wonderful things. - Las Vegas Natural History Museum

Text
23
Mission
4
5
6
10
12
14
16
17
18
19
20
22
from the chairman
from the director
exploration
vision of the future
engelstad exhibition
education department
collections
special events
year in review
demographics
financial report
fund raising
credits
President, Exhibit IQ
Director of Public Affairs, Cox Communications
Law Offices of Anthony D. Guenther, Esq.
Of Counsel at Cane Clark LLP
Sylvester & Polednak
Principal, NewMarket Advisors
President, MG Fauci Construction
District Manager, Walmart
General Marketing Event Manager,
Southern Wine & Spirits of Nevada
COO, Mirage Hotel and Casino
President, Weddle & Associates
The original Tut's Tomb artifact in the Egyptian Museum collection
was destroyed during the Egyptian uprising; this replica is on
display at the Las Vegas Natural History Museum.
2
3

Letter from the Chairman
Letter from the Director
The last few years have been trying times for our community. Everyone has had to adjust to
new economic realities that often mean having to make do with a lot less. The local economic
climate has been particularly difficult for our city’s museum community. Sadly we’ve lost a
couple of venerable cultural organizations as part of the overall downturn.
Thankfully, under the capable leadership of our founder and executive director Marilyn
Gillespie, the Las Vegas Natural History Museum has not only survived these challenging
times but also thrived. As this annual report reveals, the past year has seen some of our best
attendance numbers ever. We hosted a record-breaking Dinosaur Ball in the fall and embarked
on a major expansion initiative that included the opening of the Treasures of Egypt Hall and a
complete remodel of the front entrance. If you haven’t visited the Museum recently, you may
not recognize it! From our new solar power generating covered parking to a completely new
outer façade that better represents all of the treasures visitors will find inside – the Museum has
never looked better!
2011 marks the Museum’s 20th Anniversary and we fully expect another year of growth both in
the Museum and throughout our neighborhood – the Cultural Corridor. We’ll soon dedicate a
stunning new bridge that connects the Las Vegas Natural History Museum with the Las Vegas
Library and Lied Discovery Children’s Museum across the street. Our portion of Las Vegas
Boulevard is now awash in beautifully refurbished historic neon signs as part of the soonto-open
Neon Museum just down the street. And inside the Museum, you’ll see continued
progress on our interior renovations and gallery additions. The Museum is also taking the lead
with the production of a very exciting first-ever Las Vegas Science Festival in May and will host
another engaging traveling exhibit over the summer.
At a time when other organizations have been forced to greatly reduce services or close their
doors altogether, the Las Vegas Natural History Museum remains a healthy and vital institution.
Of course this would not have been possible had it not been for your continued support, the
stellar management of Marilyn and her team, and the active involvement and guidance of our
board of directors. Thank you to everyone who contributes to the Museum’s success!
We look forward to welcoming you and your family at one, or all, of our exciting programs and
events at the Museum this year.
The Museum’s history has been a journey filled with growth, change and improvement.
After surviving incredible odds in our formative years, the Museum has evolved into an
invaluable resource for the Las Vegas community. We’re an active participant in education
by continuing to broaden horizons, introducing new experiences and enriching lives.
The Las Vegas Natural History Museum has established itself as a place where children
and families come to learn and have fun. Responding to the needs within the community,
the Museum has developed innovative exhibits and educational programs that continue
to engage children and promote early childhood learning. As the only Museum in the
community with a collection extensive enough to interpret life forms and environments
beyond the local region, the Museum is a place rich in resources.
As a Smithsonian Affiliate, the Museum has access to the Smithsonian’s vast collections.
This affiliation will benefit the community through long-term loans of artifacts that are
being integrated into exhibitions and educational programs.
The Museum is more than a building and a collection; it is a dedicated and endlessly
resourceful staff, a tireless group of volunteers, and a committed Board of Directors.
We have learned that we progress through partnerships, and we succeed only with the
gracious help and support of many.
During a period of economic uncertainty, the Museum has made major strides: we
completed our first building addition, opened a new major permanent exhibit, and
remodeled the exterior and interior entrance areas. We present this review of the
Museum’s accomplishments of 2010, and look forward to continued growth as we
journey into our twentieth year.
