Nevada State Museum opens at new home

It took all of her concentration, but she wanted to go it alone. The final piece snapped into place.

“Ta-da!” she celebrated, while clapping her hands.

Dozens of curious visitors, a majority of them members of the Springs Preserve, streamed through the museum doors, which were finally opened after a six-year wait caused by financial setbacks statewide. Most posed for photos in front of the Columbian mammoth skeleton displayed in the permanent exhibit before moving on throughout the 70,000-square-foot museum. The
$51.5 million building sits next to the $235 million, 180-acre Springs Preserve, which opened in 2007 at Valley View Boulevard and U.S. Highway 95.

As the family sat in the fossil exhibit, Sara Ives, Ember’s stepmother, said she thought it was great to learn about the state’s entire history.

“She’s never seen inside of a skeleton before,” said Ives, who also is a preserve member. “Ember, how big was the tooth you saw?”

Ember stretched her tiny arms out as far as she could.

“They were biiiiiig teeth,” she said, her eyes open wide.

Felicia Archer, museum spokeswoman, said the opening was scheduled to celebrate Nevada Day, the largest formal celebration honoring Nevada’s admittance into statehood.

“This is to honor this day’s history,” Archer said. “It’s a gift for Nevada. There’s something for everyone here.”

Children squealed and yelled as they headed for the interactive exhibits. Most wanted to pump the train car to watch what images appeared on a video screen under their power.

Jenny Boughner, 38, and her 4-year-old son, Jack, spent time viewing Native American beaded jewelry, the USS Nevada bell, beavers and an exhibit about Helen Stewart.

“When people think of Vegas, they immediately think of the Strip,” said Boughner, a member of the preserve. “It’s nice to have something true to the area. This is beautiful.”

Boughner said the location and pricing were convenient because ticket prices include admission to both the museum and preserve.

“I like it!” Jack exclaimed.

Jack listened carefully to an interactive phone telling Stewart’s story, and scolded his mother for not paying attention.

“This time, Mommy, really listen,” Jack said, with one phone on his ear and the other in an outstretched arm for his mother.

Stewart, a historic figure, rancher and businesswoman whose husband was murdered, helped shape Southern Nevada.

Peter Barton, administrator for the state’s Division of Museums, said the museum’s opening will help the area evolve into a cultural center. The previous 32,000-square-foot location, which opened in Lorenzi Park on Nevada Day in 1982, will be turned over to the city of Las Vegas. Barton said the city has plans to continue using the building as a cultural center.

“We’ll know by the end of the year,” Barton said. “The transfer remains to be seen, but we hope it’s in the next 90 days.”

Contact reporter Kristi Jourdan at kjourdan@reviewjournal.com or 455-4519.