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The State Archives program preserves the records that document the history of Nevada State government dating back to 1851. It has custody over the historical records of the territory and state as defined in state statute, representing the three branches of government: executive, legislative, and judicial. There are more than 15,000 cubic feet of territorial and state government records and over 100,000 images of Nevada people and places, providing visual information that complements the Archives' documentation of Nevada history
Hours and Location: The Nevada State Library and Archives is at 100 N. Stewart Street in Carson City. The Library is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday through Friday. The Archives is on the Upper Level and is open for research from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. The Library and the Archives are closed for state holidays. (775) 684-3310.
NEW! Celebrate Nevada Archives Month
ARCHIVAL RECORDS
Archival materials are arranged by the name of the creator state agency or office and reflect the duties of individual agencies. Because there are no title pages, tables of contents or indexes to archival records, archivists must create them. If you are not certain what to look for, click on Ask an Archivist.
- Carson County, Utah and Nevada Territories – Nevada government between 1851-1861
- Nevada Territory –Nevada government from 1861-1864
- Nevada Constitutional Officers –elected officials: Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State, Treasurer, Attorney General, and Controller
- Nevada Executive Branch Agencies –some 39 agencies such as Corrections, Education, and Transportation
- Licensing and Regulatory Boards and Commissions –for example, the Dairy Commission and the Gaming Control Board and Commission
- Special Boards and Commissions –for example, the Board of Examiners, Board of Capitol Commissioners, and the Equal Rights Commission
- Judicial Branch –the Nevada Supreme Court and the Ormsby County District Court
- Legislative Branch –the Nevada State Assembly and Senate
- Archives on Microfilm –selected archival records of state government, available on microfilm in the Nevada State Library
ASK AN ARCHIVIST
Do you have a question for the Nevada State Archives staff? We can search the records to find answers to your queries and if we don’t have the answer, we can suggest other places to search.
WHAT'S NOT IN THE ARCHIVES?
Sometimes the State Archives is mistaken for the State Museum or the Nevada Historical Society. The State Archives does not collect artifacts, personal diaries or business records – it collects state government records. This page will explain what we do not have and where to look to find answers to your questions.
DISCOVER NEVADA HISTORY
The Archives staff has compiled a series of links to websites that have historical information you might be seeking. Arranged by topic such as discovering people, maps, or photos, you can visit the online Nevada Census, locate maps in digital formats, read the Political History of Nevada, or learn about Nevada state symbols, to name just a few features.
PHOTOGRAPHS
There are approximately 100,000 photographs in the Nevada State Archives. Most of them came from Nevada state agencies and were created in the course of normal business. This means that we have no photos of Pony Express riders or grammar school classes or pioneers crossing the plains in covered wagons. We do have photographs of state buildings, state elected officials including all governors, and Nevada highways and roads to name a few topics. Nevada governors, beginning with Governor Charles Russell (1951-1959) acquired thousands of photographs related to their activities and they are part of the collection.
FOR GENEALOGISTS
The staff has compiled a list of web links specifically with genealogists in mind.
NEVADA - WHAT DO YOU WANT TO KNOW?
The Archives STAFF doesn’t usually write “history,” only describes the sources of Nevada history. There are a few exceptions. In “Special Features” you can find brief biographical sketches of Nevada governors and first ladies, oaths of office and dates of gubernatorial inaugurations, lists of state officials, a synopsis of capital punishment in Nevada, and much more.
SHRAB
The Nevada State Historical Records Advisory Board (SHRAB) promotes the establishment and maintenance of archives and public records programs throughout the state. Read about the Board’s long range goals for Nevada’s historical records and minutes of meetings planning for those goals.
HISTORICAL MYTH A MONTH
Nevada history books and newspapers all too often tell stories that distort the truth. Occasionally historians make mistakes, sometimes newspaper reporters get the wrong information, and oftentimes advertisers and civic promoters embellish and exaggerate the facts to promote their towns or businesses. Once a story appears in print, it generally gets repeated again and again, making it more and more believable. What’s true? What really happened? How do you know it’s true? You can find out right here.
NITTY GRITTY
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