Marilyn Gillespie
Director
John H. Good
Board Chair
4
5

Exploration is
about discovery
In November 1922 in the Valley
of the Kings, Egyptologist Howard
Carter discovered a series of steps
leading to a sealed door.
Behind the door, there was a passageway and another sealed door marked with the royal
impressions of the Pharaoh Tutankhamun. With trembling hands Carter made a tiny hole
in the door. He inserted a candle and peered in. At first he could see nothing.
And then … “As my eyes grew accustomed to the light, details of the room within
emerged slowly from the mist, strange animals, statues, and gold – everywhere the glint of
gold. For the moment – an eternity it must have seemed to the others standing by – I was
struck dumb with amazement, and when Lord Carnarvon, unable to stand the suspense
any longer, inquired anxiously, 'Can you see anything?' it was all I could do to get out the
words, 'Yes, wonderful things.'” (Howard Carter; The Tomb of Tutankhamen, 1923).
The "wonderful things" that Carter saw represented the greatest Egyptian antiquities
ever discovered and the greatest archeological find in world history.
7

In 2010, the Las Vegas Natural History
Museum proudly opened its newest
permanent gallery, Treasures of Egypt. We
tell Howard Carter’s story because it is
now the Museum’s story as well. Treasures
of Egypt re-creates Carter’s experience for
visitors as they first peer into its wonders
through a narrow opening in the wall.
The most significant part of the display is
comprised of carefully reproduced replicas,
donated by the Luxor Las Vegas Hotel and
Casino from its former King Tut’s Tomb
Museum. All of the items were made in
Egypt by Egyptian artisans, with the same
materials and techniques used 3,000 years
ago. Each item was approved by the Head of
Egyptian Antiquities before being sent to
Las Vegas, and the tomb contents are one
of the only two reproductions sanctioned
by the Egyptian government.
Today, at least one of the statues –
Tutankhamun standing on the back of a
leopard – has become even more significant.
The original piece on display at the renowned
Egyptian Museum in Cairo was destroyed in
the early 2011 uprising.
Extending beyond the royal life of the
pharaoh, visitors experience the daily life of
ancient Egypt. A recreated Egyptian village
and marketplace offers a hands-on encounter
of day-to-day tasks such as gathering water,
grinding wheat, making pottery, using ancient
carpenter’s tools and bartering for food and
supplies. The exhibit reveals this ancient
culture’s dependence upon the Nile River
and how its people thrived in the harsh
desert environment.
State-of-the-art technology shows the
fascinating mummification process. In the
first-time use of this technology in a museum
setting, visitors slide a computerized panel over
a replica mummy, to reveal CAT scan images.
Two touch-screen experiences give a virtual tour
of King Tut’s burial chamber, and a cruise on
the Nile detailing life 3,000 years ago.
Treasures of Egypt opened January 31,
2010 in a building addition that enclosed
a 5,000 square-foot outdoor patio. An
appropriation from the 2007 State of Nevada
Legislature funded the addition. Development
of the exhibit was made possible by a
generous donation from the Engelstad
Family Foundation.
The exhibit presents an ideal teaching and
learning environment for a variety of subjects
including geography, history, mathematics,
science and technology. The new Ancient
Egypt Experience introduces middle school
students to this ancient world in guided gallery
and lab sessions.
For nearly two decades the Museum has
maintained a steady rate of exhibit construction
that supports its mission statement; 2010
represented a banner year and has paved the
way for continue growth.
8
9

Vision for the Future
The Museum will engage, expand and captivate the minds of visitors
to the wonders of the natural world.
Over its 19-year history, the Museum has continued to
expand within the confines of the existing facility, remodeling
the physical structure, making significant upgrades and creating
exhibits. The underlying goal has been to continue to improve
and to strive for higher standards.
In 2010 the Museum completed its first expansion project.
Future building projects will encompass the Marine Life Gallery,
which will allow for improved life systems, expanded interpretive
capabilities and additional offices for the growing staff. The
Museum also needs larger collection areas. As the Museum grows,
its collection (the core of the Museum) grows. Currently, all
collections are stored in a 1,000 square-foot room with difficult
access. Some collection donations have been turned away due to
an inability to store and properly curate new items.
