Nevada State Railroad Museum wants indoor hall for aging fleet
The Boulder City facility opened a new visitor center in September but plans to build a structure to protect its collection of 35-year-old outdoor exhibits.
By Ariana Flores ·
Historical preservation in Nevada often relies on community support to maintain aging infrastructure.
The Nevada State Railroad Museum in Boulder City opened a new visitor center on Sept. 19. More than 1,000 people attended the opening event, which included dignitaries and invited guests. Museum staff reported receiving positive feedback from residents across Clark County as they toured the new facility and interacted with its exhibits.
The museum has operated since 1991. For the last 35 years, its collection of historic railroad equipment has remained outdoors. The collection includes locomotives, passenger cars, and freight cars. The oldest item in the collection was built in 1873, while the newest was built in 1979. This range covers more than 100 years of railroad history in the state.
Many of the vehicles in the collection have not been restored. Museum officials state that it is inefficient to spend resources restoring an artifact only to leave it exposed to the elements. The new visitor center was designed as an entry point for the campus, not as a standalone facility. The museum's master plan includes the construction of a display hall. This new building would house the historic equipment indoors. It would also provide space for additional exhibits, classrooms, and archival materials to support the museum's lifelong learning programs.
The museum receives more than 50,000 guests from Southern Nevada each year. Over 65% of visitors to Nevada express a desire to visit a cultural institution or historic site during their stay. The museum argues that indoor displays meet public expectations and help attract additional tourists. Visitors who spend time at museums tend to stay longer in the area. Longer stays increase the likelihood that tourists will eat at local restaurants, shop at local businesses, and book extra hotel nights. This activity generates jobs for residents and provides income for local business owners. It also creates sales tax revenue that funds public services such as roads, parks, police, and fire protection.
The museum is asking community members to support the construction of the display hall. Ways to contribute include volunteering, donating funds, or speaking to elected leaders in Carson City about the project. The museum cites a quote from John Steinbeck regarding the importance of preserving the past to understand the present. The organization aims to expand its public education role by offering more opportunities to students who visit each year. It also seeks to expand lifelong learning programs for adults and provide more research space for academics, authors, and amateur historians.
The display hall is the next stage in the museum's master plan. The facility would protect the collection from weather and allow for the restoration of unrestored vehicles. The museum states that this expansion will support the economic and cultural vitality of Boulder City and the wider Southern Nevada region.
