Experience History with a Natural History Minication in Northern Nevada

The entire state of Nevada can be considered a natural history museum - the origins,
evolution, and interrelationships of plants, animals, and geology are viewed everywhere!
Often, especially in the intense desert heat or freezing cold, it's nicer to view that
information in a museum - particularly those located in Northern Nevada. With the
sharp increase in the price of fuel, new words were coined to describe the new style of
holiday for many Americans: daycation, comprised of traveling a short distance away for
a day, and minication, with travel a bit further, but organized to get more variety in two or
three days.

Enjoy a daycation to Reno, "The Biggest Little City in the World," and make
time for the museums listed below. Add a day, take an hour's drive, and visit the
museums in Nevada's capitol, Carson City. For a true Minication, include a jaunt to
Hawthorne. In addition to the museum, you can observe the blending of bunkers
(containing expired military firepower) with their desert surroundings along Highway
95.

1. W.M. Keck Museum, Reno - UNR Campus

775-784-4528
Free Admission
Open Monday - Friday, 9 - 4

The W.M. Keck Museum (formerly Mackey School of Mines Museum) is located on the
University of Nevada (UNR) campus, off Virginia & Center Streets. It sports a silver collection,
mining artifacts, and a large exhibit of rocks, minerals, and fossils. Visit the website for directions to the campus and the museum.

2. Nevada Historical Society Museum, Reno
775-688-1190
Fax 775-688-2917
1650 N. Virginia St, Reno NV 89503
Galleries open Wednesday - Saturday 10 - 5; Library open Wednesday - Saturday 12 - 4
Admission fees: Adults $4; members and under 17 free

Nevada's oldest museum, the Nevada Historical Society Museum was founded in 1904.
Permanent exhibits cover prehistoric times to the present. Special events occur from time to time. Call for further information or look at their website.

3. Nevada State Museum, Carson City
775-687-4810
Fax 775-687-4168
600 N. Carson St, Carson City NV 89701(4 blocks north of the state capitol building)
Open Wednesday - Saturday 8:30 - 4:30
Admission fees: Adults $8; members and under 17 free

Museum in a Mint
The Nevada State Museum is housed in the former U.S. Mint. The main features are a full-size
replica of a ghost town and an underground mine. Exhibits embrace historic memorabilia,
geology, and culture.

While in Carson City, visit the Railroad Museum, as well. 

4. Mineral County Historical Museum, Hawthorne
775-945-5142
400 -10^th St (mailing address P O Box 1584), Hawthorne, NV 89415
Open Tuesday - Saturday 11 - 5
Free Admission; donations accepted

A Real Drugstore?
Step back in history to a 1907 drugstore, mining equipment, and Victorian clothing and furniture.
The animal and fossil exhibits round out the Mineral County Historical Museum adventure.

Notes to help you enjoy the journey
1. Many of Nevada's museums depend on volunteers and donations to stay alive. Call in advance to check for changes in fees or days/hours of operations.

2. Nevada is a desert state - carry water and snacks.

3. Many areas in Nevada have interrupted or non-existent cell phone and radio reception. Bring along books and other activities to keep the kids entertained while on the road.

Previously published on AC/YCN; site folded