African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project event roundtable conducted by Claytee D. White on January 18, 2014 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this panel event, Jean Childs, Joe Neal, Jackie Brantley, LaVerne Ligon, and Ramon Savoy discuss their early lives and explain how they arrived to Las Vegas, Nevada. Childs talks about her father’s business, the Penguin Club, and the history of African Americans in the gaming industry. She talks about her involvement with the Economic Opportunity Board (EOB) and the Head Sstart federal program. Savoy remembers the foundation of
Archival Collection
Roundtable discussion with Bob Bellis, Courtney Mooney, Yorgo Kagafas, and Keny Stewart conducted by Claytee D. White on December 12, 2009 for the Voices of the Historic John S. Park Neighborhood Oral History Project. In this roundtable discussion, participants talk about the Historic John S. Park Neighborhood Plan. Kagafas describes his role as project manager for the Plan and the process for obtaining a historic designation. Bellis talks about working with the City of Las Vegas, drafting the Plan, and the community’s input on the contents of the Plan. Stewart explains why many neighbors were hesitant with the historic designation. Later, Mooney describes the home survey process and changes in homes since the 1930s. Lastly, the group discussed other neighborhood plans in Las Vegas, and the importance of having a historic designation in the city.
Archival Collection
Roundtable discussion with Michael Baker, Angela Kallus, Billy Logan, Jacqueline Maloy, Todd Jones, JoNell Thomas, Sarah Haggerty, Gregory S. Brown, and Dayvid Figler conducted by Claytee D. White on January 22, 2011 for the Voices of the Historic John S. Park Neighborhood Oral History Project. In this roundtable discussion, participants talk about their decision to move into the John S. Park neighborhood. The group describes the houses in the area during the early 2000s, changes in the house designs, and crimes in the area. Lastly, the participants talk about the gentrification of the area.
Archival Collection
The Donna Andress Papers (1890-2021) contain the personal papers of Donna Andress, a longtime resident and activist in Southern Nevada. Materials include correspondence and newspaper clippings from the Nevada Welfare Committee, on which Andress served as chairperson during the 1970s, in addition to pamphlets and newsletters from various Nevada historical organizations and committees. The papers reflect her involvement with community organizations throughout Southern Nevada.
Archival Collection
Jackie Robinson Groundbreaking Event on October 29, 2014 and recorded for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. The event marked the construction start ofthe All Net Resort & Arena, a $1.4 billion arena, hotel and shopping center project in Las Vegas, Nevada. Robinson, a former NBA player, talks about the vision behind this project and its impact on the Las Vegas community.
Archival Collection
The Cherina Kleven Papers (approximately 1988-2014) document the career of Cherina Kleven who was the first Asian-American appointed as Assistant Fire Chief for Las Vegas Fire & Rescue. The materials primarily include physical and digitized photographs of Kleven in her capacity as Assistant Fire Chief, magazine and newspaper articles featuring Kleven, and event programs. Also included are campaign fliers from 2010 when Kleven ran for office to represent Assembly District 15 in the Nevada Legislature as well as two commemorative books celebrating the history of Las Vegas Fire & Rescue.
Archival Collection
The Bob Stoldal Collection of Nevada Sheet Music (approximately 1865-1995) contains the personal sheet music collection of Las Vegas, Nevada newsman and historian Bob Stoldal. This collection also contains digital scans of the sheet music covers.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Wilvera Leavitt conducted by Pat van Betten on October 30, 2012 for the History of Blue Diamond Village in Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Leavitt talks about growing up in the township of Arden, Nevada. She talked about her father’s employment for the Blue Diamond Mine, the water tower in Arden, and moving to Mesquite, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Vera Vann-Wilson conducted by Pat van Betten on September 24, 2006 for the History of Blue Diamond Village in Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Vann-Wilson discusses her early life and moving to Blue Diamond, Nevada in 1980. She remembers her career as a musician, the Blue Diamond village during the early 1980s, and riding horses. Vann-Wilson talks about straw-bale and adobe construction, becoming a teacher for the Clark County School District, and preserving historic areas in Blue Diamond.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Maynard Sloate conducted by Joyce Moore on June 12, 2007 for the All That Jazz Oral History Project. In this interview, Sloate discusses his early life in Los Angeles, California and his career as a jazz drummer. He remembers performing at the Tropicana, the Union Plaza, and becoming an entertainment director for production shows. Sloate describes the increases in price to attend a show in Las Vegas, and the use of taped music instead of live musicians. Lastly, Sloate talks about the challenges in making a career as a musician.
Archival Collection