In June of 2009, the Board of Directors conducted strategic
planning for a three-year period (2010-2012). To assist the Museum
in its journey to reach its vision, goals were identified as:
This plan is a means to strengthen the Museum and its
ability to continue to be a valued educational resource to the
Las Vegas community.
10
11

New Endowment
for Traveling Exhibits
The Museum hosts at least one traveling
exhibition each year, and featured two in
2010. These exhibits allow the Museum
to extend beyond its own collections and
broaden its teaching capabilities. They
encourage interest for new visitors and offer
new experiences for Museum members.
The Engelstad Family Foundation assists the
Museum in bringing exciting new traveling
exhibits to the Las Vegas community.
The Museum launched the new Engelstad
Family Special Exhibition Series with Bizarre
Beasts Past and Present. This exhibit features
replicas of some of the strangest animals ever
to inhabit the Earth, from giant terror birds
to incredible invertebrates. It explores the
forces that cause life to change and adapt to
different environments. Each of the bizarre
animals ran, swam, flew or crawled on the
Earth at some point during its history.
In January 2009, the Museum opened
the acclaimed traveling exhibit, Glow: Living
Lights, created by the exhibition company
Exhibit IQ. Glow: Living Lights explores
the phenomenon of bioluminescence, the
ability of an organism to produce light. The
exhibit explains how and why some animals
“glow.” Using rare photographs and film
footage, research-related artifacts, live and
preserved specimens and hands-on activities,
the exhibit sheds light on bioluminescence
and the important role it plays in nature and
in medical research. Glow: Living Lights was
on display at the Museum until spring 2010.
Text
12
13

Education Department
This year, the Museum published its first teacher packet, to assist
educators in making connections with field trips and state standards.
It contains information on tour programs, exhibits, scholarships and
scheduling; it also shows program alignment with Nevada State Education
Standards. Download the new Teacher Guide at: lvnhm.org/education
The Open Door Program provides scholarships for at-risk schools to
visit the Museum free of charge. An organized school field trip is the
only opportunity most of these children will have to experience the
Museum. In 2010, approximately 20,000 children from economically
disadvantaged schools toured the Museum through this program.
The Explore! Program provides school bus transportation to the
Museum for at-risk schools. This program funded 233 school buses
at a cost of $25,670 in 2010.
Both of these programs are underwritten by generous support
from community-minded corporations and local businesses.
students. It is based on National Science Standards and the Clark
County Curriculum Essentials Framework. The program was expanded
this year to include both life and earth studies for grades 4 – 8.
Integrating inquiry-based, investigative and hands-on learning with
peer interaction, this combined interpretive Museum tour and lab
experience encourages observational and deductive reasoning skills as
well as self-discovery outside the traditional classroom setting.
With the opening of Treasures of Egypt, the Museum created
the student program Ancient Egypt Experience. This rich exhibit
introduces middle school students to diverse topics such as the
ancient Egyptians’ dependence on the Nile River for survival; the
social hierarchy and its impact on the daily lives of the Egyptians;
and the technology and archaeology that reveals their legacy.
Students explore ancient Egypt through geography, history,
mathematics, science and technology, using teamwork and critical
thinking in a combined gallery and lab experience. This is the
Museum’s first program focusing on culture and aligning with
Nevada State Social Studies Standards.
adaptation within a threatened environment. This program served
approximately 3,600 at-risk students in its first year.
Through the Las Vegas Centennial Grants Project, the Museum
developed the Wild Nevada Trunks Program with curriculum,
activities, books, and specimens to help teachers illustrate the
natural history of Nevada specific to 4th grade curriculum.
To enrich family visits, the Museum offers Family Weekend Science.
For years, these interactive opportunities have showcased educational
applications of basic scientific principles through hands-on experiments,
“make-and-take” projects and the use of scientific equipment. Families
have made mini-volcanoes, witnessed shark dissections and excavated a
dinosaur at a mock site. A popular component of the Weekend Science
Program is Critter Connections, where visitors interact with and
learn more about live animals. Many of the animals highlighted in
the program are residents of the Museum.
14
The Museum’s field trip programs are carefully designed by grade level
to introduce students to science and nature found around the world.
Learning Safaris use guided questioning and interaction to
empower 1st – 8th grade students to construct knowledge, make
discoveries and connect their experience to the natural world while
exploring habitats or adaptations.
