Abstract
The Gerald Schaffer Professional Papers (approximately 1949-1999) contain materials from Schaffer's time working as a political executive assistant, private sector consultant, and developer of commercial, residential, and gaming projects throughout Clark County, Nevada. The collection includes newspaper clippings, photographs, correspondence, and administrative files from Schaffer's time working as an executive assistant for Nevada Congressman Walter S. Baring Jr. Schaffer's work with organizations is represented through programs, photographs, and correspondence. Documents relating to his work as Commissioner of Public Housing on the Clark County Public Housing Authority, service as Clark County Planning Commissioner, and as a commercial and residential developer in Las Vegas are also present in the collection.
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Scope and Contents Note
The Gerald Schaffer Professional Papers (approximately 1949-1999) contain materials from Schaffer's time working as a political executive assistant, private sector consultant, and developer of commercial, residential, and gaming projects throughout Clark County, Nevada. The collection includes newspaper clippings, photographs, correspondence, and administrative files from Schaffer's time working as an executive assistant for Nevada Congressman Walter S. Baring Jr. The collection also contains administrative files and correspondence from Schaffer's work on campaigns for Jean Dutton, Harry Reid, Richard Bryan, and Joe LaVoie.
Schaffer's work with organizations including the Nevada Peace Officers, the Nevada Constables Association, International Footprint Association, Jewish War Veterans of the United States, and others is represented through programs, photographs, and correspondence. He also peroformed consultant work for the Children's Asthma Research Institute and Hospital (CARIH) in Denver, Colorado and City of Hope Medical Institute in Duarte, California. Documents relating to his work as Commissioner of Public Housing on the Clark County Public Housing Authority, service as Clark County Planning Commissioner, and as a commercial and residential developer in Las Vegas are also present in the collection.
Access Note
Collection is open for research.
Publication Rights
Materials in this collection may be protected by copyrights and other rights. See Reproductions and Use on the UNLV Special Collections and Archives website for more information about reproductions and permissions to publish.
Arrangement
Materials are arranged by topic.
Biographical / Historical Note
Gerald "Jerry" Schaffer held leadership positions in various companies, governmental boards and authorities, as well as public service agencies in Clark County, Nevada. A resident of Las Vegas, Nevada since 1954, Schaffer helped shape Nevada in a number of ways.
Born February 18, 1924, Gerald Schaffer served in the United States Marines during World War II and was assigned to New Zealand, Tutuilia Samoa, Guam, and many other locations. He was honorably discharged in 1945. When he returned from the war, he began working for Paramount Pictures in New York City, New York; Detroit, Michigan; and Chicago, Illinois as a Public Relations and Government Affairs Consultant. He moved to MGM Studios in Los Angeles, California to work in a similar position.
His first time serving in a political capacity was as a volunteer for Harry Truman's 1948 presidential campaign. Schaffer later advanced to become the Executive Assistant to United States Congressman Walter S. Baring Jr. Baring served as Nevada's Congressman between 1949 and 1973, and was known for his conservative views and leading the opposition to the Civil Rights Act of 1964. After Baring retired, Schaffer served as Commissioner of Public Housing on the Clark County Public Housing Authority, Clark County Planning Commissioner, and member of the Clark County Comprehensive Plan and Steering Committee.
Throughout his life, Schaffer volunteered for organizations including the Children's Asthma Research Institute and Hospital (CARIH) in Denver, Colorado; City of Hope Medical Institute in Duarte, California; International Footprinter Assocation; Nevada Constables Association; Nevada Peace Officers Association; and many more. He also worked closely with the Jewish War Veterans Post No. 711 in Las Vegas which hosted charitable events and programs for veterans in the region. Schaffer was instrumental in securing over one million dollars in private contributions to fund student scholarships at both University of Nevada, Reno and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Upon leaving public office, Schaffer worked as a developer and was instrumental in the development of commercial, residential, and gaming projects covering more than 3,000 acres.
Gerald Schaffer passed away in Las Vegas on May 31, 2018.
Sources:
Donor provided biographical information.
Gerald Schaffer Professional Papers, approximately 1954-1999. MS-01065. Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Las Vegas, Nevada.
Preferred Citation
Gerald Schaffer Professional Papers, approximately 1949-1999. MS-01065. Special Collections and Archives, University Libraries, University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Las Vegas, Nevada.
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Acquisition Note
Materials were donated in 2021 and 2022 by Saundra Schaffer; accession numbers 2021-098 and 2022-022.
Processing Note
In 2021, Sarah Jones rehoused the collection and created the finding aid in ArchivesSpace. In 2022, Sarah Jones added an additional box of material to the collection. This collection is minimally processed.