In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, the Nevada State Museum Las Vegas is unveiling its first fully bilingual exhibit and tipping its cap to Spanish-speaking entertainers who have played a vital role in Las Vegas history.
"Latin Legends” is a photo exhibit and a collaboration among the museum, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority Las Vegas News Bureau and the Friends of the Nevada State Museum Las Vegas. It will open Aug. 17 and be in place Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 in recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month.
Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the heritage and culture of Hispanic and Latino Americans in the United States. The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded to a month-long celebration by President Ronald Reagan in 1988.
The texts that accompany each photograph in the exhibit will be in both English and Spanish – a practice the museum plans to extend to all its Changing Gallery exhibits moving forward.
“Providing museum texts in Spanish makes our museum exhibit accessible to more people and continues to strengthen and endorse the museum’s goal to inspire and educate a wider audience,” said Museum Director Dennis McBride.
Volunteers with the Friends of Nevada State Museum worked with News Bureau and museum staff to identify the chosen entertainers and select the photographs from the News Bureau’s extensive archives. UNLV graduate student Jorge Llontop created the design for the exhibit.
The Nevada State Museum Las Vegas is located at 309 S. Valley View Boulevard on the Springs Preserve campus. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.
