wonderful things. - Las Vegas Natural History Museum

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.
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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.
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