Sandoval announces expanded museum hours, sesquicentennial license plate

Nevada is getting another specialty license plate — this time, to celebrate the state’s upcoming 150th anniversary.

Gov. Brian Sandoval unveiled the new plate, with the help of daughter Marisa, on Wednesday at the railroad museum at the south end of Carson City after arriving for a news conference on the historic engine No. 27. It was in service on the Virginia & Truckee Railroad line from 1905 until it made the last run to Virginia City in 1938.

Proceeds from sales of the plate, Sandoval said, will support the sesquicentennial projects over the coming year.

Sandoval also announced that full museum hours are back, and he invited Nevadans to explore their state as part of the upcoming 150th anniversary of statehood.

Nevada’s museums have been on a reduced schedule for more than four years because of the state’s budget cuts.

“Starting today, we’re going to have extended access to our museums,” Sandoval said.

That includes free admission Saturday and again July 20. In addition, half-price train rides will be offered at the railroad museum both days. People 17 and younger are always admitted free to the museums.

Sandoval said reopening the museums is a key part of the state’s recovery.

He added that it’s an important part of the effort to encourage residents and tourists to celebrate Nevada’s sesquicentennial — the 150th anniversary of statehood, which will happen Oct. 31, 2014.

As part of the celebration, the Discover Your Nevada program is being renewed this year, he said. Sandoval said people are encouraged to nominate a “Nevada Treasure” — a special place they like to go, an event or experience — at TravelNevada.com/discover. Those ballots will be used to create a list of Nevada treasures for people to visit.

“Some of these places are very hard to get to, but once you’re there, you’re so happy that you’re there because it just reeks of Nevada,” he said.

Sandoval’s administration has planned a full year of events leading up to next October. The various museums plan special exhibits throughout the coming year, beginning this month.

Nevada has seven state museums, including the state museum and railroad museum in Carson City. The others are the Lost City Museum in Overton, East Ely Depot Museum, state museum in Las Vegas and Nevada Historical Society in Reno.