When I think of Las Vegas, I visualize many things such as, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and the rest of the Rat Pack, Wayne Newton, extravagant casinos with equally outrageous shows, the Mob, mid-century modern structures and Googie signage. Unfortunately, much of the mid-century modern and Googie-themed architecture in and around Vegas is disappearing to make way for a new generation of bigger architecture (most of which is bland in my opinion). Architects like William Krisel, Paul Revere Williams, Welton Beckett, Dan Palmer and others helped make Las Vegas architecturally distinctive during the 50's and 60's.
If you are fortunate enough to be passing through "Sin City," and want a break from its vices then you should stop by the
Mid-Century Modern in Las Vegas exhibit currently on display at the Nevada State Museum. The museum is open from 9:00am until 5:00pm, Wednesday through Saturday and is located at 700 Twin Lakes Drive in Las Vegas. At $4.00 for non-member adults, the admission is much better than gambling in the casinos. Among the exhibit highlights are photographs by Jay Florian Mitchell who photographed the futuristic terminal pictured above at McCarran International Airport.
