Museum Madness!

National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement (“Mob Museum”)
Free passes to the Mob Museum are no longer available. Regular ticket prices are provided by accessing the website provided below.  The Mob Museum is an interactive museum dedicated to the history of organized crime and law enforcement. The museum presents a bold and authentic view of organized crime’s impact on Las Vegas, America and the world. For current exhibits, location and hours, visit the museum’s website at http://themobmuseum.org. 

Springs Preserve and Nevada State Museum
Free passes to the Springs Preserve and Nevada State Museum during the month of May are no longer available.  The Springs Preserve is hosting free days on May 6-7.  The Springs Preserve and Nevada State Museum is the premier place in Las Vegas to explore the valley’s vibrant history through interactive science and nature exhibits, botanical gardens, hiking, trails, and live animal shows.  For current exhibits, location and hours, visit www.springspreserve.org and Nevada State Museum http://museums.nevadaculture.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=427&Itemid=438.

National Atomic Testing Museum
Free passes to the National Atomic Testing Museum (NATM) are no longer available. The NATM tells the story of the nuclear weapons testing program at the Nevada Test Site and the hundreds of men and women who worked there, and those who are still working at the NV National Security Site.  In addition to the permanent displays that make up the core exhibit area of the museum, a temporary exhibit gallery features traveling exhibits and short-term themed exhibits related to science, engineering and technology.  For current exhibits, location and hours, visit www.atomictestingmuseum.org.

Historic Morelli House
Free Spring Open House event, Sunday, May 20, 1 – 3 p.m.  No RSVP required.  The event features vintage clothing and jewelry, guided tours of the Mid-Century Modern house and light refreshments.  The Morelli House was designed and built in 1959 by the Sand’s orchestra conductor and music director Antonio Morelli. The house was moved to its permanent location in 2001 by the Junior League of Las Vegas, after which it was listed on the city of Las Vegas Historic Property Register and Nevada State Register of Historic Places. 

Lost City Museum
Free entrance to the first 50 people at the door on Native Plants Day on May 12, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. with a presentation by a botanist at 2:00 p.m.  No RSVP required. Visitors will learn about the native plants of the Mojave Desert and how indigenous populations used them for food and medicine. Visitors will also be able to try samples of the native plants and dishes with the plant as a main ingredient. For current exhibits, location and hours, visit the museum’s website at http://museums.nevadaculture.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=397&Itemid=125.

Clark County Museum
Free day on May 12.  No RSVP required.  The Clark County Museum is a 30-acre site that features a modern exhibit hall with a timeline exhibit about southern Nevada from pre-historic to modern times and a collection of restored historic buildings that depict daily life from different decades in Las Vegas, Boulder City, Henderson and Goldfield.  For current exhibits, location and hours, visit the museum’s website at http://www.clarkcountynv.gov/Depts/parks/Pages/clark-county-museum.aspx.

Las Vegas Natural History Museum
Free events April 29 – May 5.  No RSVP required.  April 29 is “Ologist Day at the Museum.”  Kick off the second annual Science Festival at the Las Vegas Natural History Museum on April 29, 2012 from 2 – 4 pm to celebrate “Ologist Day at the Museum.” Meet nine “ologists” from paleontologists, to meteorologists, and anthropologists. Learn what a day in the life of a scientist is like and how you can be an “ologist” too! Bring along any “ologists” in training.  April 29 through May 5 is the second annual Las Vegas Science Festival (http://www.lasvegassciencefestival.com), seven days of the largest, most action-packed celebration of science, technology, engineering, and math in Southern Nevada.  "Eww! What's Eating You?" opens on May 12. This excitingly icky exhibit will 'infest' the Museum until September 2012.  For current exhibits, hours and location, visit the museum’s website at http://www.lvnhm.org.

Neon Museum
The Neon Museum collects, preserves, studies and exhibits historic Las Vegas neon signs for educational, historic and cultural enrichment.  The Neon Museum is currently undergoing construction of a new visitors center with expected completion in Summer 2012.  The museum is open for tours during construction.  For tour information, fees, hours and location, visit www.neonmuseum.org.

Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort State Park
This state park includes a remnant of the original adobe fort built by Mormon missionaries along Las Vegas Creek in 1855. The reconstructed adobe contains interpretive displays. A visitors center contains exhibits on the history of the site, as well as historic artifacts. For tour information, fees, current exhibits, location and hours, visit http://parks.nv.gov/parks/old-las-vegas-mormon-fort.
 
Burlesque Hall of Fame
Free during normal operating hours.  A living tribute to the raucous, ribald hybrid of music, comedy, theatre, and dance known as burlesque. With a collection including thousands of artifacts from Sally Rand's fans and Gypsy Rose Lee's traveling trunk to the scrapbooks, programs, and publicity photos of working burlesque performers from around the world, the Burlesque Hall of Fame celebrates the depth and breadth of the burlesque experience.  For current exhibits, hours and location, visit http://burlesquehall.com.

Marjorie Barrick Museum, UNLV
Free during normal operating hours.  The UNLV Barrick Museum’s collection includes a comprehensive collection of archaeological artifacts from nearly every culture of Pre-Columbian Latin America as well as Mexican dance masks and retablos; Guatemalan, Bolivian, and Navajo textiles; Paiute and Hopi basketry; and Pueblo jewelry. The Barrick Museum is currently closed for renovation and will re-open in late Spring 2012, with material from its collection as well as contemporary artworks on display. Visit the website at http://barrickmuseum.unlv.edu for information about the Museum’s re-opening and other upcoming events.

Nevada State Railroad Museum
The Nevada State Railroad Museum preserves the railroad heritage of Nevada, including locomotives and cars of the famous Virginia & Truckee Railroad and other railroads of the Silver State.  Museum activities consist of operation of historic railroad equipment, including train rides, handcar rides, lectures, an annual railroad history symposium, changing exhibits, and a variety of special events.  The Museum also has an ongoing research and restoration program.  For tour information, fees, current exhibits, hours and location, visit http://museums.nevadaculture.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=412&Itemid=440.