General Release

THE MOB MUSEUM OPEN IN DOWNTOWN LAS VEGAS

National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement housed in one of Las Vegas’ most historic buildings

(LAS VEGAS) – There are two sides to every story – and then there’s the truth. The Mob Museum, the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, is a world-class destination in downtown Las Vegas that presents an exciting and authentic view of the Mob’s impact on Las Vegas history and its unique imprint on the world. The Mob Museum is a world-renowned, award-winning, must-see destination in Las Vegas, attracting millions of visitors hailing from all 50 states and nearly 35 countries in its over five years of operation.

With tales so intriguing they need no embellishment, the Museum reveals an insider’s look at the events and people on both sides of this continuing battle. 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, one-of-a-kind artifacts and interactive, themed environments.

The Museum has acquired some of the most iconic artifacts in Mob history including the brick wall from the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre in Chicago in 1929. The Museum opened on Valentine’s Day 2012, the 83rd anniversary of the massacre where seven men affiliated with Bugs Moran’s gang were lined up along the wall, shot and killed by Al Capone’s South Side Italian gang.

In 2018, The Mob Museum completed its first major renovation, which includes two floors of brand-new exhibition spaces. The Prohibition-era exhibition, The Underground, is located in the Museum’s basement. Guests to The Underground are surrounded by artifacts and stories from the era while they learn about rum running and bootlegging in the working distillery and enjoy Roaring ’20s cocktails in the speakeasy. On the first floor, Organized Crime Today focuses on the modernization and evolution of organized crime in the present day. The Firearm Training Simulator and Crime Lab Experience join the Museum’s already robust experiential platform and focus on methods employed by law enforcement to apprehend and prosecute criminals and their organizations. This represents the first phase of the Museum’s largest capital improvement project since opening on February 14, 2012. Total cost of the renovation was $9 million.

Artifacts integrated throughout the Museum’s interactive exhibits provide an insider’s look into many of organized crime’s biggest names, including, Al Capone, Dion O’Bannion, George Moran, Charles “Lucky” Luciano, Meyer Lansky, Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel, Sam Giancana, Joe Bonanno, Frank Rosenthal, Mickey Cohen, Tony Cornero, Whitey Bulger and John Gotti to name just a few. Envisioned by former Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, constructing The Mob Museum enabled the City to rehabilitate and preserve the historic U.S. Post Office and federal courthouse, a building that is on the National Register of Historic Places with national significance as a result of being a site of the Kefauver Committee Hearings. One of the national U.S. Senate Kefauver Committee hearings, convened to expose organized crime in America, was held in the building’s courtroom on November 15, 1950. Completed in 1933, the building is a beautiful example of Depression Era, Neoclassical architecture reminiscent of the period in which it was built, but also for the historic events that unfolded inside of it.

In addition, items and artifacts relating to law enforcement’s role in helping to eradicate and control the Mob are shown. The Mob Museum is a modern-day museum and offers highly experiential and interactive exhibits. Fascinating stories are brought to life through one-of-a-kind artifacts, interactive touch screens and unique ways to engage with law enforcement and organized crime.

In 2017, The Mob Museum received accreditation from the American Alliance of Museums; the highest national recognition afforded U.S. museums. Of the nation’s estimated 35,000 museums, more than 1,000 are currently accredited.

THE AWARDS

  • A top 25 Museum in the U.S. – TripAdvisor
  • “Best Museum” by Desert Companion magazine
  • “Best Vegas History Lesson” by Las Vegas Weekly
  • One of Top Three Finalists in Best Wider World Project Award by Guild of British Travel Writers
  • “Best Museum” by Nevada Magazine‘s 2018, 2016, 2014, 2013 and 2012 Best of Nevada Readers’ Survey
  • “Best Place to Take Tourists” by Las Vegas Weekly‘s Readers’ Choice Awards
  • “Best Museum” by Las Vegas Review Journal 2014, 2013 and 2012
  • Certificate of Excellence, Trip Advisor, 2012, 2013 and 2014
  • “10 Incredible World Landmarks You Haven’t Seen – Yet!” by NBC News and Today Show
  • Top 10 Location for a Wedding by Destination I Do magazine
  • “Top 10 Places to Visit If You Only Have 36 Hours in Las Vegas” – New York Times
  • Top 10 Museums in Las Vegas – USA Today
  • One of the Top Permanent Exhibits in Las Vegas – CBS Las Vegas
  • “People Love Us on Yelp” award – Yelp.com
  • “Las Vegas Bucket List: Start Exploring Now” by Las Vegas Review-Journal
  • “9 Reasons to Visit Las Vegas” by CNNgo
  • “20 Places Every American Should See” by Fox News and Budget Travel Magazine
  • “Uncommon Travel Gem” by AAA’s Home & Away Magazine
  • “Best New Museum” by Seven Weekly Magazine’s 2012 Best of the City Awards

