Skip to main content

Search the Special Collections and Archives Portal

Search Results

Display    Results Per Page
Displaying results 621 - 630 of 651

Steven Kwon oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03928

Abstract

Oral history interview with Steven Kwon conducted by Stefani Evans on October 1, 2024 for the Reflections: the Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project. In this interview, Kwon begins by describing his childhood in Seoul, Korea as the youngest of three children during the Korean conflict. In 1960, he served his compulsory military service, which was 18 months for students. In 1964, he followed a friend's recommendation to go to Denmark and attend the folk high school (now the International People's College) to immerse himself in the Danish language, history, and community. He spent one year at the folk high school and later attended the College of Building Technology at the University of Denmark. While he was in his final year, Las Vegas, Nevada architect James McDaniel recruited him to join his firm, which he did in December 1974. After working with McDaniel for one year, he joined Jack Miller Associates for three years and David Welles/Architronics before opening his own design/build firm, GKG Builders in 1986, which he claims was the first Las Vegas firm to offer both services. Soon after arriving in Las Vegas, he joined the Lions Club and Rotary International and, in 1986 created Southern Nevada's first Asian Chamber of Commerce. He also worked with various politicians at different levels of government to encourage South Korean investment in Las Vegas and Nevada, eventually forming a sister-city relationship between Las Vegas, Nevada, and An San, Korea. Lastly, Kwon recalls how he came to design and build the International Peace Education Center (IPEC) on Bermuda Road for the Reverend Sun Myung Moon, founder of the Unification Church, shortly before Moon passed away.

Archival Collection

John R. Klai II, FAIA Papers

Identifier

MS-01204

Abstract

The John R. Klai II, FAIA Papers (1983-2024) are comprised of the personal papers of American architect, John R. Klai II, FAIA. Materials include commendations presented to Klai for his achievements in the architecture and interior design profession from organizations like AIA Las Vegas; the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards (NCARB); and the Nevada State Board of Architecture, Interior Design and Residential Design. The collection also includes digital images of plaques and trophies presented to Klai for his philanthropic work in the Las Vegas community. The professional files in this collection include publications featuring the work of Klai Juba Wald architecture + interiors, Klai's 2015 AIA Fellowship submission portfolio, magazine features about Klai, and a commemorative photo book of Klai Hall at North Dakota State University. Also included are a small number of Klai's personal sports memorabilia, including tickets for NCAA men's basketball tournaments in 1987 and 1989.

Archival Collection

Martin Stern Architectural Records

Identifier

MS-00382

Abstract

The collection is comprised of drawings (1950-1990) completed by American architect Martin Stern and/or his architectural firm, Martin Stern Jr., AIA Architect and Associates, and contains 400 cubic feet of materials including 710 drawings from over 300 different projects involving over 100 buildings. Stern’s work focused on the resort centers of Las Vegas, Nevada; Reno, Nevada; Lake Tahoe, Stateline, Nevada; and Atlantic City, New Jersey. The materials feature hand-drawn architectural drawings, ranging from pencil and ink on tracing paper preliminary sketches to ink on Mylar (TM) construction documents, and a number of artist’s renderings, used for presentations and promotional materials. The drawings also contain work from a number of consultants, engineers, and other architects who collaborated on the development of the various projects. The collection includes architectural drawings for: hotels, casinos, integrated casino resorts, office towers, multi-family residential developments, and custom single-family homes.

Archival Collection

Nat Hart Professional Papers

Identifier

MS-00419

Abstract

The Nat Hart Professional Papers contain the business records, personal papers, and photographs of Las Vegas, Nevada chef and restaurateur Nat Hart, who served as the Corporate Vice-President of Food and Beverage for Caesars World in the 1970s and 1980s. Papers date from 1930 to 2000 and include restaurant training and service manuals, business proposals, architectural drawings, recipe cards, cookbooks, menu specifications, photographs, scrapbooks, awards, news releases, and correspondence.

