Silver State National Peace Officers Museum
Silver State National Peace Officers Museum, Virginia City: Hours, Address, Silver State National Peace Officers Museum Reviews: 4.5/5
Silver State National Peace Officers Museum
Silver State National Peace Officers Museum
4.5
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
There is no other like it, anywhere! The museum, established inside the 1876 jail, features the finest and largest US law enforcement historical collection known. There is something for everyone with a kids station, old time photo opportunities, hall of history with artifacts dating back to 1714, and a wonderful museum store. The memorial room provides a place to reflect on the risks of the profession. There truly is no other like it. We have the largest collection of law enforcement history and our docents are from the law enforcement profession! Admission is only $5.00 with special discounts for teens and children under 12 are free with accompanying adult. WE ARE JUST ONE BLOCK ABOVE VIRGINIA CITY'S MAIN STREET, INSIDE THE HISTORIC COURTHOUSE.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
42 reviews
Excellent
32
Very good
8
Average
1
Poor
1
Terrible
0
MSWMom50
Modesto, California2,146 contributions
Couples
My husband and I visited here last weekend while staying several days in Virginia City. This small museum is housed next door to the old courthouse and in the old jail, an interesting location. The collection of police memorabilia was gathered together by a police chief from the Berkeley area over the course of some years. We were told by a friendly docent, that the museum is only able to display about 25% of the collection due to thousands of available pieces. The collection includes anything related to law enforcement work with badges from many different states, news articles, photographs, movie memorabilia, weaponry, uniforms, ledgers, books, magazines.....the list goes on. The pieces are kept in glass cases and constitute a fairly amazing collection. Some of the displays are in the old jail cells, including a cell available for children to try on uniforms and play with a simulator. Keystone cop uniforms are hanging on a peg and you can try one on and take your picture against a historic backdrop. I found one of the cells fascinating as it featured old paintings drawn on the wall by an inmate. Ask the docent for the story of the paintings as the artist was a famous character in the history of this jail. A death mask of John Dillinger is featured here as well as news articles, photos of how he was caught. There is a small gift shop with a few souvenirs such as shirts, hats, cups, badges, pins, etc. This is a great attraction, not to be missed due to the unique collection. You can probably spend an hour here or more, depending on how much time you want to spend viewing and reading about all of the items. I believe the cost for the museum was about $5.00. If you are ever in the area or want to make a trip to Virginia City, include this in your plans. My husband said this was his favorite attraction during our stay here!
Written July 4, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
MtnMommaCreations
South Lake Tahoe, CA89 contributions
Friends
This is a very interesting museum considering it is where they held Virginia City criminals up til the 1980's. here is a lot of neat historical things to look at there. It is only $5.00 to get into the museum. Very sad though because they have closed for lack of funding and interest.
Written May 27, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Mike G
South San Francisco, CA11 contributions
Upon entering, we were greeted by the man at the counter. He gave us some highlights of the museum to be conscious of seeing. This helped as we soon become overwhelmed at the sheer volume of material in a small "city" museum, We saw items from John Dillinger, the Son of Sam and inmates from Alcatraz. I don't know how they collected all these items (well I do know they come from the collection of one peace officer from Virginia City) but how he collected these is beyond comprehension. More police badges than I've seen in a lifetime (including a solid gold badge). Must see to believe.
Written July 11, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Siena21
Sparks, NV6 contributions
Friends
The museum is dedicated to showing the history of law enforcement in Nevada but also reflects the area's unique character. There are some very interesting artifacts and memorabilia to view and the curators are always ready to answer questions and elaborate. This museum is a welcome addition to some of the less credible (and silly) attractions in Virginia City. A great place to visit that is informative and educational. If you can come on parade day in May, it's crowded but even more fun! Like everything in Storey County, the museum is underfunded and always struggling to stay open. If you visit, please donate!
Written May 6, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Stacy F
Virginia City, NV708 contributions
Couples
We popped in while renewing a car registration and what a nice little find! There is alot of history packed into a small space.
This is actually called the Slammer museum and replaces the old museum, I think.
There are some great artifacts, many photos and the coolest safe inside a safe, inside a safe!
Worth a visit if you are in Virginia City, NV!
This is actually called the Slammer museum and replaces the old museum, I think.
There are some great artifacts, many photos and the coolest safe inside a safe, inside a safe!
Worth a visit if you are in Virginia City, NV!
Written September 24, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
1947-FORD
Auburn, CA148 contributions
Family
Due to a lack of support, this museum has closed it's doors.
The public in general and large institutions must support historical ventures or they will all disappear.
The public in general and large institutions must support historical ventures or they will all disappear.
Written August 20, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Larry W
Virginia City, NV42 contributions
Friends
One of the few complete museums about the history of Law Enforcement. Unfortunately it had to close. I always enjoyed looking into the past eras, but this era too has ended.
Written May 3, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
midnight_Kim
New York61 contributions
Friends
A fully uniformed officer from who knows how many decades past "arrested" us as we wandered by and our bail cost $5 (also known as an entrance fee).
This museum had a ton of authentic memorabilia from various police departments across the country and throughout history. It's a fun place to learn more police and famous criminals and see the type of equipment they used in the past. Read original letters and see different types of badges and guns and handcuffs and uniforms. The list goes on and on. Plenty of photo ops in the jail cells.
It's also a place to go to remember and commemorate a police officer you know who has been lost.
Definitely worth the "bail money." Good place to bring kids I would say, if they don't run around and touch everything. I'd put it on the list when you visit Virginia City!
This museum had a ton of authentic memorabilia from various police departments across the country and throughout history. It's a fun place to learn more police and famous criminals and see the type of equipment they used in the past. Read original letters and see different types of badges and guns and handcuffs and uniforms. The list goes on and on. Plenty of photo ops in the jail cells.
It's also a place to go to remember and commemorate a police officer you know who has been lost.
Definitely worth the "bail money." Good place to bring kids I would say, if they don't run around and touch everything. I'd put it on the list when you visit Virginia City!
Written September 13, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Highlander022
Scotland361 contributions
Couples
An interesting and eclectic mix of law enforcement memorabilia and photographs with exhibits from across the country. Some strange, some interesting and some poignant for officers killed and injured in the line of duty. Allow plenty of time to wander round and read the notes associated with the exhibits.
Written August 25, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
madstal
89 contributions
Couples
Just up the hill a block from downtown, located on the right side of the big old Court house building. $5 admission and well worth it just for the pic ops to have your photo in a cell and dress up as a keystone cop. Neat displays and knowledgeable staff. If police or bad guys are a thing you are interested in - well worth the stop.
Written May 27, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Silver State National Peace Officers Museum
- Silver State National Peace Officers Museum is open:
- Sun - Sat 11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
- Hotels near Silver State National Peace Officers Museum:
- (0.03 mi) The Cobb Mansion
- (0.06 mi) Silver Queen Hotel
- (0.15 mi) Tahoe House Hotel
- (0.08 mi) B Street House Bed and Breakfast
- (0.16 mi) Silverland Inn & Suites
- Restaurants near Silver State National Peace Officers Museum:
- (0.04 mi) Sawdust Corner
- (0.10 mi) Red Dog Saloon
- (0.05 mi) Palace Saloon & Restaurant
- (0.09 mi) The Roasting House
- (0.06 mi) Grandma's Fudge Factory