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W. M. Keck Museum Mackay

4.7
·89 reviews·Reno, United States

Discover Nevada's rich mining heritage at the free W. M. Keck Museum, showcasing minerals, fossils, and historic relics.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Saturday afternoons

Less crowded, more relaxed

CrowdLow
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We are still using our 1908 cases and space.

W. M. Keck Museum Mackay

Best Time

Saturday afternoons

Less crowded, more relaxed

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Discover Nevada's rich mining heritage at the free W. M. Keck Museum, showcasing minerals, fossils, and historic relics.

4.7
(89 reviews)

"This place is seriously cool, tons of minerals from around the world, and the Mackay family’s silver collection is a total highlight."

Vertical photo
TIP

🎯 Look for the Statue

The museum is behind the MacKay statue on campus. :world_map:

⏰ Allow 1-2 Hours

Give yourself ample time to explore the detailed exhibits. 🕐

Third hero image

Quick Facts

Hours

Rating

4.7 · 89 reviews

Type

Museum

👶 Good for kids♿ Wheelchair accessible🅿️ Accessible parking🚻 Accessible restroom

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Mackay Silver Collection

Mackay Silver Collection

Mackay School of Mines

Marvel at the stunning silver collection belonging to the historic Mackay family.

Reddit
3D West End Mine Model

3D West End Mine Model

Mackay School of Mines

See an impressive 3D model of the West End mine, offering a unique perspective on underground operations.

Reddit
Giant Blister Copper Ingot

Giant Blister Copper Ingot

Mackay School of Mines

Experience the sheer scale of mining history with a massive, touchable blister copper ingot.

Reddit
Nevada Topo Map

Nevada Topo Map

Mackay School of Mines

Explore a towering 10-foot topo map of Nevada, frozen in time with historical place names.

Reddit
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Planning Your Visit

Finding the Museum

The W. M. Keck Museum is located within the Mackay School of Mines building on the University of Nevada, Reno campus. It's often described as 'hidden' or 'hard to find,' so look for the John William MacKay statue at the end of the quad; the museum is directly behind it. Reddit

Time to Explore

Plan for 1-2 hours to fully appreciate the exhibits. Visitors rave about the abundance of physical artifacts, including a 3D mine model and a giant blister copper ingot you can touch. Reddit

Best Times

When
Saturday afternoons
Why
Less crowded, more relaxed
Crowd
Low
When
Weekday mornings
Why
Quiet exploration
Crowd
Low

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

Come check out the Keck Museum! Truly one of Nevada’s best natural history museums #history #earth #museum #education #fyp
@unrsharedhistory
15 likes • 1.9K views

🎯 Look for the Statue

The museum is behind the MacKay statue on campus. Reddit :world_map:

⏰ Allow 1-2 Hours

Give yourself ample time to explore the detailed exhibits. Reddit 🕐

📍 W.M. Keck Earth Science & Mineral Engineering Museum While I was attending the @miningamerica Annual Meeting last week, you know I had to take an afternoon to check out the Mackay School of Mines @keck.museum ! I always love checking out the mineral museums on campus, and this one did not disappoint. Wait until you see the full video on the Mackay Silver Service 😍😍 What campus museum should I...
minelifemediallc
48 likes • 0 views
Tune in February 01 for a special announcement! #minerals #geology #miningengineering #mininghistory #mining #nevada #nevadamining #fossils #paleontology
keck.museum
32 likes • 0 views

💰 It's Free!

Enjoy this incredible collection without any admission fee. Reddit :moneywithwings:

🤝 Touch the Artifacts

Many exhibits, like the copper ingot, are meant to be touched! Reddit :handpointingright:

We hope everybody is enjoying their Friday! Today we are highlighting a new set of objects donated to the Keck Museum earlier this year. No, we didn’t forget to flip these pictures! These objects are printing plates of maps related to mining. These plates were made around the 1940s and most of them seem to be related to cinnabar mining.  These plates would have been used in printing presses to pri...
keck.museum
25 likes • 0 views

Tips

from all over the internet

🎯 Look for the Statue

The museum is behind the MacKay statue on campus. Reddit :world_map:

⏰ Allow 1-2 Hours

Give yourself ample time to explore the detailed exhibits. Reddit 🕐

💰 It's Free!

