When people think of The Neon Museum, the first image that comes to mind is often the iconic glow of restored Las Vegas signs lighting up the desert night. But behind that brilliance lies a vast and multifaceted collection of objects and artifacts which preserve the stories, artistry, and lived experiences that shaped the city we know today.
Beyond the 322 signs and 977 individual pieces representing more than 200 properties, The Neon Museum is home to a dynamic and growing archive of Las Vegas history.
Here’s a glimpse:
- Signs and light: 100+ signs in the Neon Boneyard, 50+ in the North Gallery, and 18 on display as public art throughout the city each a testament to design, craftsmanship, and changing eras of Las Vegas style.
- Contemporary creativity: 167 works of contemporary art, including pieces from the Museum’s Artist In Residency program and contributions from today’s neon creators continuing the tradition in new forms.
- Fashion and textile design: 120 unique textiles from vintage T-shirts and jackets to costumes and backstage uniforms reflecting always evolving look of the city entertainment and hospitality stories.
- Architectural drawings: 1,896 renderings, blueprints, and technical drawings that document Las Vegas properties, including the ‘ghost’ properties that were never built.
- Archival records: 480 artifacts such as brochures, programs, menus, and magazines that bring the city’s bustling hospitality and entertainment scene to life.
- Souvenirs and collectibles: Nearly 1,000 items including mugs, ashtrays, ornaments, and more that capture how visitors remembered their time in Las Vegas, and how Las Vegas marketed brands in a non-traditional fashion.
- Visual storytelling: Over 5,700 photographs and postcards showcasing everything from performance publicity shots to sweeping cityscapes.
- Gaming heritage: 224 gambling-related artifacts, including poker chips and slot machine components that honor Vegas’s most iconic pastime and economic contribution.
- Everyday artifacts: 320 additional pieces from chandeliers to coasters each with its own piece of history.
- Voices of the city: More than 200 Vegas Voices™ recordings preserving personal stories, oral histories, and firsthand memories of people’s connection to Las Vegas and its neon legacy.
Together, these collections tell a story far larger than any single sign – they illuminate the creative, cultural, and human dimensions of a city that thrives on reinvention.
At The Neon Museum, we’re continually evolving our mission to ensure that Las Vegas history isn’t just seen—it’s heard, felt, and experienced through the objects and stories that shaped it.
National Endowment for the Arts Chair, Mary Anne Carter Visits The Neon Museum
The Neon Museum to Welcome Siegfried & Roy's Iconic Bronze Tiger Sculpture to Collection, April 24