Early Explorers addresses early childhood developmental milestones,
through active exploration and interactive inquiry, for children from 3
to 6 years old. Children learn important skills, concepts and vocabulary
to provide a foundation for future science education.
Science Sleuths has been in place for a number of years, as a
response to low science test scores of Clark County School District
We bring the Museum’s science programs to schools when students
can’t come to the Museum. In 2010, the Museum expanded the
Outreach and Teaching Trunk Program through Omnibus funds.
New presentations and trunks have been created for PK – 1st grade
classrooms on dinosaurs, garden animals and ancient Egypt. Lessons
include inquiry-based activity centers, books, games and observation of
models or specimens. In addition, many of the investigative and handson
learning activities from the Science Sleuths programs for 4th – 6th
grade classrooms can now travel to the classroom.
The Underwater City: Life in the Coral Reef is an interdisciplinary
outreach program for 2nd and 3rd grade classrooms. Benchmarks
include habitats and ecosystems, conservation, and organism
The past comes to life in the Museum’s newest educational offering,
"Walk with the Egyptians" theatrical series. This living history program
features an Egyptian high priest and embalmer giving lessons to his
young son who will be following in his father’s career path, as was the
custom in ancient Egypt. The lessons describe the mummification
process, as well as how and why it was done.
The royal embalmer, Baruti, is played by Ellis Rice; his son, Ahmose
is played by young Cory Covell. These short plays take place in the new
Treasures of Egypt gallery twice a month on Sundays. There are two
performances, at12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Future plays will take these ancient characters through their daily
activities and give audiences a glimpse into life in Egypt 3,000 year ago.
15

Collections
Special Events
In 1995, Bruno Scherrer of Los Angeles donated his vast collection of taxidermied
specimens. Several of the animals in the collection are so rare they cannot be found in
any other U.S. museum. With this collection, the Museum was no longer reliant upon
loaned items.
One significant item in the Museum’s fossil collection is a prehistoric three-millionyear-old
four-tusked elephant, Rhynchotherium. This fossil is the best specimen of this
species and has had several scientific papers written about it.
Non-living collection
Taxidermy mounts, fossils, wildlife artwork, cultural artifacts, models and robotic creations
Primarily used for exhibition, but occasionally art students have used the collection
as study models.
Living collection
Reptiles, fish, amphibians, insects and invertebrates
Living specimens allow the Museum to better demonstrate the diversity of life, as
well as promote compassion and conservation.
Teaching collection
Replaceable, sturdy specimens that children can handle
This collection supplements exhibits and programs by bringing objects to the visitor
and enhancing their museum experience.
The Museum continues to collect and to expand its interpretive abilities. Its extensive
collections total 6,847 individual items, consisting of taxidermied mammals and birds, shells
and mollusks, North American bird nests, and bird eggs, fiberglass sharks and whales, fossils,
skulls, African masks and wildlife art. Items from the Luxor Hotel and Casino include murals,
statues and artifacts representing the contents of King Tut’s tomb. The Museum owns one of
only two tomb reproductions sanctioned by the Egyptian government.
16
VIP preview reception,
Treasures of Egypt
This exclusive pre-opening special event
showcased the Museum’s first expansion
project and newest permanent exhibit.
Speakers were Mayor Oscar Goodman,
donor Kris Engelstad McGarry of the
Engelstad Family Foundation, and Felix
Rappaport, representing MGM Mirage
and Luxor Hotel and Casino.
Egyptian Art contest
For 3rd-5th GATE students in the Clark
County School District; four winners
and their classes received a free field
trip and were the first students to see
Treasures of Egypt in late January.
Earth Day celebration with
Stories From the Earth
The programs focused on rocks, wind,
plants and fossils and how man will
impact the Earth’s future.
traveling exhibit sneak preview
Members viewed the inaugural traveling
exhibit sponsored by the Engelstad
Family Foundation Special Exhibition
Series, Bizarre Beasts Past and Present.
19th anniversary party and
Desert Animal Funarama
Activities and programs revolved around
desert animals such as the Mojave green
rattlesnake, Australia’s thorny devil lizard
and a live camel.
