wonderful things. - Las Vegas Natural History Museum

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