What is the Neon Museum Las Vegas? Let’s start with a bit of a backdrop. In the early 90s, neon-lit signs spread throughout the United States. By 1930, Las Vegas was also influenced, and its signs became much more pronounced. Due to the construction of the Hoover Dam, which generated electricity, there was enough light to power neon signs.
The neon signs defined buildings in Las Vegas and made them stand out. Anyone could easily tell which place was a diner or a casino. And as competition increased, casinos began to increase the size of their neon signs. The old Las Vegas casinos were spectacular, with the Stardust neon sign, the Hard Rock guitar, and the La Concha Motel’s neon shell.
Sadly, the passing of time didn’t favor neon signs in Las Vegas. In a bid to stand out, operators focused more on architecture. They became the “neon signs,” taking away the Strip’s and the downtown’s highlights.
However, in a slightly different take on the saying, “What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas,” the iconic vintage signs have thus been preserved thanks to the establishment of the Neon Museum in Las Vegas.
In this Vegas Aces Casino news, learn about the creation of the Neon Museum in Las Vegas, which has now become a cultural gem preserving the city’s vibrant history.
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The Neon Museum Las Vegas: Where History Lives
The Neon Museum Las Vegas was established in 1996 to preserve and celebrate the rich history of Las Vegas neon signage. Since then, it has grown to become a world-class museum with a collection of over 800 signs. The museum tells the rich story of Las Vegas through the neon signs that beautified its casinos and hotels for decades.
The neon museum is located north of Fremont Street on 2.62 acres in the Las Vegas Cultural Corridor Boulevard. The museum shines bright with its three main exhibits: The Neon Boneyard, Las Vegas Boulevard Median, and North Gallery.
The Neon Boneyard is the museum’s crown jewel. This outdoor exhibition space is home to many vintage signs, each with its unique design and story. The Main Boneyard houses the bulk of the museum’s collection. It contains a variety of iconic signs, including those from Hard Rock, Desert Inn, Riviera, Caesars Palace, Stardust, and Tropicana.
The boneyard is also home to the museum’s functioning restored signs and other unique pieces, like the Treasure Island Casino’s fiberglass skull. The North Gallery houses a 30-minute art installation called “Brilliant! ” This creative art display uses projectors to bring defunct signs back to life.
Rise from the Boneyard
Before it became what it is today, the Neon Museum Las Vegas was just a safe space for old Vegas neon signs. Young Electric Sign Company (YESCO) kept the signs in their boneyard, a dump site for unwanted items. Weather conditions destroyed these signs, and each became worse as time passed.
The historic Sands Hotel and Casino closed its doors and was sold off in the late 1990s. The casino had a giant 56-foot-tall “Sands” neon sign that was so big that there was no place to keep it. Ultimately, the sign was lost.
Losing the historical Sands’ sign hit hard and sparked action. A group of individuals from the private and public sectors saw the potential in the neglected neon signs and raised concerns. They came together with a vision to create a museum to preserve and display the signs’ rich history and cultural significance.
Thus, in 1996, the Neon Museum Las Vegas was born. YESCO promptly donated its signs, and through community support, the museum was able to repair and restore some of them.
Saving a Piece of History, One Sign at a Time
As old hotels, bars, and businesses were set to be updated or demolished, the Neon Museum stepped in to save a piece of history. That was all they could do until the moment of change came.
The Doumani family donated the historic La Concha Motel lobby. This stirred the public and private sectors to support the renovation, which needed about $3 million. Subsequently, the museum raised nearly $6.5 million to expand the facility and restore several major signs.
On October 27, 2012, the museum opened its doors to tourists and locals, marking a significant milestone in its journey. As the museum’s popularity soared in 2016, it moved its headquarters to the old City Hall and, in 2017, purchased new land for its first physical expansion.
In 2018, Ne10 Studio was opened. This space allowed the museum to expand its offerings and reach a wider audience.
Recent Projects and Future Plans for the Museum
The Neon Museum Las Vegas plans to relocate and expand its operations from Fremont Street and open in the Art District by 2027. A 60,000-square-foot parking garage rooftop will host the famed “neon boneyard,” while a 47,000-square-foot ninth floor will feature an enclosed exhibition space.
According to Aaron Berger, the museum director, this new, larger location aims to address capacity limitations. They would be able to host over 200,000 visitors annually.
In a Bit of a Nutshell
The Neon Museum Las Vegas is an establishment with a valuable history that displays artistic and historical neon signs in Vegas. Without it, the neon era would only be seen in history books. The massive increase in visitor numbers speaks volumes of the museum’s importance in the city.
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