THE ACCOLADES
Many journalists have also hailed the Museum:

“The Mob Museum here packs a lot of punches – from Tommy guns, film clips, artifacts of real mobsters and a Hawaiian shirt worn by TV Mafioso Tony Soprano to part of the wall from the St. Valentine’s Day Massacre in Chicago, to interactive exhibits that clue you into casino scams and mobster trivia.” Kitty Bean Yancey, USA TODAY

“With artifacts, clever interactive displays, atmospheric exhibits and photographs and videos…we see how the Mob maneuvered into businesses of pleasure, not releasing its hold until late in the 20th century.” Ed Rothstein, New York Times

“The Museum, housed in the old courthouse in downtown Las Vegas, was worth every penny …” John Kass, Chicago Tribune

“The Mob Museum…in downtown Las Vegas is a treasure trove of artifacts and history on organized crime in America.” Ellen Creager, Detroit Free Press

“There’s a fun section on the Mob in popular culture, including movies that swung from romanticizing the Prohibition era gunslingers to FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover’s efforts to get Hollywood and even comic book publishers to glorify his ‘G-Men.’” Gary Warner, Orange County Register

“Missing The Mob Museum would be a crime.” NPR

THE GUESTS
The Mob Museum has attracted prominent guests from politics and law enforcement, organized crime and popular culture. Notable political and law enforcement guests include U.S. Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev.; Gov. Brian Sandoval, R.-Nev.; former Las Vegas Sheriff Ralph Lamb; Sen. Estes Kefauver’s daughters Diane and Lindsay Kefauver; IRS Criminal Investigation Chief Richard Weber; former undercover FBI agent Jack Garcia; Professor Robert Blakey; Judge Lloyd George; former FBI agent Dennis Arnoldy; and former Las Vegas Metro officer and author Debra Gauthier.

Organized crime figures and their family members that have visited the Museum include Henry Hill, Frank Culotta, Andrew DiDonato, Vinnie “The Animal” Ferrara, Tony Montana, Michael Franzese, Robert Sedway (son of Moe Sedway), Meyer Lansky II (grandson of Meyer Lansky), and others. In addition the Museum has attracted a wide array of pop culture figures such as actors Regina King, John Schneider, Danny Pudi, George Hamilton, Holly Madison and Richard Beltzar; sports figures professional boxer Floyd Mayweather, former Redskins Quarterback Joe Theismann, New York Knicks NBA Hall of Famer Walt Frazier, and boxing legend Mike Tyson; TV and film personalities Morgan Spurloch (30 Days, Supersize Me), Rick Dale (American Restoration), the cast of Pawn Stars, Jared & Brandi Passante (Storage Wars), Zak Bagans (Ghost Adventurers), TV Host Kary Correa (ESPN Desportes) and TV Host Adrianna Costa (EXTRA).

MISSION AND CORE VALUES
The Mob Museum’s mission is to advance the public understanding of organized crime’s history and impact on American society.  It is also guided by its five Core Values: Commitment to Community, Bold Thinking, People Driven, Taking Responsibility, and Thrive. Furthering its mission and Core Value principles, the Museum’s education outreach program was launched in January 2016, with the help of Centennial Commission funding and other partnerships.

THE MEMBERS
Members enjoy unlimited admission for an entire year, in addition to great benefits – including access to insider programs that offer unparalleled insights from subject experts. Members are also the first to receive information regarding special events, and enjoy special discounts on program tickets, concessions, and in the Museum’s retail store.  (To become a member, go to https://themobmuseum.org/get-involved/individual-membership/).

THE VOLUNTEERS
Volunteers at The Mob Museum serve in a variety of public and administrative roles including departmental interns, greeters and special event assistants. Volunteers are often the first member of The Mob Museum team that guests meet during their visit. Volunteering at The Mob Museum is perfect for everyone as there are shifts available seven days a week. Volunteers are recognized for their service through special Museum service hour pins, guest passes for family and friends, volunteer specific branded items and special event invitations. To find out more about becoming a volunteer visit our volunteer page.

ABOUT THE MOB MUSEUM
The Mob Museum is a world-class destination in downtown Las Vegas dedicated to the thrilling story of organized crime and law enforcement. It presents an exciting and authentic view of the Mob’s impact on Las Vegas history and its unique imprint on the world. True stories of Mob history are brought to life in a bold and contemporary style via engaging exhibits, high-tech theater presentations and hundreds of artifacts, the largest collection of Mob and related law enforcement memorabilia under one roof.

For more information, call (702) 229-2734 or visit www.themobmuseum.org. Connect on Facebook: www.facebook.com/themobmuseum and on Twitter: @TheMobMuseum.

For More Information

Ashley Miller, Vice President of Marketing, Communications & Sales
The Mob Museum 702-724-8612
amiller@themobmuseum.org