Welcome to Nevada's oldest museum, 120 years of History! The Nevada Historical Society was created and led by a woman, Dr. Jeanne Elizabeth Wier. She became a professor in the Department of History and Political Science and served as department head for many years before her retirement in 1940.
Wier’s extracurricular activities allowed her to leave her most lasting mark on Nevada. She was deeply involved with the women’s suffrage movement, but her largest contribution was the creation of the first state museum in Nevada. She actively collected, sought support for the organization, and oversaw the operation of the Nevada Historical Society from 1904 until her passing in 1950. By recognizing the importance of preserving the state’s history and making it accessible to everyone, and by fostering the principal institution that has worked to achieve those goals, Jeanne Wier left succeeding generations of Nevadans, and all those interested in the state’s history, in her debt.
The Nevada Historical Society collects and preserves our state’s cultural heritage to make it accessible to everyone through education, research, and exhibitions about the people, places, and events that shape Nevada. We encourage the spirit of discovery and pursuit of knowledge to enrich lives through history.
We strive to be:
- A diverse and inclusive educational institution that reflects the histories of all Nevadans
- A valuable resource that illuminates our past, connects us to the present, and inspires us for the future
- An accessible destination for education, research, and public programs
Designated parking has signage posted on the east side of our building. If those spaces are taken, you can use any UNR green parking spaces, including the space behind the KNPB station, with our free, temporary parking passes available at the Admissions office that you can place on your dashboard.
The museum will be closed beginning January 1, 2025, through May 31, 2026, for seismic retrofitting, lighting and electrical upgrades, and replacement of the front entrance stairs and ramps. Staff have been scheduling off-site programming, Writers’ Wednesday, Nevada History, and Artown Lectures.