The 18th annual Dinosaur Ball,
at the Luxor Hotel and Casino
The Philanthropic Organization of
2010 Award was presented to the E. L.
Wiegand Foundation, accepted by Marie
Hoel. The Conservationists of the Year
Award recognized the family of world
conservationist Steve Irwin – Terri, Bindi
and Robert Irwin – who were present
to accept the award. More than 300
guests attended this successful event,
emceed by Kevin Janison of Channel 3.
Entertainment was presented by a variety
of Luxor entertainers.
Halloween
Kids in costumes were admitted free on
October 29 and 30. Participants made their
own slime, touched gooey-slimey “stuff,”
made bubbles from dry ice and went on a
scavenger hunt for mummy hands.
A December to Remember
For this collaborative effort of the
Cultural Corridor, each institution
presented its own programming based
on winter celebrations. The Museum
takes a global approach to explore
celebrations of many ethnicities and
faiths. The result is a collection of
displays that illustrate world-wide beliefs
and traditions. To kick off the six-week
event, (November 26 – January 3) the
Museum conducted a Cultural Fashion
Show to illustrate diverse costuming
from around the world.
17

Year In Review
In 2010 the Las Vegas Natural History
Museum experienced an 8% increase in
visitation with 86,892 visitors – the secondhighest
attendance in our history. The
Museum’s main audience has been Clark
County School District students and local
families with small children. Marketing efforts
have been geared toward touching these target
groups. While field trip attendance fell slightly,
visitation by local families and tourists rose,
which tells us that families found the Museum
18
an accessible and affordable option during
tough economic times.
The Museum invested in television
advertising to announce the opening of it
newest exhibit, Treasures of Egypt. Several
billboards were rotated around the Las Vegas
Valley illustrating the exhibit’s eye-catching
ad campaign, “No ifs, ands, or Tuts!”
The Museum’s Education Department
works closely with the Clark County School
District Partnership Office to promote the
unique programs being offered. We produced
a new teacher packet to assist area educators
in their field trip scheduling. The Las Vegas
Natural History Museum has long been one
of the preferred field trip destinations for
Clark County schoolteachers.
A sponsorship from Bank of America
and its monthly Museums on Us program
has created awareness and encouraged
visitation of its customers. Target sponsored
two free days that augmented attendance on
September 11 and during the December to
Remember event.
Of our 86,892 visitors, approximately onethird
– 29,367 – were Clark County School
District students on organized field trips.
Most of these children are in elementary
school grades K-6. Their ages range from 5
to 12 years old; they were equally divided
between boys and girls.
More than 60% of these students
(nearly 20,000) were from at-risk schools
and utilized the Open Door and
EXPLORE! Programs. Determination of
low-income to moderate-income status is
based on the at-risk designation provided
by the school district, and the economic
status of the areas in which the schools
are located. Statistical information about
FRL (Free or Reduced Lunches) allows
the Museum to serve more students with
economic needs.
The remaining 57,517 visitors were local
families and tourists. Approximately 13% of
the Museum’s visitors were tourists.
19

Financial Report
Operational
Admissions $266,258
Interest Income $246
Giftshop $67,819
Other $2,699
Subtotal $337,022
Donations Non-Specific $16,722
Donations Specific $1,800
Memberships Family $48,190
Memberships Corporate $5,750
Memberships FOM $13,935
Bricks Fund-raiser $1,250
Special Events $105,489
Donations Gift-in-Kind $98,000
Subtotal $291,136
Remodel $150,815
Endowment Interest $20,001
Exhibit Donations $31,400
Collection Maintenance $4,500
Animal Care Donation $44,041
Education Program $140,745
Subtotal $391,502
TOTAL REVENUE $1,019,660
Wages $374,213
Payroll Taxes $30,499
Accounting $6,250
Advertising $24,453
Auto $0
Cost of Goods Giftshop $35,221
Misc. and Administrative $11,312
Dues and Memberships $5,403
Insurance $30,370
Janitorial $8,505
Office Supplies $4,085
Postage and Shipping $3,502
Outside Services $38,950
Repairs and Maintenance $28,318
Telephone $3,228
Utilities $282
Gift-in-Kind Expenditures $98,000
Fund-raising Expenses $50,713
Subtotal $753,304
Animal Care $29,477
Exhibit Expenses $188,257
Collection Maintenance $3,859
Education Program $65,964
Traveling Exhibit $36,066
Entrance Remodel $151,112
Staff Development $1,561
Subtotal $476,296
TOTAL EXPENSES $1,229,600
*Project funds received in 2009 were expended in 2010.
