Nevada State Museum, Carson City

The Nevada State Museum in Carson City is a state museum with collections covering wildlife, geology, mining history, and indigenous artifacts displayed across multiple gallery spaces. The exhibits showcase fossils, minerals, historical objects from silver mining, and cultural items organized by theme throughout the building.

The building functioned as the United States Mint from 1870 to 1893, producing coins from silver extracted from Nevada's Comstock Lode mines. After the mint closed, the structure was later transformed into a museum to preserve the region's mining and cultural heritage.

The museum displays baskets, tools, and ceremonial objects from Northern Paiute, Western Shoshone, and Washoe peoples. Visitors can see traditional craftsmanship and spiritual items that reflect the daily life and beliefs of these communities.

The museum is open Tuesday through Sunday from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM with free parking available on Curry Street. Visitors should plan to spend one to three hours depending on their interests in the different gallery areas.

The museum preserves Coin Press No. 1 from 1869, which continues to produce commemorative medallions during special demonstrations. Visitors can watch during these demonstrations as the historical machine still operates and creates coins with historic dies.

Location: Nevada

Founders: Clark J. Guild

Website: https://nvculture.org/nevadastatemuseumcarsoncity

GPS coordinates: 39.16800,-119.76745

Latest update: December 9, 2025 18:48