Las Vegas Natural History Museum Acquires the Gary and Matthew Primm Wildlife Collection

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 19, 2015

Las Vegas Natural History Museum Acquires the
Gary and Matthew Primm Wildlife Collection
The Primm family donation is valued at more than a half-million dollars

LAS VEGAS – Las Vegas Natural History Museum announces it has obtained a prestigious museum quality animal collection from Nevada casino developer and wildlife enthusiast, Gary E. Primm. The rare Gary and Matthew Primm Wildlife Collection features approximately 99 exotic and domestic species including a Pride of Lions, Buffalos, Bears, Giraffe, Crocodile, Baboon and more. The exhibits are in “better than museum” condition and have been worked on and crafted by the nation’s top artists. Select pieces of the Primm Wildlife Collection will be available for viewing by museum guests beginning today, Thursday, November 19, 2015.

The value of this exclusive, one-of-a-kind collection is estimated at $650,000 according to Unmatched Appraisal Services.

“I’m honored to present and to donate our family’s wildlife collection to the Las Vegas Natural History Museum in hopes to expand the Museums educational services to the Las Vegas community. Leaving not only a legacy of infrastructure and casino developments, but also one that lends to the educational growth of Las Vegas and its youth is truly a passion of mine,” said Gary E. Primm. “I believe our collection will benefit the Museums mission in educating children, adults and families in the natural sciences through its interactive exhibits, collections and educational programs, and I hope other notable families in the community will join the cause.”

The Primm Wildlife Collection began making its way to its new home inside the Africa exhibit at the Las Vegas Natural History Museum this month. Patrons will also be able to view a Giraffe, Hyena, Bison, Chamois, Baboons, White Stag, and Lions as part of this vast display. Primm donates this extensive collection which has been collected and curated for more than 20 years.

“The Primm family collection is a wonderful edition to the Museum. Their collection is true art. Many of the pieces that they have donated to us are the best examples of natural history exhibits that I have ever seen,” said Marilyn Gillespie, executive director of the Las Vegas Natural History Museum. “Adding these animals raises the bar of our current collection and exhibits and allows the community a chance to see specimens that they may never be able to in their lives. We are also excited to be able to update our Africa Exhibit with the Primm family’s generous donation so the community can appreciate them right away.”

“I’m so excited that we were able to get this remarkable collection thanks to the generosity of Gary Primm and that it will be showcased at the Las Vegas Natural History Museum,” said Mayor Carolyn G. Goodman. “These pieces are on par with what you would see in the natural history museum in New York City.”

For more information on the Las Vegas Natural History Museum and the updated Africa exhibit, visit Facebook, Twitter or www.lvnhm.org.

ABOUT THE LVNHM:
The Las Vegas Natural History Museum opened in 1991 and is a private, non–profit institution dedicated to educating children, adults, and families in the natural sciences, both past and present.  Through its interactive exhibits, educational programs, and the preservation of its collections, the Museum strives to instill an understanding and appreciation of the world’s wildlife, ecosystems, and cultures.  Please visit www.lvnhm.org or call (702) 384–3466 for additional information.

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