About The Mob Museum
The Mob Museum, the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, is a world-class destination in downtown Las Vegas. It presents an exciting and authentic view of the mob’s impact on Las Vegas history and its unique imprint on America and the world. With tales so intriguing they need no embellishment, The Mob Museum reveals an insider’s look at the events and people on both sides of this continuing battle between organized crime and law enforcement. True stories of mob history are brought to life in a bold and contemporary style via engaging exhibits and multi-sensory experiences. The Mob Museum puts the visitor in the middle of the action through high-tech theater presentations, iconic one-of-a-kind artifacts and interactive, themed environments.
Opening Date
The Mob Museum opened to the public on February 14, 2012 – the 83rd anniversary of the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre, one of the most infamous days in Mob history in which seven men from the Bugs Moran gang were murdered by Al Capone’s South Side gang. The date is also significant given that the Museum has acquired the brick wall from the Massacre – one of the Mob’s most iconic artifacts.
Hours and Admission
Admission is $18 for adults ages 18 and over; $12 for children ages 5 to 17 and students ages 18 to 23 with ID; $14 for seniors, military, law enforcement and teachers; and $10 for Nevada residents of all ages. Museum hours are Sundays through Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Fridays and Saturdays 10 a.m. until 8 p.m.
The Inside Story
The Mob Museum features a variety of interactive exhibits, films and high-tech audio visual displays that will be updated to reflect new information and acquisitions. Exhibits examine in great depth such topics as how organized crime persists today; how the mob is perceived and portrayed in pop culture; how the battle against the Mob was fought with focus on important historic and law enforcement victories; an examination of mob violence, corruption, conspiracy and murder; notable mobsters and mob busters; an in-depth look at Las Vegas as the ultimate “open city” that attracted mobsters and how organized crime operated “the skim” inside casinos; and a historic timeline on the birth and evolution of organized crime with a look at its geographic “families” from around the globe. The centerpiece exhibit of The Museum is the courtroom where the proceedings of the United States Senate Special Committee to Investigate Crime in Interstate Commerce occurred in Las Vegas in 1950. Led by U.S. Senator Estes Kefauver, the hearings sought to expose and control organized crime.
Location and Building History
The Museum is located at 300 Stewart Avenue in the heart of downtown Las Vegas in what many consider the ultimate artifact, the former federal courthouse and United States Post Office. Completed in 1933 and listed on the Nevada and National Registers of Historic Places, it was one of the 14 courthouses in the nation to hold the Kefauver Committee hearings on organized crime. It is also the very courtroom where Museum visionary and former Las Vegas Mayor, Oscar B. Goodman, defended many mobsters as organized crime’s go-to defense attorney. Meticulously rehabilitated to its original beauty, the building is significant not only for its neo-classical architecture reminiscent of the period in which it was built, but also for the historic events that unfolded inside of it. The 41,000-square-foot Mob Museum includes approximately 17,000 square feet of exhibition space on three floors in addition to a specialty retail store, special event areas, educational areas and office space.
All in the Family… and the Feds
Artifacts integrated throughout the Museum’s interactive exhibits provide an insider’s look into many of organized crime’s biggest names, including, Alphonse Capone, Dion O’Bannion, George Moran, Charlie “Lucky” Luciano, Meyer Lansky, Ben Siegel, Sam Giancana, Joe Bonanno, Frank “Lefty” Rosenthal, Mickey Cohen, Tony Spilotro, John Gotti and Whitey Bulger. The Museum is also working with the FBI and many famous undercover agents who made a career of fighting the Mob, including legendary agent Joe Pistone who infiltrated the Mob posing as a small time jewel thief, Donnie Brasco; and Cuban-born Jack Garcia who successfully ingrained himself into the Gambino family. Items and artifacts relating to law enforcement’s role in helping to eradicate and control the Mob, such as weapons and wiretapping tools, and crime scene photos, are also a part of The Mob Museum experience.
World-Class Design and Creative Team
The Mob Museum is designed by a best in class team known for other successful museums that serve to reinvigorate communities and neighborhoods, including the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio and the International Spy Museum in Washington, D.C. This highly experienced team of staff, board members and consultants are working together to create one of the city’s major attractions and a must-see for millions of tourists and locals alike.
The Mob Museum has a topnotch group of film-makers, exhibit designers and fabricators and interactive and digital media firms to round out the team. The Museum puts the visitor in the middle of the action through high-tech theater presentations, iconic one-of-a-kind artifacts and interactive, themed environments.
Board of Directors
The Mob Museum boasts a highly respected board of directors including professionals from local and state government, law enforcement, the judicial system, media and the business community. The 501 (c) 3 non-profit governing board is headed by Ellen Knowlton, former FBI Special Agent in Charge, Las Vegas Division, and a 24-year FBI veteran. A key Mob Museum visionary is board member and previous Las Vegas Mayor Oscar B. Goodman, who once made a name for himself representing such reputed mobsters as Meyer Lansky, Frank “Lefty” Rosenthal, and Anthony Spilotro among others.
Funding
A $42 million construction project, The Museum was funded by the city of Las Vegas and nearly $9 million in historic preservation grants – including federal, state and local.
Contact Us:
Marketing and Public Relations:
Ceres Hill, Marketing Director
702-229-2711; cereshill@themobmuseum.org
Sales and Special Events:
Maria Sawyer, Sales Director
702-229-2713; msawyer@themobmuseum.org
Follow Us
For more information and photos, visit the media section at www.themobmuseum.org. Connect with us on Facebook: www.facebook.com/themobmuseum and on Twitter: @TheMobMuseum.