Enjoy this incredible collection without any admission fee. Reddit :moneywithwings:

🤝 Touch the Artifacts

Many exhibits, like the copper ingot, are meant to be touched! Reddit :handpointingright:

📚 Explore Beyond Rocks

Discover mining history, maps, and fascinating relics. TikTok 📚

What Travellers Say

4.7
(89 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors consistently praise the W. M. Keck Museum for its impressive collection of minerals, ores, and historical mining artifacts, especially the Mackay silver collection and interactive exhibits. Many highlight its free admission and educational value, though some note it can be tricky to find on the UNR campus.

"Amazing exhibit. I am not even that fascinated by rocks and found myself caught up in the informational displays. Make sure to to give yourself about 1 to 2 hours. It is found in the building behind the statue of John William MacKay. I say this because there's no indication of the exhibit from the outside it seems to be a library."

Heather Jones

"Phenomenal Museum to see extraordinary rocks, minerals, gold & silver ore, Comstock Load Rare Tiffany Silver, and more. We really loved it here and highly recommend!"

Greg Arbutine

"This place is seriously cool, tons of minerals from around the world, and the Mackay family’s silver collection is a total highlight. It's free to check out, which is always a win.
You'll find it right on the University of Nevada, Reno campus.
Definitely worth a visit if you're into nature, history, or just cool stuff."

Harry Nelson

What People Like

Impressive mineral collection
Mackay silver display
Free admission

What People Dislike

Difficult to locate

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

The museum is located in the Mackay School of Mines building. Look for the statue of John William MacKay at the end of the Quad; the museum is directly behind it. Reddit It's described as being 'hard to find' by some visitors, so keep an eye out for the building and its plaque. Reddit

Parking is available in various lots and garages on the University of Nevada, Reno campus. Check the UNR parking services website for current rates and locations. TikTok

Yes, the RTC Washoe operates bus routes that serve the University of Nevada, Reno campus. Check the RTC Washoe website for routes and schedules. TikTok

The Mackay School of Mines building is generally accessible. It's recommended to contact the museum directly for specific accessibility information regarding exhibits and facilities. Instagram

Using a campus map or a GPS app is helpful. The museum's location behind the MacKay statue is a key landmark. Reddit

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

Admission to the W. M. Keck Museum is completely free! InstagramReddit This makes it an excellent budget-friendly option for exploring natural history and mining heritage. Reddit

The museum is typically open on Saturdays from 12 pm to 4 pm. Instagram Summer hours may vary, so it's always a good idea to check their official website or social media for the most up-to-date information. Instagram

No, advance booking is not required as admission is free. You can typically walk in during their operating hours. Instagram

The museum occasionally posts special announcements and highlights items from its collection on its social media channels. Instagram+1

Hours may be limited or the museum may be closed during university breaks and holidays. It's best to confirm their schedule before your visit. Instagram

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

You'll find an impressive collection of minerals, ores, fossils, historic mining relics, and photographs. InstagramReddit Highlights include the Mackay silver collection, a 3D mine model, and a giant blister copper ingot. Reddit

Yes, the museum offers engaging exhibits that can captivate visitors of all ages, including children. The hands-on elements like touching the copper ingot are particularly fun. TikTokReddit

Most visitors spend between 1 to 2 hours exploring the museum's diverse displays. Reddit

Absolutely! You can touch a giant blister copper ingot and explore a detailed 3D model of the West End mine. Reddit

This refers to a special collection of silver artifacts from the historic Comstock Lode, some of which were crafted by Tiffany & Co., showcasing the region's rich mining history. Reddit

📸 📸 Photography

Photography is generally allowed for personal use inside the museum. Instagram It's always a good idea to check for any specific signage regarding photography restrictions for certain exhibits. Instagram

The vibrant mineral displays, the Mackay silver collection, and the large-scale models like the 3D mine and the Nevada topo map offer great photographic opportunities. Reddit

While not explicitly stated, it's common museum etiquette to avoid using flash photography, especially with delicate artifacts. Instagram

The museum has a mix of ambient and display lighting. Some areas might be dimmer, so a camera with good low-light performance or a tripod might be helpful for capturing detailed shots. Instagram

The main exhibit halls with the mineral collections and the large topographical map are excellent spots. The area around the Mackay silver collection also provides stunning visuals. Reddit

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