Wilbur D. May Museum, Reno

Tucked within Rancho San Rafael Regional Park in northwest Reno, the Wilbur D. May Museum offers an eclectic window into the life of one of Nevada’s most fascinating figures. A rancher, aviator, military officer, and globe-trotting collector, Wilbur D. May circled the world over 40 times, bringing back a trove of rare objects that now make up the museum's permanent collection. Opened in 1985, the museum recreates rooms from his original Double Diamond Ranch home in South Reno, showcasing his big-game trophies, Western art, and relics from Asia, Africa, South America, and beyond-each piece tied to his far-reaching adventures.

Visitors can expect an experience that feels part museum, part personal archive. Highlights include Tang Dynasty pottery, Japanese swords, African masks, European glasswork, and even a genuine shrunken head from South America. The museum’s gallery arranges these artifacts by country of origin, inviting guests on an immersive, self-guided tour of global cultures. For younger visitors, exhibitions like Animal Grossology provide hands-on fun with a slightly quirky edge. The museum store also offers Fair Trade gifts and international handicrafts that reflect the global spirit of the collection.

Right next door, the Wilbur D. May Arboretum and Botanical Garden extends the experience into nature. Established in 1983, the garden spans 13 acres and features over 4,000 plant species, many native to Nevada’s high desert. With scenic views of the Truckee Meadows and the Sierra Nevada, the space doubles as a learning center and event venue, continuing May’s legacy of education, discovery, and community engagement.