Northeastern Nevada Museum
1515 Idaho Street
Constructed in 1967, the award-winning museum offers visitors a look into the rich history of the region.
A new display is the American Mastodon exhibit. It features the rare mastodon fossils found in nearby Spring Creek, a mural of the Spring Creek area and what it may have looked like 2 million years ago, and a replica of the dig site which includes the bones of the animal. A book chronicling the discovery is available in the Museum Store.
Included in the museum's other permanent exhibits are: a western saddle exhibit; a 1900's kitchen, school room and commercial printing press room; a Basque exhibit; a large collection of Shoshone baskets and Paiute beadwork; ranching, mining and railroad displays and more.
The museum's new Wanamaker Wing features an extensive wildlife collection and a western art gallery.
Don Frazier of Paradise Valley, Arizona has always been a Will James fan. Recently he also became a big fan of the Northeastern Nevada Museum in Elko, Nevada. So much so that he has pledged to give his entire collection of over 50 original signed Will James art works to the museum for their permanent collection. His art is appraised to be worth close to a million dollars.
Will James was born in Montreal, Canada in 1892. In 1907 he headed west to become a cowboy. Later he moved south into the United States where he lived the rest of his life, spending a great deal of time in Nevada and the Great Basin. After a brief stint in the U.S. Army, James continued to work as a full time cowboy. Some years later an accident forced him to turn to art and writing as a full time profession.
James wrote books for both children and adults about the American West and being a cowboy. He was also blessed with the unique talent of illustrating all his own books. He wrote 24 books, including Smokey the Cow Horse, his most famous book, all of which were richly illustrated by his own creative hand. James enjoyed great success writing and painting until his death in 1942.
James is considered by art critiques and enthusiasts as one of the top three western artists of all time, in the same category as Frederic Remington and Charles Russell.
Frazier received his first copy of a Will James book when he was seven years old and has been a big fan ever since. Now in his 80s, Frazier has amassed a large collection of original art works and rare first edition James’ books.
Most of Frazier’s collection has always been in private hands. Many of the works have never been available for public viewing until now.
The Northeastern Nevada Museum is delighted that Frazier has chosen Elko to be the permanent home of his Will James collection. “This will be a huge asset for the museum and the City of Elko” said museum exhibits coordinator Catherine Wines. Going on to say “Will James will be the flagship of a western art collection that will hopefully someday be in the same category as places like Cody, Wyoming’s and Denver, Colorado’s Western Art Museums.”
“Elko still possesses the mystique and charm of the American West” said Wines. “It seems natural for Elko to have an art museum that celebrates this culture.”
The Northeastern Nevada Museum’s board and staff have started plans and fundraising efforts for an addition to the Northeastern Nevada Museum to house the valuable collection along with many other works of art dealing with the west and the cowboy culture that is still alive and well in Elko County. Plans for the new building and fund raising projects will all be unveiled at an opening reception.
The exhibits department at the Northeastern Nevada Museum is planning to hang Frazier’s entire collection in the Halleck Bar Gallery from late August until January 2, 2008. After that time the museum will display part of the collection as space will allow and hold the entire collection until a new exhibit space can be built to permanently display the collection.
There will be an opening reception on August 30, 2007 from 6 to 8 p.m. The public is welcome and encouraged to attend this very special art event. Frazier is planning to make the trip from Arizona to attend the opening.
“These drawings and paintings will be one of the most valuable single artist collections in the State of Nevada” said Wines. She went on to say, “It will certainly make Elko a destination point for Western Art enthusiasts.”
Wines recently met with Frazier in Reno to secure details for the transfer of the collection to the museum. “He was a fascinating man, it was such a pleasure to speak with him about his life and his love of Nevada and Will James” said Wines. His life long fondness for Nevada and chasing wild horses led to a natural love of Will James and his art.
Wild mustangs were a favorite subject of Will James. “I love Will James because he told the real story of the American West, not the shoot em’ up version of many western authors” said Frazier. His books were about real cowboys in real every day situations.
For more information about the reception on August 30 or the new permanent Will James Art Collection at the Northeastern Nevada Museum in Elko please call 775.738.3418 or visit their website at www.museum-elko.us. The Northeastern Nevada Museum is located at 1515 Idaho Street in the Elko City Park with hours of operation Tuesday – Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and on Sundays 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
For additional information, (775) 738-3418 or visit www.museum-elko.us
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