Children's Museum of Northern Nevada

The Children's Museum of Northern Nevada opened in 1994 in the Civic Auditorium building in Carson City. This historic building was constructed in 1939 as part of a federal Public Works Administration (PWA) project. The PWA was sponsored by the federal government during the Great Depression era as part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal. The PWA aimed to provide jobs for those unemployed during the Depression and also fund the construction of new public facilities for the benefit of local communities across the U.S.

The Civic Auditorium building was designed by the architect Lehman H. Ferris in the Romanesque Revival architectural style. Known for its heavy, fortress-like brick walls and rounded arches above doorways and windows, this style was favored by Nevada architects during the interwar period (between World War I and World War II). The historical integrity of the building remains intact to this day, having undergone few alterations over the years. The property was added to the National Register of Historic Places on June 19, 1990.

A few years later, the Children's Museum opened in this building. Featuring hands-on, interactive exhibits for children and families, these learning experiences were designed in accordance with the Nevada State Teaching Standards. In addition to exhibits, the museum features several programs that emphasize the arts, sciences, history, and humanities. These include an introduction to Astronomy through the museum's StarLab portable planetarium, and a children's sign language class. The museum also holds an annual Chinese New Year Celebration, featuring dance and theatrical productions. All activities, exhibits, and programs are designed to foster imagination and creativity.

Children's Museum of Northern Nevada, CMNN. Accessed May 21st 2021. https://www.cmnn.org/.

Carson City Civic Auditorium, Noe Hill. Accessed May 21st 2021. https://noehill.com/nv_carson_city/nat1990000912.asp.

Children's Museum of Northern Nevada, Travel Nevada. Accessed May 21st 2021. https://travelnevada.com/childrens-museums/childrens-museum-of-northern-nevada/.