About

Get up close to Tahoe’s history and culture with the featured exhibits at the Gatekeeper’s Museum in Tahoe City. Opening for the season on April 1, 2026, the Gatekeeper’s Museum is the only cultural heritage and history museum in the North Lake Tahoe area. 

Watson Cabin Tahoe's oldest log cabin structure built in 1908 will be open May 23, 2026-September 7, 2026

Tahoe’s Gilded Age of Fashion April 1 – October 31, 2026

Experience exquisite dresses, (including a rare 1880 Bliss Family dress made by the finest dry goods distributer, Darlington, Runk & Co.) swimsuits, shoes, accessories and even fine china, from a time of great economic and social change in the United States, marked by conspicuous consumption and industrialization. Learn how Lake Tahoe served as a backdrop for the Gilded Age

Revolving Basket Displays April 1 – October 31, 2026

Thanks to the generosity of the Davis family we are now able to showcase baskets from the archives! This year, our Basket Gallery received an upgrade with two new glass cases specifically meant to showcase never before displayed baskets, new accessions and even baskets made by the original owner of the collection, Marion Steinbach. Take advantage of this new opportunity and see these amazing baskets on display!

Lumbering & Fluming April 1 – October 31, 2026

Step back into Lake Tahoe’s rugged past and discover how towering forests powered one of the region’s earliest industries. This engaging exhibit explores the early history of lumbering and fluming in the Tahoe Basin, when ingenuity and hard labor shaped the landscape and fueled western expansion. Visitors will enjoy a rare highlight—a flume boat dating from the late 1870s—and learn how these remarkable vessels and the people who built them helped launch one of the West’s first major industries.

Remembering the 1960 Winter Olympics April 1 – October 31, 2026

Experience the thrill of the 1960 Winter Olympics like never before! This exciting new exhibit takes you behind the scenes of the “Squaw Valley Games,” where athletic achievement met unforgettable style and culture. Explore the history of this landmark event, see rare artifacts including an original Olympic signature book, and discover Jazz at the Olympics—a special record created just for this historic celebration. Visitors will also learn the story behind how the name “Palisades” was adopted, reflecting a thoughtful effort to honor ethics and respect in naming practices. Perfect for sports fans, history buffs, and anyone curious about a moment when the world came together on snow and ice.

Under Lake Tahoe: Discover the History of What Lies Beneath April 1 – October 31, 2026

Explore all things under the lake; sunken steamships, treasures, legends and more! The highlight of the exhibit is exclusive footage from mission robotics taken in fall 2022 of the famous SS Tahoe shot over 300 feet below the surface. This interactive exhibit gives visitors a rare look into the unique underwater world of Lake Tahoe.

Marion Steinbach Native American Basket Collection

The Marion Steinbach Native American Basket Collection consists of more than 700 baskets from Tahoe native peoples of Western North America. Approximately 270 baskets and Native American artifacts are on permanent display, a majority of which were originally collected by Marion Steinbach. The collection consists of baskets primarily made for sale by the Natives. Most of the baskets in the collection were made between 1860-1940.

After Marion Steinbach's death, in 1992, her widower, Henry A. Steinbach, gifted Marion's impressive collection of Native American basketry to the NLTHS. The collection was donated on condition that a facility be provided for their display. Thanks to the generosity of the local community, the NLTHS built a modern annex attached to the Gatekeeper's Museum to house and display the collection. The Edward S. Barnett building containing the Marion Steinbach Basket Collection opened in June 1995.

On The Lake Maritime Collection

Step back in time and explore the golden age of Lake Tahoe’s waterways! This captivating exhibit highlights the region’s rich maritime history with artifacts from the SS Tahoe, the Marian B., and Captain Ernest Pomin, alongside a 1930s original outboard motor. Visitors can also watch a rare early 20th-century video showcasing the lake’s elegant steamships in action. Perfect for history enthusiasts and lake lovers, the exhibit brings Tahoe’s steamship era vividly to life.

Lake Tahoe's Natural History

Learn about Lake Tahoe's Natural History with our “Touch and Feel Bear Exhibit.” Featuring an interactive video and the opportunity to touch a real bear hide. Learn about Tahoe bears during the Ice Age and how they evolved to become Grizzly Bears and Black Bears.

Lake Tahoe in the Movies

An interactive exhibit staring Lake Tahoe! Featuring an original 1920's movie projector from the Tahoe Tavern Resort, original set and costume design images from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences, private notes from locals who were on set, newspaper articles about local extras and – the highlight of the exhibit – a short film created by Patrick Yun.