Hoover Dam Museum, Boulder City

The museum's permanent exhibit delves into the lives of the men and women who constructed Hoover Dam and established Boulder City during the Great Depression. Through photographs, artifacts, and oral histories, visitors gain insight into the project's complexity, dangers, and the social and economic forces of the era. This exhibit paints a vivid picture of the challenges faced by those who braved the desolate Nevada desert to bring this monumental project to fruition.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Boulder Dam Hotel offers an authentic historical experience. Built in 1933 to accommodate officials and visitors to the Hoover Dam construction project, the hotel features original masonry, gum wood paneling, and chandeliers. Today, it continues to serve as a hub for tourists and locals alike, providing a glimpse into the past while supporting the museum's exhibits and programs.

Located on Avenue C, the Teddy Fenton House was one of the first single-family homes constructed by Six Companies for their employees. According to the Nevada State Historic Preservation Office, this house "retains its original form and massing, and most of the historic fabric retains its integrity of location, design, feeling, association, and setting." Plans are underway to rehabilitate this historically significant structure and apply for listing on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Boulder City Museum and Historical Association has produced an audio walking tour of the Boulder City Historic District. Tourists can now use their smartphones to listen to historical information at each of the 11 stops along a route through historic Boulder City. This self-guided tour expands the museum’s vision and educational objectives to the broader community, offering a deeper understanding of the town's rich history.

The museum offers a range of educational programs designed to accommodate students of all ages. These include supervised visits to the Children’s Activity Room, off-site programs, and guided tours of the permanent exhibit. All programs provide a historical and social context for the construction of the Hoover Dam and the founding of Boulder City, enriching the learning experience for young minds.

The museum's archives are housed on the ground level of the Boulder Dam Hotel, accessible to researchers for various purposes. Recognized as national treasures by Save America’s Treasures and the National Park Service, the collections include over 13,000 photographs, more than 9,000 biographical and subject files, a 600-book research library, and over 3,500 three-dimensional artifacts. These materials serve as invaluable resources for scholars and enthusiasts alike, preserving the history of the Hoover Dam and Boulder City.