Northeastern Nevada Museum

On a visit to Elko’s Northeastern Nevada Museum during his first term, late Governor Kenny Guinn remarked, “This is the best museum in the State of Nevada,” and we couldn’t agree more.
The 40,000 square-foot facility is a complete balance of culture, education and entertainment. The Elko Northeastern Nevada Museum’s history gallery and collection preserves and protects the colorful past of this area while the extensive historical archives including photos, newspapers dating back to 1872, records, maps, manuscripts and a research library, as well as features extensive cultural, economic and early settlers artifacts.
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,
  • and ranching, mining and railroad displays and more.

Wildlife Comes Alive

The museum’s Wanamaker Wildlife Wing contains more than 300 animal mounts from around the world, most exhibited in a natural setting. Ancient mastodon bones which were uncovered in nearby Spring Creek are also on display. Exhibits in the museum’s rotating art galleries feature local, regional and national art shows. The museum has several valuable permanent art collections which include photos by legendary photographers Ansel Adams and Edward Weston.

The Will James Art Collection

In 2007, Don Frazier of Paradise Valley, Arizona pledged to give his entire collection of over 50 original signed Will James artworks to the museum for their permanent collection. His art is appraised to be worth close to a million dollars and is on display for visitors to enjoy.

For more information about the Northeastern Nevada Museum in Elko, call (775) 738-3418 or visit the website at museumelko.org.