20

Fund-raising
Educational programs, exhibits and
operational needs are sustained and
expanded by the generosity of foundations,
corporations and individuals.
In 2009 the Museum received its largest
donation to date. The Engelstad Family
Foundation donated $500,000 for the
completion of the Egyptian exhibit and
provided an endowment of $1 million. The
endowment is dedicated as The Engelstad
Family Special Exhibition Series and supports
the annual traveling exhibit programming.
The E. L. Wiegand Foundation provided
a $143,000 grant that enabled the Museum to
make major improvements to the building.
Renovations to the exterior and interior
entrance gave the building a much-needed
upgrade and new look. A replica of a fossil
wall surrounds the door to greet visitors
and offer a glimpse at some of the treasures
they will encounter in the Museum. The
Museum also added a new dinosaur to its
collection. In an effort to showcase the cutting
edge of scientific thinking, the Museum
commissioned artist Ed Bigelow to create a
feathered Deinonychus (pictured above).
To further enhance the exterior of the
building, the Museum secured a grant from
the City of Las Vegas VIP Program which
supports redevelopment of the downtown area.
Funding from this grant and the E. L. Wiegand
Foundation allowed for landscaping and a new
slate façade on the walls and entrance patio.
Family memberships also help sustain the
Museum. This type of membership offers
frequent visit benefits and gift shop discounts,
while it remains affordable starting at $65. A
new collaboration with Association of Science-
Technology Centers offers Museum members
free admission to science museums around
the country. The “Friends of the Museum”
membership category also attracts members
starting at the $250 level. Approximately
900 families participate in the Museum’s
membership programs.
The annual Dinosaur Ball, the Museum’s
only fund-raising event, raised $105,500 in
2010. The Ball was held at the Luxor Las Vegas
Hotel and Casino and attracted over 300
guests. Honorees were the E. L. Wiegand
Foundation, Philanthropic Organization of
the Year; and Terri Irwin and her children
Bindi and Robert as Conservationists of the
Year for continuing the legacy of Steve Irwin
and his conservation efforts.
The following individuals, corporations
and foundations made a contribution to the
Las Vegas Natural History Museum in 2010.
Space limitations prevent us from listing
donations under $1,000. This list only
reflects the larger donations of gifts in kind.
E. L. Wiegand Foundation
Exhibit IQ
City of Las Vegas
M. G. Fauci Construction
U. S. Department of Education
Lamar Outdoor Advertising
Las Vegas Billboards
WalMart
Engelstad Family Foundation
Bank of America
Cox Communications
Target
Wesley Martin Consulting
Boyd Foundation
Evening Call
Felix Rappaport
Wells Fargo Bank
5th Avenue Restaurant Group
Cox Charities / United Way
McDonald Carano Wilson
NV Energy
New Market Advisors
Southwest Gas
Sylvester and Polednak, Ltd.
Allen D. Kohl Charitable Foundation, Inc.
Anita Mann
Carolyn Sparks
Cirque du Soleil
FaissFoleyWarren
Greenheart, LLC
Hollywood Bar, LLC
Joshua Reid Anderson Foundation
Kaercher Campbell & Associates
Marilyn Gillespie Davis
Martin Harris Construction
Phillip T. Varricchio
Republic Services Disposal
Safari Club Int’l Desert Las Vegas Chapter
United Way
Anthony & Debra Guenther
Desert Research Industries
Edward & Deanna Ackerman
English Garden Florist
George Isaacs
Harry & Helen Mortenson
HSBC Bank Nevada, N.A.
Las Vegas – Clark County Library District
Mark Litwin
MGM Voice Foundation
Michael Angelo Co.
Nevada State Bank
Project Dinner Table
Richard A. Ditton
Superior Letterpress
Timothy & Denise Cashman
Tire Works
Vegaswood Industries
The Museum could not function without the
support of concerned, involved volunteers
including the Board of Directors, the Dinosaur
Ball Committee, and the docents who give
tours to thousands of children each year. In
2010, dedicated Museum volunteers served a
total of 4,500 hours.
