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
Oral history interview with Judith Harrell conducted by Lois Goodall on November 19, 2013 for the West Charleston Neighborhoods: an Oral History Project of Ward 1. In this interview, Harrell discusses growing up in Fitzgerald, Georgia, later moving to Houston, Texas, and her high school experience in Houston. She describes moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1961, attending Nevada Southern University (now University of Nevada, Las Vegas), and teaching at E.W. Griffith Elementary School. Lastly, Harrell recalls moving to the Westside of Las Vegas, teaching at Paradise Elementary School, and recreational activities she participated in.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Irene Tabor conducted by Claytee D. White on July 03, 2014 for the West Charleston Neighborhoods: an Oral History Project of Ward 1. In this interview, Tabor discusses growing up in Honolulu, Hawaii, her father’s employment with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1947. She talks about being a teenager in Las Vegas, attending Las Vegas High School, and the businesses on Fifth Street. Tabor recalls her employment at the Dunes Hotel and Casino as a wardrobe artist for showgirls. Lastly, Tabor discusses activities she participated in as part of the Girl Scouts, her involvement in the sorority Beta Sigma Phi, and changes in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Dorothy Eisenberg conducted by Barbara Tabach on October 23, 2014 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. In this interview, Eisenberg discusses her childhood in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania during the Great Depression, her religious upbringing, and attending Hebrew school. She talks about her early passion for civic involvement, attending Temple University, and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1964. Eisenberg then discusses Temple Beth Sholom Las Vegas, receiving a teaching certificate at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and her involvement with the League of Women Voters. Lastly, Eisenberg recalls her participation with school desegregation, her involvement with the Public Education Foundation, and having a school named in her honor.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Doug Unger conducted by Barbara Tabach on August 26, 2014 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. In this interview, Unger discusses his upbringing in Cleveland, Ohio, working at a family-owned mattress factory, and attending boarding school in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He recalls joining Jewish youth groups in Cleveland, his employment with Sealy Corporation, and buying his own mattress factory in Las Vegas, Nevada. Unger then talks about being invited to a Jewish Federation meeting, attending Temple Beth Sholom and Congregation Ner Tamid, and becoming more involved with the Jewish Federation (currently known as Jewish Nevada). Lastly, Unger discusses being co-chair of the Holocaust Library committee, fundraising for the Jewish Federation, and obtaining funding from Governor Brian Sandoval for the Jewish Federation.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jane McCarthy conducted by Claytee D. White on November 06, 2006 for the UNLV @ 50 Oral History Project. In this interview, McCarthy discusses her involvement with the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) College of Education and their outreach program with the Navajo Nation. She explains that UNLV professors visit the reservation and offer graduate classes to teachers. McCarthy describes the reservation she visited, doing her sabbatical on the reservation in 2002, and the challenges that come with teaching Navajo children. Later, McCarthy recalls how she became involved with the Accelerated Schools Project, starting her career at Stanford University, and the differences between Stanford and UNLV. Lastly, McCarthy talks about the No Child Left Behind Act and the shortage of teachers in the Clark County School District (CCSD).
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with John Pacheco conducted by Laurents Bañuelos-Benitez on June 24, 2019 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Pacheco discusses his upbringing in Las Vegas, Nevada and his family’s origins in Mexico and California. He describes why his parents moved to Las Vegas, residential segregation in the city, and his experiences attending Rancho High School. Pacheco then recalls joining the Latin Chamber of Commerce in the early 1970s. He talks about his sign making business, Pons Sign Company, and describes making a sign for the Venetian Restaurant and other local businesses. Later, Pacheco discusses the history of the Arts District, his contributions in the construction of The Healing Garden, and changes in the Las Vegas art scene. He talks about the future of the Latinx community in Las Vegas, Downtown Las Vegas developments, and local artistic talents. Lastly, Pacheco explains what it means to be a Las Vegas native.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ellen Barre Spiegel conducted by Barbara Tabach on December 04, 2017 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. In this interview, Spiegel discusses her family’s origins in Eastern Europe, growing up in Jericho, New York, and being raised as a conservative Jew. She talks about attending Cornell University, majoring in consumer economics, and completing an internship with American Express. Spiegel explains how she became involved in Las Vegas, Nevada politics, being elected as Assemblywoman for District 20 in 2008, and the redistricting of Assembly Districts 20, 22, and 29. Later, Spiegel explains her position on the board of the Green Valley Ranch Master Association and recalls her successes from the 2017 legislature. Lastly, Spiegel talks about her involvement with the National Association of Jewish Legislators.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Marcy and Jack Simon conducted by Barbara Tabach on May 16, 2018 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. In this interview, Marcy and Jack discuss their personal backgrounds and meeting one another in Los Angeles, California in 1964. Jack talks about his work building homes in the San Fernando Valley, earning a contractors license, and how Marcy became involved in the contracting business. The two then recall the formation of their electrical company, Expo-Tech Electrical and Plumbing, being the electrical contractors for the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, and moving their business headquarters to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1994. Later, Marcy and Jack recall their involvement in the Las Vegas Jewish community and the Jewish Federation (now known as Jewish Nevada). The two describe purchasing Commercial Casino in Elko, Nevada and selling their casino operations in 2005. Lastly, they discuss their involvement with the Jewish Family Services Agency.
Archival Collection
The Tom Hribar Collection of Nevada Southern University Memorabilia (1965-1967) is comprised of newspaper clippings, programs, and publications primarily created by the Confederated Students of Nevada Southern (CSNS) that were collected by Tom Hribar, the former student body president of Nevada Southern University (NSU). Publications include student handbooks and directories. Also included are copies of publications such as
Archival Collection