Reno's Wilbur D. May Museum Chronicles Travels
Trinkets and Treasures Among Mementos from 40 Trips Around the World
Aug 27, 2008
When people discuss lifestyles of the rich and famous, the name of the late Wilbur D. May is seldom mentioned. Yet, May --collector, adventurer, rancher, pilot, philanthropist and world traveler -- had one of the most fascinating lifestyles of his era.
May’s Adventures
Third son of the founder of the world's largest department store chain, Wilbur was expected to become involved in the family business. But he ran away at 16 to drive an ambulance in World War I, then later joined the expeditionary forces.
After the war, May developed a passion for travel in general and big-game hunting safaris in particular. He went around the world more than 40 times, collecting souvenirs wherever he went.
Mementos of May's life and travels are showcased at Reno's Wilbur D. May Museum. Located at Rancho San Rafael Park about 10 blocks north of downtown, the museum's exterior of white siding and green roof isn't out of the ordinary. But inside, is what’s considered to be one of the finest small museums in the western United States.
May’s Double Diamond Ranch Recreated
The museum's first four rooms recreate living quarters at May's Double Diamond Ranch south of Reno. He bought the ranch in 1938 and lived there until two years before he died in 1982.
In the living room on the piano's music rack is the sheet music for "Pass a Piece of Pizza, Please", composed by May. A recording of the same piece sung by comedian Jerry Colona plays inside a floor model radio from the '30s.
Although at odds with our environmentally sensitive world today, the trophy room is perhaps the most interesting of the re-creations with its dozens of mounted heads, fur rugs and furnishings made from elephant hooves, elk antlers and various other animal parts. May's bedroom and the tack room crammed with trophies, ribbon rosettes and saddles add further insights into the life of a wealthy man at leisure.
Museum’s Trinkets and Treasures
Although it's possible to breeze through the museum in a half-hour or so, the visitor who takes the time to seek out its special treasures will be rewarded. On a table in the living room, for example, there's a photo album chronicling May's 1936 safari to Africa. In the book, photos and typed 3x5 cards with his commentary on the trip add an everyman touch to this extraordinary globetrotter. Most of the treasures, however, are found in the gallery portion of the museum.
The Galleries
Designed by a crew from the Los Angeles County Museum, displays contain artifacts which are placed in areas representing different parts of the world -- Oceana, Far East, Europe/USA, South Asia and Africa. The collection of artifacts is, to say the least, eclectic. Priceless T'ang dynasty horses share the gallery with dime store curios.
Among the articles exhibited in the Europe/USA area are a collection of pewter from England and Germany, a giant Russian soup tureen, Lalique vases, Czechoslovakian pots de creme, an oversize beaded purse and assorted miniatures. Souvenirs of May's African travels include scarabs, daggers, musical instruments, souvenir stand trinkets, tiny stone sculptures and funerary objects such as a burial duck.
Dioramas
Animal dioramas with realistic backgrounds are focal points of each area. Accompanying each diorama is a story board with a simple habitat map, hoof print and a swatch of the animal's fur which visitors may touch.
The museum is open Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sunday, 12-6 p.m. from Memorial Day through September 30. The museum closes two hours earlier during the rest of the year. Admission is $4 for adults.
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