Oral history interview with Leslee Thomas conducted by Claytee D. White on March 13, 2024 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Thomas is the granddaughter of Larry Wilburn and daughter of Terry Wilburn, owners of Larry's Sight & Sound, a business institution in the Westside. The business, first located at 1318 D Street, was initially called Larry's Music Bar. The Music Bar moved to Owens Avenue and was renamed Larry's Sight & Sound. For 35 years until 1992, the music shop drew in stars and locals for its vinyl records, record players, and casssettes. In the interview, Thomas shares how she learned to work in the business, stay connected to family, and be a contributing member of the community. She describes her dreams for the Westside, which include giving tourists reasons to visit the Black community, capital investments, and marketing. Digital audio available; no transcript available.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Elizebeth Dewey Russell conducted by Claytee D. White on March 23, 2024 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Russell talks about her mother, Ruth Bradshaw Dewey, a white woman, who taught at the Westside School (1949-1955), saw Josephine Baker at the El Rancho in 1952, attended the opening night of the Moulin Rouge in 1955, and served as the secretary of the Las Vegas branch of the NAACP for several years. Russell describes living with her mother in the Mayfair deveopment just south of 17th Street at Charleston and graduating from Las Vegas High School. She recalls spending summers with her father, John Bradshaw, in Caliente, Nevada, where he worked as a mechanic for the Union Pacific Railroad.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jocelyn "Joyce" Egbalic conducted by Stefani Evans for the Reflections: the Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. Born and raised in Luzon, Philippines, Egbalic recalls her parents' careers as an architectural engineer and draftsman for a municipality. After she graduated high school, the family joined relatives in Minnesota. Joyce eventually relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2003. In this interview, Egbalic discusses her Culinary Union steward duties, job security, medical benefits, and her work as a cocktail server at the Rio versus at the non-union Hard Rock. Digital audio available; no transcript available.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with George Lee conducted by Stefani Evans and Su Kim Chung on February 29, 2024 for the Reflections: the Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. In this interview, Lee describes his four decades of experience as a Las Vegas blackjack dealer (36 at the Four Queens Casino), after leaving behind a career in dance. Lee was selected to originate the role of "Tea" in a 1954 New York City Ballet stage production of The Nutcracker. He also danced in South Pacific at the Thunderbird, and with Carol Channing's revue at The Riviera, and a traveling production of Disney on Parade. After dancing in Alcazar de Paris at the Desert Inn Hotel in 1980, he quit dancing and went to dealer school. He worked swing shift at the Four Queens Hotel, and attended ballet classes at UNLV during the day. Lee, now 89, still works five days a week at the Four Queens. In this interview, Lee talks about ballet, typecasting, discipline, and being "ten times better." He discusses becoming a U.S. citizen in 1959 and changing his surname from Li to Lee.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jacque Olvera-Deki and Richard H. Deki conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on March 18, 2024 for the Reflections: the Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. In this interview, Richard and Jacque describe their early lives, moving to Henderson, Nevada in 1997, and being in close proximity to both the 1 October and December 6 shootings in Las Vegas. Digital audio and photographs available; no transcript available.
Archival Collection
The Baneberry Nuclear Test Trial Records (1969-1989) contain documents of a federal court case regarding a 1970 Nevada Test Site nuclear test and the resultant radioactive cloud which may have exposed and subsequently injured the test site workers. The consolidated suits, William Nunamaker vs. the United States and Harley Roberts vs. the United States, came to trial January 1979, in Federal District Court, Las Vegas, U.S. District Judge Roger Foley presiding. The materials in the collection consist of court documents, such as transcripts of the trial, briefs, findings and statements, an appeal, orders, defense and plaintiff exhibits, and indices to the exhibits and witnesses as well as a glossary of terms.
Archival Collection
The Game On! Oral History of Sports in Las Vegas interviews (2024-) contain all oral history interviews conducted by UNLV University Libraries Oral History Research Center. This project centers on documenting the history of sports in Las Vegas, including interviews discussing the earliest teams to the most recent champions. Interviews cover a wide array of sports including hockey, football, baseball, softball, auto racing, tennis, basketball, poker, boxing, rodeo, golf, running, esports, and more. Digital audio available for all interviews; check collection inventory for individual narrators and more detailed information on specific interviews.
Archival Collection
The UNLV Remembers: an Oral History of the 6 December 2023 Shooting interviews (2024-) contain all oral history interviews conducted by UNLV University Libraries Oral History Research Center. This project aims to enhance the historical record about the events of December 6, 2023 shooting with first-hand accounts of the tragedy, campus and community response, and recovery efforts. Interviews are with students, staff, faculty, and others. Digital audio available for all interviews; check collection inventory for individual narrators and more detailed information on specific interviews.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Dennis McBride conducted by Claytee D. White and Stefani Evans on various dates in March, April, and May 2023 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. McBride goes into detail in this 4-session interview and covers a wide variety of topics, including: the history of Boulder City, working at various cultural institutions in Las Vegas, the evolution of the LGBTQ+ community in Las Vegas, researching his own history and publishing a book, and local advocacy groups. Digital audio available; no transcript available.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Patty and Harry Todd conducted by Claytee D. White on May 28, 2024 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Patty Todd describes her childhood on the Westside of Las Vegas, and remembers a friendly community. She attended the Westside School and graduated from Rancho High School. Patty met her husband, Harry, at a Military Appreciation Ball on October 15, 1966. Harry Todd grew up in Pennsylvania and moved to Las Vegas, Nevada when he joined the Air Force. The two share memories of living on the Westside and growing up with the city in the 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. Patty shares about her family's long history in Las Vegas, and at one point an earlier generation homesteaded property at the corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Flamingo where the Bellagio stands today. Digital audio available; no transcript available.
Archival Collection