Oral history interview with Debra Nutton conducted by David Schwartz on June 15, 2015 for the Table Games Management Oral History Project. In this interview, Nutton discusses her career in gaming. She talks about working at the MGM Grand in 1976, going to dealing school, and becoming one of the first female craps dealers in Las Vegas, Nevada. Nutton remembers auditioning for various casino floors, her teachers, and becoming a floor manager. She then recalls the opening of the MGM Mirage, applying for a pit manager position there, and being hired as the only female pit manager in 1989. Later, Nutton describes the role of casino shift manager, handling issues with customers, and begin a casino manager for twelve years. Lastly, Nutton discusses her move to meeting Steve Wynn and becoming a casino manager for the Wynn.
Archival Collection
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Oral history interview with Donna Silva conducted by Claytee D. White on February 6, 2023 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Silva recalls her childhood living in Los Angeles, California; Las Vegas, Nevada; Valdosta, Georgia; and Japan. When her family settled in Las Vegas, her family joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, but Silva later left the organization as a teenager. Throughout the interview, Silva recalls memories of the Rolling Stones, Steve Wynn, Elvis, and doing lighting work throughout the city as the first female to join the stagehand's union. Silva's work in the hotel/casino industry provides insight in work on the casino floor and behind the curtains of entertainment venues. She worked as a cocktail waitress, cigarette girl, and then backstage as a member of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees. Her passion later turned to working with the Rape Crisis Center, where Silva has acquired training that allows her to go to hospitals to assist patients.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Kent Carmichael conducted by Stefani Evans on November 25 and December 2, 2019 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project.
In the first session of this oral history, Carmichael discusses his early career in lighting design and maintenance from his start at Interstate Neon to his work in the 1950s and 60s in Las Vegas. He discusses some of the iconic signs he built including the Casino Center, Carnival Room, Thunderbird, The Frontier, Bonanza, and the Stardust. He also details the technology and inner workings of these innovative signs including the transition from mechanical to electrically controlled signage. Carmichael continues to discuss Native American laborers and various individuals that he interacted with throughout his early career including Max and Mo Oggenblick, Doby Doc, Benny Binion, Arby Alper, Steve Wynn, Peter Arp, and Wayne and Jerry Newton. Carmichael ends the first interview by recalling a high wind event that damaged the Frontier sign and his efforts to bring the sign under control and repair it as well as his vision and behind the Stardust sign.
The second oral history interview contains Carmichael’s discussion of his career from 1968 onward. He immediately picks up discussion of the Stardust sign and his transition to desk work. Carmichael details the challenge and limitations of designing the International sign (the Westgate as of 2021). He describes the development of his first messenger sign for the International and the time consuming task of using tape to program the sign. He fondly remembers working on the Holiday Inn Riverboat signs, and International transition to Las Vegas Hilton and the Hilton’s transition from blue to red letters. Carmichael shares the story of being caught between organized crime and a young Steve Wynn. He recounts his last project for Ad Art, developing and construction the sign for the Louisiana Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. He details working through legislative and construction issues as well as the fallout from the Nat Kiefer Commission.
After leaving Ad Art Carmichael began working with Heath and Co. and began collaborating with Raul Rodriguez. Carmichael and Rodriguez went on to design some of the most enduring and visually unique signs in Las Vegas including, the Flamingo, Four Queens, Golden Nugget, Dunes Hotel, and the Desert Inn. They also worked in Reno on Circus Circus and El Dorado. Carmichael also details his interior work including the main pylon and interior signs for MGM Grand; 1974 renovation Golden Nugget, suspended stained glass ceiling at Tropicana, and the MGM Lion display. Lastly Carmichael outlined his work with Young Electric Sign 1983-85 and the Dewey Sign Company including the Las Vegas Convention Center sign. He ends by sharing his views on the role and importance of lighting in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
The Jerde Partnership Records (1992) is comprised of architectural planning documents used for designing the Fremont Street Experience and Treasure Island Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada. Design records for the Fremont Street Experience include concept proposals, sketches, notes, brochures, and a presentation book. Also included are copies of handwritten design notes and sketches and a drawing schedule for the Treasure Island Hotel and Casino.
Archival Collection
The MGM Mirage Corporation Records date from 1970 to 2010 and consist of the records of the Las Vegas, Nevada based global entertainment company. The collection contains organizational records, employee newsletters, files about the MGM Mirage diversity and inclusion initiative, correspondence, reports on gambling addiction, gambling statistics, press clippings, and audiovisual materials. There are also photographs, photographic slides, and photographic negatives of performers, corporate executives, and MGM Mirage properties.
Archival Collection
Moving Image
Special "Global Noon Hour" segment on Las Vegas, specifically the Stardust Hotel. Begins with the host asking Jim Seagrave (Vice President of Operations) questions about the hotel/casino inside the casino. Seagrave gives some history to the hotel, and talks about how much it has grown and changed. He speaks about the "Lido" being the longest running show until it closed at 1991, and also discusses their location on the Strip being an exciting place to be at the moment with Steve Wynn's new project being constructed. They talk about about new features, including themed slot machines and million-dollar jackpots.The host then speaks with a Stardust dealer who walks through various games, including craps and blackjack. He speaks with a pit boss, who explains what they do and a bit about the Stardust player's club. They visit the Stardust Race and Sports Book, and discuss how it works and which sports are most popular. The next segment the host speaks with the general manager and hosts of William B's, a fine dining establishment. The host speaks with a waiter who has been with the restaurant since 1963, and he shares celebrities who have dined at the restaurant over the years. The final segment of the show takes a look inside some of the hotel's high-roller suites and the amenities that they include. Original media VHS, color, aspect ratio 4 x 3, frame size 720 x 486.
Archival Component
Mark Scheiner was hired by Steve Wynn, then Chairman of Mirage Resorts, Inc. as an executive at the Golden Nugget Hotel/Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey. In 1992, Mark ascended to the position of Executive Vice President of Mirage Resorts. Mark formed his own company in 1998, Gaming Development Group.
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