Nevada State Museum Showcases 1940s Las Vegas Photos from New Deal Program

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The Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas is hosting an exhibition featuring 35 photographs of Las Vegas and the surrounding area from the 1940 publication "Nevada: A Guide to the Silver State." The images were captured by government photographer Arthur Rothstein as part of the Works Progress Administration's Federal Writers' Project under President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal. The exhibition combines Rothstein's photographs with objects from the museum's collection to provide a window into Nevada's history during this pivotal era.

Why it matters

The New Deal programs of the 1930s and 1940s had a significant impact on the development of the American West, including Nevada. This exhibition offers a unique opportunity for the public to see rare historical photographs that document the changing landscape and culture of Las Vegas during this transformative period.

The details

The 35 photographs on display were originally published in the 1940 guidebook "Nevada: A Guide to the Silver State," which was a culmination of the WPA's Federal Writers' Project. Photographer Arthur Rothstein captured the images on assignment for the Federal Farm Security Administration. The exhibition pairs these iconic photographs with objects from the Nevada State Museum's extensive historical collection to provide additional context about Nevada's history in the early 20th century.

• The exhibition opened on February 4, 2026 and will run through February 9, 2026.
• The photographs were originally taken by Arthur Rothstein in the spring of 1940.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The museum plans to host a panel discussion with historians and photography experts to further explore the significance of the New Deal-era photographs and their impact on the development of the American West.