Oral history interview with Essie Henderson and Alversa Beals conducted by Claytee D. White on November 23, 2007 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Henderson discusses her upbringing in Chatfield, Texas and her family, who were farmworkers. Beals talks about her early life in Sondheimer, Louisiana, moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1955, and her employment as a maid at the Flamingo Hilton. Henderson then recalls her first job as a hotel maid, the businesses on the Westside, and describes popular night clubs during the late 1960s. Lastly, Beals and Henderson describe the Welfare Rights Movement that took place in Las Vegas during the 1970s.
Archival Collection
The Las Vegas Jazz Society Records (approximately 1975-2003) are comprised of organizational records including meeting agendas, minutes, and membership statistics of the Las Vegas Jazz Society (LVJS). Included in the collection are issues of the LVJS's newsletter Jazz Notes, promotional materials, blank membership applications, correspondence, information on other regional jazz societies, and photographic prints depicting various events and festivals. A portion of this collection documents LVJS's involvement in saving the KUNV 91.5 FM radio station.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Maxine Butler conducted by Frank Johnson on April 22, 2016 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Butler discusses her early life in Jonesboro, Louisiana. She talks about moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1965, the Westside, and businesses on Jackson Street. Butler recalls working at The Cove as a cocktail waitress, the reopening of Moulin Rouge Hotel, and the African American community on the Westside. Later, Butler discusses her involvement at Greater Evergreen Missionary Baptist Church, the importance of church to the African American community, and compares church life in Jonesboro and Las Vegas. Lastly, Butler talks about changes in the Westside.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Oneil Madden conducted by Yasmine Shahar and Taylor Burk on March 31, 2016 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Madden discusses his upbringing in Montreal, Canada. He talks about his religious family background, being involved in church activities, and his involvement with church youth programs. Madden describes food banks organized by the churches, tutoring services for children, and explains the significance of the Sabbath. Lastly, Madden discusses his role as pastor of Abundant Life Seventh-Day Adventist Church in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
The MGM Grand Hotel Fire Photographs (1980) is comprised of twenty-eight photographic prints of the MGM Grand Hotel fire, which occurred on November 21, 1980. Photographs show the hotel-casino on fire as well as the resulting damages to the property. The photographs were taken by the Tracinda Corporation which was MGM Grand Hotel owner Kirk Kerkorian's investment holding company.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Gloria Hewitt conducted by Claytee D. White on June 21, 2016 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Hewitt discusses her early life in Cleveland, Ohio. She recalls attending Talladega College in Alabama, her teaching experience in Chicago, Illinois, and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1991. Hewitt talks about her interests in politics, organizing an event to register people to vote, and being a founding member of the Southern Nevada Coalition of Concerned Women (SNCCW). Lastly, Hewitt discusses the importance of education and parental involvement in schools.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Everlena Brown conducted by Claytee D. White on June 15, 2016 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Brown discusses her upbringing in Moro, Arkansas and moving to Little Rock, Arkansas. She talks about the Little Rock Nine students and her experience attending a segregated school for African Americans. Brown recalls attending Clark County Community College (now College of Southern Nevada) and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), becoming a nurse, and the process of applying for nursing positions. Later, Brown discusses living in the Westside, entertainment on Jackson Street, and participating in church activities. Lastly, Brown describes changes in the Westside.
Archival Collection
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
Oral history interview with John Perazzo conducted by Claytee D. White on June 16, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Perazzo discusses his upbringing in Las Vegas, Nevada. He talks about attending Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California to obtain a degree mathematics and computer science. Perazzo then recalls his father's work in architecture and his father's employment at the Nevada Test Site. Later, Perazzo discusses becoming a card dealer at the El Cortez Hotel and Casino and describes the challenges in working at casinos. Lastly, Perazzo talks about the development of Fremont Street.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with John J. Lee conducted by Claytee D. White on June 15, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Lee discusses his upbringing in North Las Vegas, Nevada. He talks about his initial interest in politics, being elected to the State Assembly District 3 and the Nevada State Senate. Lee describes the economic issues in North Las Vegas, running for Mayor of North Las Vegas, and being elected Mayor in 2013. Later, Lee discusses changes that he implemented as Mayor, obtaining permission to build new homes in North Las Vegas, and describes working with other Nevada politicians. Lastly, Lee talks about diversifying North Las Vegas.
Archival Collection