Explore Our Collection

Collection

In 1961, when the City of Las Vegas agreed to accept responsibility for the Roosevelt’s Rough Rider Association collection, the City Museum was born. Since then, the City of Las Vegas Museum has accepted items into the permanent collection from the whole of Las Vegas history. The collection totals over 7,000 items and consists of objects, photographs, and archival materials. The Museum’s collection includes objects dating from as early as the 1300s. Most material falls within the mid 19th through the mid 20th century. Artifacts are representative of the diverse backgrounds and lifestyles of settlers and passers by. You may view and search the inventoried collection through the on-line catalog.

Collection items fall into three categories: archival materials, photograph collection, and objects. All are considered part of the Museum’s permanent collection. Archival materials include business records, newspapers, municipal records, personal papers, and maps. Photographs include tintypes, prints, and negatives. The photo collection documents people, events, and places. Objects are three dimensional materials from blankets to wheelbarrows and include clothing and accessories, business items, agriculture equipment, and household furnishings.

Collection material is exhibited in themed displays. Fragile or ephemeral objects (textiles or some printed materials, for example) will deteriorate from long exposures to light. These items may be used in temporary exhibits or rotated in long-term displays.

---

Research

The Museum staff is available to assist researchers in accessing resource materials Tuesday through Friday. Advance appointments are encouraged to allow adequate time for staff to identify all appropriate materials. Researchers requesting to use the archival and photograph collections are required to review and agree to the Museum’s Collection Access Policy [pdf]. Examination of collection objects, either in storage or contained in exhibits, requires advanced notice. The Museum maintains a non-circulating library that focuses on local history, museum standards, and collection care. Rules and fees regarding reproduction of our collection material is outlined in the Collection Reproduction Policy [pdf]. Staff members will respond to inquiries with information from our collection. However, staff members cannot perform extensive research or search in collections outside the Museum.