The Museum is especially grateful to the
volunteers who served 100 hours or more:
22
23

Fund-raising
Educational programs, exhibits and
operational needs are sustained and
expanded by the generosity of foundations,
corporations and individuals.
In 2009 the Museum received its largest
donation to date. The Engelstad Family
Foundation donated $500,000 for the
completion of the Egyptian exhibit and
provided an endowment of $1 million. The
endowment is dedicated as The Engelstad
Family Special Exhibition Series and supports
the annual traveling exhibit programming.
The E. L. Wiegand Foundation provided
a $143,000 grant that enabled the Museum to
make major improvements to the building.
Renovations to the exterior and interior
entrance gave the building a much-needed
upgrade and new look. A replica of a fossil
wall surrounds the door to greet visitors
and offer a glimpse at some of the treasures
they will encounter in the Museum. The
Museum also added a new dinosaur to its
collection. In an effort to showcase the cutting
edge of scientific thinking, the Museum
commissioned artist Ed Bigelow to create a
feathered Deinonychus (pictured above).
To further enhance the exterior of the
building, the Museum secured a grant from
the City of Las Vegas VIP Program which
supports redevelopment of the downtown area.
Funding from this grant and the E. L. Wiegand
Foundation allowed for landscaping and a new
slate façade on the walls and entrance patio.
Family memberships also help sustain the
Museum. This type of membership offers
frequent visit benefits and gift shop discounts,
while it remains affordable starting at $65. A
new collaboration with Association of Science-
Technology Centers offers Museum members
free admission to science museums around
the country. The “Friends of the Museum”
membership category also attracts members
starting at the $250 level. Approximately
900 families participate in the Museum’s
membership programs.
The annual Dinosaur Ball, the Museum’s
only fund-raising event, raised $105,500 in
2010. The Ball was held at the Luxor Las Vegas
Hotel and Casino and attracted over 300
guests. Honorees were the E. L. Wiegand
Foundation, Philanthropic Organization of
the Year; and Terri Irwin and her children
Bindi and Robert as Conservationists of the
Year for continuing the legacy of Steve Irwin
and his conservation efforts.
The following individuals, corporations
and foundations made a contribution to the
Las Vegas Natural History Museum in 2010.
Space limitations prevent us from listing
donations under $1,000. This list only
reflects the larger donations of gifts in kind.
E. L. Wiegand Foundation
Exhibit IQ
City of Las Vegas
M. G. Fauci Construction
U. S. Department of Education
Lamar Outdoor Advertising
Las Vegas Billboards
WalMart
Engelstad Family Foundation
Bank of America
Cox Communications
Target
Wesley Martin Consulting
Boyd Foundation
Evening Call
Felix Rappaport
Wells Fargo Bank
5th Avenue Restaurant Group
Cox Charities / United Way
McDonald Carano Wilson
NV Energy
New Market Advisors
Southwest Gas
Sylvester and Polednak, Ltd.
Allen D. Kohl Charitable Foundation, Inc.
Anita Mann
Carolyn Sparks
Cirque du Soleil
FaissFoleyWarren
Greenheart, LLC
Hollywood Bar, LLC
Joshua Reid Anderson Foundation
Kaercher Campbell & Associates
Marilyn Gillespie Davis
Martin Harris Construction
Phillip T. Varricchio
Republic Services Disposal
Safari Club Int’l Desert Las Vegas Chapter
United Way
Anthony & Debra Guenther
Desert Research Industries
Edward & Deanna Ackerman
English Garden Florist
George Isaacs
Harry & Helen Mortenson
HSBC Bank Nevada, N.A.
Las Vegas – Clark County Library District
Mark Litwin
MGM Voice Foundation
Michael Angelo Co.
Nevada State Bank
Project Dinner Table
Richard A. Ditton
Superior Letterpress
Timothy & Denise Cashman
Tire Works
Vegaswood Industries
The Museum could not function without the
support of concerned, involved volunteers
including the Board of Directors, the Dinosaur
Ball Committee, and the docents who give
tours to thousands of children each year. In
2010, dedicated Museum volunteers served a
total of 4,500 hours.
The Museum is especially grateful to the
volunteers who served 100 hours or more:
22
23