On October 31, 1864, the Silver State was admitted into the Union; ever since, we have been celebrating Nevada Day on, or close to, that date.
Our Someone 2 Know this week, Myron Freedman, is the director of the Nevada State Museum - an expert, of sorts, on our state history.
We spent some time getting to know him at his post in Carson City.
The Nevada State Museum is filled with fun, captivating exhibits. Like the Silver State's original coin press that opened in 1870. It still works! Freedman fires up the big machine to demonstrate, then shows us a bright, shiny coin on his white-gloved hand.
"This is what we just minted. This is the Battle Born medallion"
The coin press and other creative displays at this museum made a big impression on the boy that would one day become its director; "It is the first museum I remember visiting,” recalls Myron, “ I remember the mine - going through the mine exhibit”.
Walk through the ghost town filled with authentic artifacts and you'll reach the secret entrance to the mine - that still captivates students to this day.
"It's a little scary; I think that's why they like it,” smiles Freedman.
It was created by mining professionals in the 1950's, demonstrating innovative techniques developed on the Comstock Lode; "and that really informed my approach to developing museum exhibits to really involve the visitor that touched on different senses".
Freedman began studying theatre in his youth and has performed on stage his whole life, including during his college days at UNR. Myron says that background helps him create an immersive experience at the museum.
"Being trained in the theatre really set me up to look at history in a way that was dramatic, that found the comedy - that found the drama". Like the exhibit of the mammoth -that met its demise, trapped in the mud. Telling part of what freedman calls Nevada’s “adventure story”.
"Those are the things people connect with when they go through museum exhibits".
Freedman's goal now is to incorporate displays that reflect the Silver State's past and current diverse population; "To help us create new stories because the future will be informed by their perspectives".
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The Nevada State Museum is open Tuesdays – Sundays
Museum Hours
8:30am - 4:30pm
Store Hours
8:30am - 4:30pm
$8 Adults
Free children 17 and younger.
Location
600 N. Carson Street
Carson City, NV 89701
Located in downtown Carson City, catty-corner from the Carson Nugget.
For a link to their website, click below –
