Mob Museum open in downtown Las Vegas

There are two sides to every story - and then there's the truth. The Mob Museum, the National Museum of Organized Crime and Law Enforcement, is a world-class destination in downtown Las Vegas that presents an exciting and authentic view of the mob's impact on Las Vegas history and its unique imprint on the world.

With tales so intriguing they need no embellishment, the museum reveals an insider's look at the events and people on both sides of this continuing battle. True stories of mob history are brought to life in a bold and contemporary style via engaging exhibits and multisensory experiences. The Mob Museum puts the visitor in the middle of the action through high-tech theater presentations, iconic, one-of-a-kind artifacts and interactive, themed environments.

The museum has acquired some of the most iconic artifacts in mob history, including the barber chair Albert Anastasia was sitting in when murdered in New York City and the brick wall from the St. Valentine's Day Massacre in Chicago. The Mob Museum opened on Valentine's Day 2012, the 83rd anniversary of that massacre where seven men affiliated with Bugs Moran's gang were lined up along the wall, shot and killed by Al Capone's South Side Italian gang.

The museum's board of directors is headed by Ellen Knowlton, former FBI special agent in charge, Las Vegas division, and 24-year FBI veteran. The Mob Museum boasts a highly respected board, including professionals from local and state government, law enforcement, the judicial system, media and the business community.

A key visionary for the project and current board member is former Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman. Goodman is a previous defense attorney who made a name for himself representing such reputed mobsters as Meyer Lansky, Frank "Lefty" Rosenthal and Anthony Spilotro.

Artifacts integrated throughout the museum's interactive exhibits provide an insider's look into many of  organized crime's biggest names, including Al Capone, Dion O'Bannion, George Moran, Charlie "Lucky" Luciano, Ben Siegel, Sam Giancana, Joe Bonanno, Mickey Cohen, Tony Cornero, Whitey Bulger and John Gotti.

The museum is located in what many consider the ultimate artifact, the former federal courthouse and U.S. post office. Completed in 1933 and listed on the Nevada and National Registers of Historic Places, it housed the very courtroom where, in 1950, one of 14 national Kefauver hearings was held to expose organized crime in America. Meticulously rehabilitated for the Mob Museum, the building is significant not only for its neoclassical architecture reminiscent of the period in which it was built, but also for the historic events that unfolded inside it.

The Mob Museum also is working with the FBI and many famous undercover agents who made a career of fighting the mob, including legendary agents Joe Pistone, who infiltrated the mob posing as a small-time jewel thief, Donnie Brasco, and Cuban-born Jack Garcia, who successfully ingrained himself into the Gambino family.

In addition, items and artifacts relating to law enforcement's role in helping to eradicate and control the mob, such as weapons, wiretapping tools and tactics and crime scene photos, also are shown. The Mob Museum is a modern-day museum and offers highly experiential and interactive exhibits.

Fascinating stories are brought to life through one-of-a-kind artifacts, interactive touch screens and unique ways to engage with law enforcement and organized crime. For example, visitors can "shoot" a simulated tommy gun, listen to real FBI surveillance tapes on wiretapping equipment and take part in FBI weapons training.

The Mob Museum, a $42 million construction project funded by the city of Las Vegas and nearly $9 million in historic preservation grants - including federal, state and local - was constructed at 300 Stewart Ave. in downtown Las Vegas. The building was dedicated on Nov. 27, 1933, as the city's first federal building. As part of the construction and rehabilitation of the building, the courtroom was restored to appear as it did in 1950 during the famed Kefauver hearings, named for Tennessee Sen. Estes Kefauver.

The 41,000-square-foot Mob Museum includes approximately 17,000 square feet of exhibition space on three floors in addition to a specialty retail store, special event areas, educational areas and office space.

Admission is $19.95 for adults ages 18 and over; $13.95 for children ages 5 to 17 and students ages 18 to 23 with ID; $15.95 for seniors, military, law enforcement and teachers; and $10 for Nevada residents of all ages. Museum hours are Sunday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. until 8 p.m.