The Virgin Valley Heritage Museum is a tribute to the early pioneer settlers of the Virgin Valley.  In 1826, western explorer, Jedediah Smith visited the Virgin Valley and later in 1944, Captain John C. Freemont passed through the valley which served as the right-of-way for the old Spanish Trail from 1926 to 1948 for the southern route of travel to California.  The Virgin Valley provided water for the development of the valley’s agriculture.  In 1877, the Mormon pioneers settled around Bunkerville and in 1880, Mesquite, where they established farms and ranches, primarily raising cattle and growing crops.  The area was known for its Mesquite, given its name from all the Mesquite trees in the area.

Rich with a deep pioneer heritage full of strength, devotion, hardships, sacrifice and hope, the museum helps visitors understand the pioneer way of life and how the pioneers settled in the great valley with its abundance of water.  The original purpose of the building was to serve the community as a library.  Its construction was done by young, “troubled” (orphans and delinquents) children who were paid fifty cents a day to carry stones from the river to the existing location to make the structure.  After Federal funds were depleted due to the need for money for WWII, local young men completed the construction.  You will notice the smaller stones on the lower part of the building done by the children compared to the large ones toward the top done by the larger, stronger and “smarter” men.

In 1941, the museum building served as a library and in 1943, was converted into a hospital and medical clinic operated under the direction of Bertha Howe until 1977.  With the $35 donation from each family in town, Dr. Gilbert and Bertha Howe, a registered nurse, went to Las Vegas and purchased medical supplies necessary to open the hospital.  The library building was then converted and used as the hospital and was the only medical facility in town until 1977. 

After being closed for a few years, it was used as a Boy Scout meeting hall.  In 1984, the newly incorporated City of Mesquite reclaimed it and designated it a museum to house the historical treasures of the Virgin Valley.

As you enter the museum on the left, you will see a special Schwinn tandem built bicycle for Scott Hafen so he could participate in scout biking events.  Shortly after his birth on October 28^th, 1968, he was diagnosed with Spina Bifida.  At age 5, he was chosen to be the 1974 March of Dimes Poster Child.  He rode 500 miles starting in Salt Lake City and ending in Los Angeles.  Scott sat on the back and hand pedaled the whole way.  His guides on the front who steered and geared sat on the front and would switch out.  Scott was twelve and the youngest scout in the group.  Today, you can still see Scott wheeling around town on his motorized bike.

There are many other artifacts including “Skookum” Indian Dolls (1913 – 1925), one of the first slot machines in Mesquite, an original Synccofilm projector, the history of the hospital/medical clinic and Bertha Howe, names of children born there, lots of black & white photos outlining the history and much more! 

Every two months, the exhibit in the back rotates from starting with the original settlers and how they survived, the changes made as the society evolved from agriculture to modern day.  With the advent of the automobile, there was a need for lodging accommodations and the start of the casino era, and finally, along came golf!

In the back area of the museum, there are additional historical exhibits with tools, military memorabilia and even an area where they grow cotton to help educate the young children who visit on how cotton was picked and processed back in the day.

The staff at the museum are extremely knowledgeable.  If you’re a history buff, or simply enjoy museums, you will greatly appreciate the efforts made by donors and the staff members to make your visit a memorable one!

The museum is located at 35 West Mesquite Blvd., Mesquite NV 89027.  The hours are 10:00am to 4:00pm Tuesday through Saturday.  For additional information call 702-346-5705 or visit www.facebook.com/mesquitenvmuseum.