The Mob Museum Las Vegas
The Mob Museum shares the history of organized crime and its impact on American society. Focusing on more than just the past, the museum also presents opportunities for discussing criminal justice in today’s world. Located near the Las Vegas Cultural Corridor, The museum just celebrated its tenth anniversary this past February.
Interview with the Director of Public Programs
Shakala Alvaranga, the Director of Public Programs at The Mob Museum, shared some history and insight about the museum. She also spoke about how the museum interacts with the community, how the pandemic impacted its operations and more.
“The Mob Museum, [a.k.a.] the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, opened its doors to the public on February 14, 2012. Our mission is to advance the public understanding of organized crime’s history and impact on American society,” Alvaranga said. “The Mob Museum is one of the few remaining historically significant structures in the city. The building originally housed the first U.S. Post Office and Courthouse in Las Vegas.”
Alvaranga joined the museum’s team in February 2020. Previously, she worked as a news reporter at 8 News Now (KLAS-TV) for four years.
“As Director of Public Programs, I oversee a dynamic public programming schedule at the museum. Our programs include Crime and Justice Series, Courtroom Conversations, Community Safety Forums, and other large-scale events,” she said. “My favorite part about working at The Mob Museum is being able to highlight important issues affecting our community. In addition, the museum offers a space for important dialogue and meaningful conversations.”
Impacting The Community
As part of its commitment to the community, The Mob Museum dedicates itself to promoting awareness, educating residents, and covering essential conversations about law enforcement concerns and safety issues facing the Las Vegas Valley. One way they accomplish this is through their periodic programs and educational opportunities.
“Following the death of George Floyd, we organized a three-part series called The Future of Policing,” Alvaranga shared. “This program won Leadership in History Awards from the American Association for State and Local History for its excellence in the collection, preservation, and interpretation of state and local history throughout America.”
She further explained that the program series offered a prescient preview of the 2021 Nevada legislative session.
“Police reform ideas that were first discussed publicly during our program series were debated in the state capital and later signed into law. Contemporary criminal justice programs allow community members to discuss ideas and brainstorm solutions,” she said. “The museum also provides a variety of educational opportunities for students and educators. From in-class and virtual presentations to field trips and summer camps, we encourage everyone to witness “The Power of Museums” wherever they may be.”
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Impacts of the Pandemic on The Mob Museum
Many small businesses and other places shut down in the early days of the pandemic, including The Mob Museum.
“Several museums were forced to temporarily close their doors at the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic in the interest of public health. This resulted in a massive revenue loss for many institutions, devastating the art sector and hundreds of small museums,” Alvaranga said. “The Mob Museum shut its doors for a month during 2020 and quickly adapted to the virtual world. Our monthly community safety forums shifted to an online program series.”
The Mob Museum also released a three-part virtual tour highlighting the museum’s most popular exhibitions and artifacts. Check out that series here.
“Once we reopened, museum leaders implemented new safety procedures and protocols to maximize guest, staff, and vendor safety. This included capacity management, social distancing, and HVAC updates,” Alvaranga added. “We also announced the addition of a hand sanitizer production operation to our distillery in The Underground.”
The Importance of Places Like The Mob Museum
When this interview was conducted in May, The Mob Museum was preparing to celebrate International Museum Day on May 18th. The purpose of this day is to raise awareness about the importance of museums. It also works to provide opportunities for people to explore and learn about different kinds of art and culture. On the matter of museums, Alvaranga expressed that they play a vital role in developing society and enriching culture.
“It is truly an honor to work inside of one,” she said. “These spaces allow us to study history and strengthen our national identity while analyzing complex issues in an ever-changing world.”
Alvaranga also shared that the museum’s theme for this year, ‘The Power of Museums,’ encapsulates this concept directly.
“This year’s theme… speaks to the importance of education and local culture preservation. We have a unique opportunity to educate the public about the evolution of organized crime in America,” she said. “Through hundreds of artifacts and immersive exhibits, The Mob Museum brings fascinating stories to life every day. This is a significant resource to the community because it allows people to better understand history’s role in society.”
#GetinMotion with The Mob Museum
Please show some love and support for this incredible museum! Check out their website and follow them on Facebook and Instagram!
Check out their upcoming events, including ‘Odessa’s Reign: The Queen of Washington, D.C.’s Underworld’ this Wednesday, June 22, at 7 PM, either in-person or online. This program covers Odessa Madre, one of the most powerful women in Washington D.C.’s history, brought to life by filmmaker Robin Hamilton. In her documentary, she tells the fascinating story of a woman who challenged the idea of what a mobster should look and sound like.
This program includes a special screening of Hamilton’s 25-minute Odessa Madre documentary. RSVP for the event or get notified to watch the screening of the documentary by visiting this page.
Enjoy some ‘Live Music in the Underground’ on June 24th and 25th in the speakeasy located in The Mob Museum’s basement. Free entry with the password found on The Underground’s Instagram Stories. 21+ only.
And remember to check out their third and final discussion in the Breaking the Cycle of Incarceration program series: “Life After Prison: The Challenging Transition From Incarceration To Community.” This program will feature panelists discussing the challenges prisoners face after prison and the most effective prisoner re-entry methods. This program runs on June 29 from 7 to 8:30 PM and costs a $5 entry fee. You can also watch it online. Learn more about this program and RSVP here.
