It’s a little bit of fate that brought Steven Keith’s life full circle. Today, the native Las Vegan works as a museum guide at The Neon Museum; when he was little, he played outside of his grandpa’s house across the street from an empty dirt lot where the museum now stands. “It’s like cosmic destiny for me,” he says. “You can still see the roof of his house from here (as he points it out while we stand inside the museum’s Neon Boneyard).”

Keith, a third-generation Las Vegan, grew up hearing stories about the town from his mom. “She was driving us around town, and it was like being in a museum—she had a story for every 100 yards of this city,” he says. It’s safe to say Keith is stocked up on the city knowledge, and the rest of his knowledge comes from the training he received when he joined the museum two years ago.

Keith takes guests on a 45-minute tour through the boneyard sharing stories and facts about the restored neon signs. When not guiding a tour you can find him around the boneyard ready to answer questions or share some fun anecdotes.

“We have more signs lit up than ever before,” Keith says. “We’re up to 28 fully illuminated signs, fully restored. It’s cool to be a part of that. In 2012, when we first opened, we only had three that lit up, so we’re going in the right direction. By purchasing a ticket, you’re a part of this mission to preserve and display all this old history.”

Photo by: Christopher DeVargas

Souvenirs

The Neon Museum has an awesome gift shop with tons of souvenirs that celebrate the city. Everything from keepsakes and clothes to accessories and home goods are based on signage, logos and designs of some of the city’s most famous hotels and

landmarks.

Benefit: Catch Keith and his band, Heidi & The Guinns, at the Las Vegas Bluegrass Festival on April 12.

770 Las Vegas Blvd. N. 702.387.6366. neonmuseum.org

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