Tahoe Maritime Museum

Nevada is home to one of the world’s most beautiful alpine lakes and at the Tahoe Maritime Museum on the west shore, visitors can learn about its rich maritime history. The museum is dedicated to stimulating an interest and understanding of the lake’s past through excellence in historic preservation, distinctive interpretation and education.

Visitors to the Tahoe Maritime Museum will find an extensive collection of photographs and artifacts from as far back as the late nineteenth century. Some of the museum’s exhibits feature the magnificent steamers that at one time ferried passengers, freight and mail around the lake. The museum also boasts a boat collection that ranks among some of the best in the nation. The collection includes more than 25 vessels with historical significance to both Lake Tahoe and the entire maritime community. Many of the boats are still in service during the summer months.

Other exhibits at the Tahoe Maritime Museum display the days of gentlemen’s racing. This began at Lake Tahoe with the advent of the internal combustion engine and continued until legal restrictions in the 1960s. Visitors will also find displays focusing on various boat manufacturers, including Chris-Craft, Gar Wood and Stephens.

In addition to its historic exhibits and displays, the Tahoe Maritime Museum boasts the largest collection of outboard motors on the West Coast. Aquaplanes and water skis are also displayed at the museum, with exhibits that depict the evolution from the earliest models to more familiar versions. And as the sport of fishing has historical significance at Lake Tahoe, the museum also has a fishing display that features boats, antique poles and photographs.