatty, NV.

Central Nevada Museum

** Death Valley Free Visitors Guide **

Rhyolite - Ghost Town

A gold rush boom town, Rhyolite was created and ca 1904 and it's demise began in less than 5 years.  Today it is known as a true ghost town.  The town is located 35 miles from the Furnace Creek Visitor Center on the way to Beatty, Nevada.  A paved road will take you from Hwy 374 to the heart of Rhyolite.

Scottys Castle in Death Valley  

[History]  [Virtual Tour]

This beautiful castle like structure is situated in a most unusual oasis like canyon in Death Valley.  Built in the 1920s by Death Valley Scotty (Walter Scott) and Albert Johnson, the castle cost over 2 million dollars.  The house is a living history museum and tours are offered daily.

Tonopah Historic Mining Park

Visitors can get an actual taste of what silver mining was like as they enter the underground tunnel and see into the richest silver mine from the Tonopah District.  The park offers exhibits of antique mining equipment and historical artifacts.  Located at 102 Burro Avenue in Tonopah, NV.

Fourth Ward School Museum   [History & Photo]

Built in 1876, for Virginia City's school children and it was used until 1936.  Today it is a museum devoted to telling the history of Virginia City, the mining district and the Comstock Lode.

Gold Hill Hotel   [History and Photos]

Boasted to be Nevada's oldest hotel, it was erected ca 1860 and was a thriving business during the gold rush days.  Today it is a available for tours and offers visitors a glimpse into the grander times of the Comstock Lode and the history of Gold Hill.  The hotel features 15 rooms furnished with period antiques.  Located one mile south of Virginia City on Highway 342.

Mackay Historic Mansion 

Also known as the Gould and Curry Mining Company Office, this 1860 Italianate style mansion is a private residence at this time.

Marshall Mint and Museum

Virginia City National Historical Land Mark

[Museums and Attractions]

Historic Sites in Reno

National Automobile Museum

Features collections of vintage autos and includes celebrity owned autos such as Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, John Wayne and many more.  Located at 10 South Lake Street in Reno, NV.

Nevada Historical Society Museum   [History and Photos]

The rich history of Nevada is focused on from neon lights to living off the land, the exhibits take you back in time to the early days in Nevada.  The Nevada Historical Society operates a Research and Reading Room here, which contains the most complete repository of Nevada history materials.

1650 N. Virginia Street, Reno, NV.

Sparks Heritage Museum

Devoted to the history and heritage of Sparks, the museum is located at 820 Victorian Avenue in Sparks, NV.

W. M. Keck Earth, Science and Mineral Engineering Museum

East Ely Railroad Depot Museum  

Focused on the history of copper mining and production, the museum is housed inside the historic Nevada Northern Railroad Depot.  There are 23 other historic buildings in this complex and vintage steam train rides are offered.  Within a short distance, visitors to the area will find ghost towns which were once flourishing mining towns in the early 20th century.  Located at 1100 Avenue A in Ely, NV.

Fort Ruby and Information

The fort was built in 1862 with the primary purpose of protecting the Overland Mail route (famed Pony Express).  The fort had a reputation as the "worst post in the west" and was closed in 1869 when the new railroad took over the task of moving the mail.  There is very little left of the fort.  Visit the web site for more information and the location of Fort Ruby in the Ruby Valley of Nevada.

Nevada Northern Railway Museum   [History]

White Pine Public Museum

The museum features exhibits of historical artifacts, images and documents relevant to the history of Ely, Nevada.  Behind the museum is a steam powered drill, and the 1907 Cherry Creek Train Depot.  Located at 2000 Aultman Street in Ely, NV.

Museum Index for Other States

Nevada Census Records