OPENING FEBRUARY 14, 2012
The Mob Museum, The National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement™, is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit dedicated to the history of organized crime and law enforcement. It was designed by a world-class team known for other highly successful museums that reinvigorated communities, including the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland and the International Spy Museum in Washington, D.C. The Mob Museum showcases the real stories and actual events of Mob history through interactive and engaging exhibits that reveal both sides of this fascinating story.
THE PROPERTY
The 41,000-square-foot Mob Museum includes approximately 17,000 square feet of exhibition space on three floors within the historic former federal courthouse and U.S. Post Office building where one of the 14 Kefauver Hearings on organized crime was held in 1950.
LEADERSHIP
The Mob Museum board of directors is headed by President Ellen Knowlton, former FBI Special Agent in Charge, Las Vegas Division, and a 24-year FBI veteran. Members of the board of directors include highly respected professionals from local and state government, law enforcement, the judicial system, media and the business community. Many of these individuals have first-hand knowledge of organized crime and its impact on Las Vegas and society.
HISTORIC PRESERVATION
The Mob Museum is located 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, the building was meticulously rehabilitated and 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 Museum will accurately depict Mob history, dispel the legendary “myth of the Mob,” and provide detail on the significant role of law enforcement in ending the Mob’s reign in Las Vegas and elsewhere in America.
All in the Family… and the Feds
Artifacts to be 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 agents 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.
In addition, items and artifacts relating to law enforcement’s role in helping to eradicate and control the Mob, such as weapons, wiretapping tools and tactics and crime scene photos, will also be shown. The Mob Museum is a modern-day museum and offers highly experiential and interactive experiences. 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 materials. For example, visitors can “shoot” a simulated tommy gun, listen to real FBI surveillance tapes on wiretapping equipment and take part in FBI weapons training.
FUNDING
A $42 million construction project, The Museum is funded by the city of Las Vegas and nearly $9 million in historic preservation grants – including federal, state and local.
ECONOMIC IMPACT
As a key player in the $4 billion downtown redevelopment, The Mob Museum is expected to create more than 13,000 jobs in the area. The Museum will bring in hundreds of thousands of visitors to the area and is expected to generate $20.2 million in total economic output over 10 years.
