*Dead media.<\/p>\n
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
\nSept. 8, 2025<\/p>\n
70 YEARS AFTER ITS DEBUT, LAST REMAINING DUNES HOTEL SIGN WILL SHINE AGAIN AT THE NEON MUSEUM<\/p>\n
Legendary Las Vegas Landmark Returns to the Spotlight as The Neon Museum Honors The Dunes and the Visionaries Who Shaped Its Legacy<\/p>\n
Public Relighting Ceremony to Take Place Sept. 26<\/p>\n
LAS VEGAS \u2013 The Neon Museum will reilluminate a lost icon of American pop culture on Friday, Sept. 26: the only remaining publicly displayed sign from the legendary Dunes Hotel and Casino, one of the original glamour resorts that helped make Las Vegas a global capital of entertainment.<\/p>\n
For photos from The Neon Museum, click here.<\/p>\n
For archival photos from the LVCVA Archives, click here. <\/p>\n
For video of the implosion from theimplosionguy.com, click here.<\/p>\n
Purchased by The Neon Museum in 2002, the restored Dunes entrance sign is the sole surviving public artifact of its famed signage. The hotel opened in 1955, hailed as the \u201cMiracle in the Desert.\u201d As Las Vegas entered its Golden Age, The Dunes helped define the city\u2019s transformation into an international entertainment destination with extravagant shows, luxurious dining, over-the-top amenities and a towering 180-foot neon pylon that later won the coveted General Electric award for most significant neon achievement.<\/p>\n
The relighting ceremony will also honor the visionary leaders who helped shape its legacy. The restoration was made possible by renowned interior designer Roger Thomas in honor of Joyce and Jerry Mack and Peggy and Parry Thomas, whose financing and legal reforms ushered in Las Vegas\u2019 era of corporate gaming. Guests at the relighting will enjoy a celebratory champagne toast, sponsored by Tim and Amy Hunter.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Dunes Hotel and Casino holds deep significance in our family\u2019s history,\u201d said Roger Thomas. \u201cMy father, E. Parry Thomas, along with his partner Jerry Mack, made the loans that allowed The Dunes to expand. When they helped change state and federal laws to allow publicly traded corporations to own casinos, The Dunes became the first Las Vegas property acquired under the new framework. It marked the start of a transformative era in gaming, and years later, the property was imploded to make way for Bellagio, my first luxury hotel design. The Dunes was both a finale and a beginning.\u201d<\/p>\n
The five-month restoration, led by local artisans at Hartlauer Signs, included:<\/p>\n
Craned extraction from the Neon Boneyard and careful reshaping of its onion dome silhouette
\nRecreation of its original animation pattern using historically accurate bulbs
\nRepair of a large crack in the sign\u2019s face using acrylic backer sheeting, left visible to preserve its story
\nFaithful reproduction of the sign\u2019s distinctive orange fa\u00e7ade using custom-poured, textured resin
\n\u201cThis restoration represents everything The Neon Museum stands for: preserving the artistry, ambition, and bold spirit that built Las Vegas,\u201d said Aaron Berger, Executive Director of The Neon Museum. \u201cThe Dunes sign represents a time when the city was rapidly reinventing itself through spectacle and imagination. To see this rare sign glow again is to feel the energy of that era come alive. This is not just Las Vegas history \u2013 it\u2019s part of America\u2019s cultural fabric.\u201d<\/p>\n
As a defining symbol of mid-century Las Vegas, The Dunes was conceived as a modern reimagining of Arabian Nights Baghdad. Guests were welcomed with costumed greeters, opulent d\u00e9cor and themed architecture. Designed by Bob Dorr and built by McNeil Construction, the property was financed by a group of entrepreneurs that included a theater owner, restaurateur and costume jewelry maker. Among its many innovations were the Sultan\u2019s Table fine-dining experience and risqu\u00e9 productions like Minsky\u2019s Follies, the city\u2019s first topless revue.<\/p>\n
The resort evolved over the years, opening the longest 18-hole golf course in Nevada in 1964 and merged with Continental Connector Corp. in 1968 under the leadership of E. Parry Thomas and Jerry Mack. In 1993, The Dunes became the first Las Vegas Strip resort imploded by explosives, drawing more than 200,000 spectators. Its former site became Bellagio Resort & Casino in 1998, then the most expensive hotel ever built.<\/p>\n
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About The Neon Museum<\/p>\n
The Neon Museum illuminates the cultural essence of Las Vegas by sharing iconic signage, diverse collections and stories that define its vibrant past, present and future. Its core values seek to create a sense of belonging for everyone; promote scholarship through its work and collaborations; offer fun engagement that reflects the spirit of Las Vegas; and demonstrate overall excellence.<\/p>\n
Founded in 1996, The Neon Museum achieved accreditation by the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) in 2021, the highest national honor for museums in the United States. Situated on a 2.27-acre campus, the Museum features:<\/p>\n
The Neon Boneyard: An outdoor exhibition space displaying historic signs no longer in use.
\nThe North Gallery: Home to Brilliant! Jackpot, an immersive audiovisual experience that re-illuminates over 40 non-operational signs using advanced technology.
\nThe Boulevard Gallery: A transitional space showcasing collection pieces.
\nThe Visitors\u2019 Center: Located in the iconic former La Concha Motel lobby designed by famed architect Paul Revere Williams.
\nThe Neon Boneyard Park: A green space where visitors can learn more of Las Vegas\u2019 rich history.
\nThe museum\u2019s collection also includes 15 restored signs displayed as public art in downtown Las Vegas collectively known as The Las Vegas Boulevard Scenic Byway Project and additional pieces on loan to non-profits and government entities. Its ongoing initiatives encompass public education, outreach, research, and arts preservation.<\/p>\n
For more information, including tour schedules and tickets, visit www.neonmuseum.org. Also follow @NeonMuseum on Facebook and @theneonmuseumlasvegas on Instagram.<\/p>\n
MEDIA CONTACTS:
\nMike Dini
\nThe Neon Museum
\nmdini@neonmuseum.org<\/p>\n
Kirvin Doak Communications
\nneonmuseum@kirvindoak.com<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
*Dead media. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Sept. 8, 2025 70 YEARS AFTER ITS DEBUT, LAST REMAINING DUNES HOTEL SIGN WILL SHINE AGAIN AT THE NEON MUSEUM Legendary Las Vegas Landmark Returns to the Spotlight as The Neon Museum Honors The Dunes and the Visionaries Who Shaped Its Legacy Public Relighting Ceremony to Take Place Sept. 26 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-5974","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorised"],"yoast_head":"\n