Archival Collection

Harry Hayden Whiteley Architectural Records

Identifier

MS-00134

Abstract

The Harry Hayden Whiteley Architectural Records are comprised of architectural records (1931-1970) created and/or maintained by the American architect Harry Hayden Whiteley and/or his architectural firm, known as Harry Hayden Whiteley and Associates. This collection includes 30.21 linear feet of materials including 45 items from over 30 projects. The collection focuses on his work in the Las Vegas and Reno, Nevada areas. The materials feature both architectural drawings and project files. Architectural drawings include pencil and ink on tracing paper preliminary sketches and mounted artist’s renderings used for presentations and promotional materials. Project files include project correspondence, photographs, and structural calculations. The drawings also contain work from the architect Paul Revere Williams. The collection includes architectural drawings for hotels, shopping plazas, residential developments, and office buildings.

Archival Collection

Myron Martin and Don Snyder oral history interviews

Identifier

OH-03349

Abstract

Oral history interviews with Martin Myron and Don Snyder conducted by Stefani Evans on November 30, 2017, December 06, 2017, and March 08, 2018 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. Myron G. Martin, President and CEO, and Donald D. Snyder, Chairman of the Board of Directors, share their memories of the founding of The Smith Center for the Performing Arts. Martin recalls his upbringing in Texas and his education in music and business at Golden Gate University. He came to Las Vegas after a fifteen-year career with the Baldwin Piano Company to be the Executive Director of the Liberace Foundation. Martin describes how he became President of University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) Performing Arts Center and later President of the Las Vegas Performing Arts Center Foundation in 1999. Martin and Snyder talk about how the Smith Center came to be, fund raising, the design process for the performing arts complex, and notable people and organizations that were involved. They also discuss the overall programming at the Smith Center, and who performed on opening night.

Archival Collection

Dave Pugsley oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02870

Abstract

Oral history interview with Dave Pugsley conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on October 21, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Pugsley discusses his early life in Salt Lake City, Utah and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1963. He talks about his father’s employment with Young Electric Sign Company (YESCO) and the Nevada Test Site. Pugsley recalls his initial interest in architecture, drawing a construction document for the Home Builders Association while in high school, and attending the University of Utah for a degree in architecture. Pugsley then talks about building planning for schools in Clark County, the process of designing a school, and the challenges that arise. Lastly, Pugsley discusses building planning for Lied Library and the William S. Boyd School of Law at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV).

Archival Collection

Judy and Harry Campbell oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02853

Abstract

Oral history interview with Judy and Harry Campbell conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on October 04, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Judy discusses her early life in St. John’s, Newfoundland and her move to Ottawa, Canada. Harry discusses his upbringing in Ogden, Utah and his initial interests in architecture. He recalls moving to Las Vegas, Nevada to work for architect Julius Gabriel, construction planning for the Four Queens, and planning for the home of Jerry Mack. Later, Judy talks about her move to Boulder City, Nevada in 1974, her involvement in interior design, and her initial interests in residential real estate. Later, Harry recalls his work with the construction planning of federal court rooms, working with Las Vegas architects, and the process of becoming a licensed architect. Lastly, Judy and Harry talk about the development of Lake Las Vegas.

Archival Collection

Edward Vance oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02833

Abstract

Oral history interview with Edward Vance conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on September 16, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Vance discusses his upbringing in Redfield, South Dakota. He talks about his move to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1987, teaching architectural drawing at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), and the first projects he worked on in Las Vegas. Vance describes the financial aspects of architecture, the challenges of meeting building regulations, and benefits that new buildings bring to city life. Lastly, Vance discusses founding Ed Vance & Associates Architects.

Archival Collection

Melvin Green oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02840

Abstract

Oral history interview with Melvin Green conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on September 23, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Green discusses his upbringing in Louisiana and growing up in a family of farmers. He recalls moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1983, working for Nevada Partners, and his involvement in the redevelopment of the Westside School. Green talks about his architect firm, KME Architects, and lists projects his company has worked on in Las Vegas. Lastly, Green describes presenting new designs to community members and partnering with church leaders to build community housing.

Archival Collection