Skip to main content

Search the Special Collections and Archives Portal

Search Results

Display    Results Per Page
Displaying results 1 - 10 of 94

Harrah’s Entertainment Corporate Archives

Identifier

MS-00460

Abstract

The Harrah’s Entertainment Corporate Archives (dating from 1811 to 2004 with the bulk of the materials dating from 1940 to 2000) contain the promotional and corporate files of Harrah’s Entertainment Inc. and its predecessors, as well as Bill Harrah’s personal papers and card game collection. The materials were compiled and developed as a corporate archive by Harrah's Entertainment, Inc.’s Corporate Communications Department. The collection is primarily comprised of casino and employee periodicals, reports, manuals, promotional files, ephemera, and newspaper articles that document Bill Harrah’s casinos in Reno, Nevada and Lake Tahoe as well as Harrah’s Inc., Holiday Inns, Inc., Holiday Corporation, the Promus Companies, and Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc. Also included are photographs that document the construction of Harrah’s properties, business operations, the people who worked and performed at Harrah’s properties, and Bill Harrah’s automobile collection. The collection also contains Bill Harrah’s collection of playing cards and card games. Also included are photographs of the Harrah family.

Archival Collection

Stardust Resort and Casino Records

Identifier

MS-00515

Abstract

The Stardust Resort and Casino Records (1950-2006) contain materials of the Stardust Resort and Casino, which operated in Las Vegas, Nevada from 1958 to 2006. The collection contains materials on events hosted by the Stardust, the resort and casino's corporate history, interior and exterior building design, and performers. The collection also includes photographs, negatives, and slides that document the history of the resort and casino. Newspaper and magazine clippings, advertisement and marketing materials related to the Stardust's venues, shows, entertainers, and events are also present in the collection. The collection also contains a significant amount of audiovisual material, including VHS tapes, audio cassettes, optical discs, film reels, and cassette tapes containing footage and audio recordings of Stardust show promotions, news broadcasting clips, interviews, and commercials featuring the Stardust.

Archival Collection

Mirage Hotel and Casino Photograph Collection

Identifier

PH-00247

Abstract

The Mirage Hotel and Casino Photograph Collection (1989) consists of color slides and a color negative depicting locations around the Mirage hotel and casino in 1989. Images include exterior shots of the lagoon and volcano fountain and interior shots of the resort's amenities.

Archival Collection

Sands Hotel Photograph Collection

Identifier

PH-00287

Abstract

The Sands Hotel Photograph Collection depicts entertainers, celebrities, events, amenities, and staff at the Sands Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada from approximately 1952 to 1980. The photographs primarily depict entertainers like Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, and the Copa Girls performing in the Copa Room, the showroom of the Sands Hotel. The photographs also depict patrons gambling, events held in the Sands Hotel's ballrooms, banquets, the pool, rooms in the hotel, as well as Jack Entratter, the hotel'’s director of entertainment.

Archival Collection

Grace Hayes Photograph Collection

Identifier

PH-00292

Abstract

The Grace Hayes Photograph Collection consists of black-and-white photographic prints and negatives from approximately 1890 to 1980. The collection includes personal photographs of Hayes and her son Peter Lind Hayes and publicity photographs from Hayes's entertainment career.

Archival Collection

Donn Arden Photographs

Identifier

PH-00328

Abstract

The Donn Arden Photographs (approximately 1920-1989) contain photographs, negatives, and photographic slides of dancer and choreographer Donn Arden. The photographs primarily document Arden's life as a dancer and choreographer in Las Vegas, Nevada and in Paris, France, including performances at the Stardust Hotel, Desert Inn, and MGM Grand in Las Vegas and the Lido in Paris. The photographs also depict rehearsals, dancers, showgirls, Arden's friends and family, and performance locations.

Archival Collection

Las Vegas African American Community Conversations round table interviews

Identifier

OH-03599

Abstract

The Las Vegas African American Community Conversations is a four-part conversation with local Las Vegans. The first part of the round table is moderated by Trisha Geran with a central theme of "Migration, Work and Community Emergence." The panelists discuss the early history of the African American community in Las Vegas, Nevada. They also discuss how and why their families moved to Las Vegas, most citing the economic opportunities as a major factor. The participants share their personal histories and family histories building up the African American community in downtown Las Vegas and the Westside. The second part of the round table is moderated by Sonya Horsford with a central theme of "Education, Economy, and Integration." The panelists discuss the Clark County School District pre- and post-integration. They discuss the hardships of the Sixth Grade Center Integration Plan on the African American community as well as discussing the differences in the school facilities. The round table participants also discuss the social services and social programs and the history of those programs from the African American perspective. They also discuss civic involvement and the various civic groups started by the panelists, and share discrimination they faced.

The third part of the round table is moderated by Claytee D. White with a central theme of "Civil Rights and Entertainment." The panelists discuss the racism and segregation present in Las Vegas and discuss how African American community leaders worked to integrate African Americans into the Las Vegas community. They discuss the 1969 riots in detail, and discuss African American entertainers and the entertainment industry. They share personal experiences working in the entertainment industry and discuss the importance of the local unions, such as the Culinary Workers Union Local 226, the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 720, and their contributions to the unions. The fourth and final part of the round table is moderated by Rachel Anderson with a central theme of the "Early African American Legal Community." The panelists discuss the foundations of the professional legal community in Las Vegas, noting the contributions of Charles Keller, Dr. William Bailey, and the Reverend Marion Bennett as driving forces for civil rights activism in Las Vegas. They share their experiences growing up in Las Vegas facing discrimination and segregation. Lastly, they share the changes they have seen and how both the legal and African African communities have grown.

Archival Collection

Jimmy Lee oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03771

Abstract

Oral history interview with Jimmy Lee conducted by Vanessa Concepcion, Kristel Peralta, and Stefani Evans on May 25, 2021 for Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project.

Jimmy shares his family's history as entertainers and producers in Korea and their migration to the United States when Jimmy was six years old. He talks about their move to Durham, North Carolina and their relocation to Las Vegas, his education, and his current business, mentorship, and philanthropic pursuits.

Subjects discussed include: Arirang Sisters; Jo Mackey Sixth Grade Center; Nevada's tax structure; Commercial Center

Archival Collection

Corinne Entratter Sidney, Charlotte Nort, Mary Neivans, Judy Jones, and Joy Blaine Garner oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01899

Abstract

Oral history interview with Corinne Entratter Sidney, Charlotte Nort, Mary Neivans, Joy Blaine Garner, and Judy Jones conducted by Su Kim Chung on January 11, 2014 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Sidney, Nort, Neivans, Garner, and Jones discuss their early lives and recall their memories as members of the Copa Girls at the Sands Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. They describe the audition process to become a Copa Girl, showgirl costumes, and the choreography that was created for their performances. The group recalls performing along famous singers, including Frank Sinatra, and the entertainment in Las Vegas during the 1950s and 1960s.

Archival Collection

George Levine oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03434

Abstract

Oral history interview with George Levine conducted by Cynthia Cicero on February 11, 2014 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project.

George discusses moving to Las Vegas and working as a waiter in the Copa Room at the Sands Hotel. He talks about working for Jack Entratter and Howard Hughes and describes the working conditions of his various positions in the Copa Room, including maître d. George also shares stories of different entertainers that would frequent the establishment.

Archival Collection