Explore the Keck

Explore the astounding collection of rare and common minerals, fossils and mining history relics. Free to the public since 1908.

Curator Garrett Barmore holding a specimen in front of a display case in the Keck Museum.

Object Identification Day!

Saturday, November 1 | 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Bring an unusual object to the Keck for free assistance with identification! Experts in the Keck's various collecting areas (paleontology, geology and mining history) will be on site and ready to help you figure out whether the funny-shaped rock you're holding is an ammonite fossil or simply another chunk of Earth's tumultuous geologic history.

Pre-arranged consultations will be held from 10 a.m. - 12 p.m., but walk-ins are welcome from 12 p.m. - 1 p.m. on a first-come, first-served basis. Appointments will last 15 minutes, and the curator will reach out to attendees with their designated appointment time by Wednesday, October 29. The Keck will not provide appraisals, and object donations may be discussed on a case-by-case basis.

To sign up for an appointment, please fill out the registration form by Saturday, October 25. The experts will do their best to accommodate all requests, but please note that visitors are not guaranteed a spot during Object ID Day.

Register to bring your object to ID Day

Visit Nevada's oldest geology museum

Located in the Mackay School of Mines Building at the University of Nevada, Reno, the W. M. Keck Earth Science and Mineral Engineering Museum houses an outstanding collection of minerals, ores, fossil specimens and photographs, in addition to mining related relics. The museum is also home to some of the spectacular Mackay Silver Collection, created by Tiffany & Co., for John Mackay and completed in 1878.

The Keck Museum has been free since it opened in 1908.

Hours

Open to the public Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the First Saturday of the Month from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Contact us

Mackay School of Mines Building
1664 N Virginia St, Reno, NV
(775) 784-4528
Keck Museum Facebook

Tight shot of the back of a school bus

Bringing the classroom to the Keck

Bring your students to the Keck Museum for an immersive field trip. Educational tours and activities are offered to K-12 students.

Information for educators
Portrait of Garrett Barmore in the museum with a clipboard and a cart displaying two minerals.

Mineral Monday with Garrett Barmore

Join Keck Museum Curator Garrett Barmore for a weekly video exploration of the incredible minerals fossils and objects on display at the Museum.

Watch and subscribe to the weekly series

Mineral identification

The Keck Museum no longer offers mineral identification. We don't have the staff or resources to offer this service.

Parking and how to find the Keck Museum

The Keck Museum is located in the Mackay Mines building at the north end of the University quad. Since 1908 the University of Nevada, Reno campus has grown around the museum, subsequently, there is no street access or street parking close to the museum. Using the 1664 N. Virginia Street address in GPS will take you to the center of campus, not the museum. Parking on campus can be challenging. Below are several parking options. For specific parking and accessibility questions please call the museum at 775-784-4528. For detailed walking directions and more information about campus, please visit the University's online campus map.