Oral history interview with Dorothy Kelsey conducted by James M. Greene on January 20, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. This interview covers the early days of Nelson, Searchlight, and Las Vegas, Nevada, as Kelsey offers an in-depth personal narrative on the life of a local. The interview concludes with a discussion on hotels and casinos.
Oral history interview with Carl Woodbury conducted by Patricia Jolly on February 01, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Woodbury shares his experiences working throughout Southern Nevada, including at the State Treasure office, Basic Magnesium Plant, and The Review Journal.
Oral history interview with Catherine Perroitti conducted by Steven Labonte on February 27, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Perroitti describes her personal history in Las Vegas, Nevada and how the city has changed over time. Perroitti describes her perception of the increase in crime and drugs present in the city over time. Perroitti discusses her work on the Senior Citizens' Advisory Board in Las Vegas and the importance of older generations, as well as her career as a registered nurse. Perroitti also discusses veterans legislation and the needs of veterans after they returned home from deployment.
Oral history interview with Mayer Jacob (Chic) Hecht conducted by Julie Sefman on April 02, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview Chic Hecht discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1945. He also talks about the retail business world, being a state senator, being a U.S. senator, and being an ambassador to the island nation of the Bahamas.
Oral history interview with Elizabeth Casper conducted by Adrienne Revell on March 05, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Casper discusses Las Vegas, Nevada’s history of education customs, discrimination in busing, art competitions, and religion from 1946 to 1976.
Oral history interview with Ray Ruff conducted by Scott Benjamin on March 13, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Ruff discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada from Chicago, Illinois in 1954. Ruff also discusses his employment and the environment at the Desert Inn Hotel. Ruff later discusses golf and Las Vegas politicians.
Oral history interview with Harriet Trudell conducted by Claytee D. White on April 19, 2007 for the UNLV University Libraries Oral History Project. Trudell begins by describing her early history and the powerful influence of her father on her life, beliefs, and politics. She continues talking about politicians that she admires from Hubert Humphrey to Harry Reid, and her desire to work to improve the lives of the marginalized. She relates early education to make her a "southern lady" and her rejection of the concept, as well as her later education in Florida and beginning to lobby for the labor unions. She discusses her marriage and move to Las Vegas, Nevada, her career working for the presidential campaign of Vice President Hubert Humphrey in 1968, and the campaign for Senator George McGovern in 1972. Trudell describes Nevada as a conservative state, and explains what she means saying Nevada was the "Mississippi of the West." Trudell also discusses working for Nevada Governor Mike O'Callaghan, the Democratic Party, her ancestors who fought in the American Civil War, and prominent moments in United States political history. Trudell concludes by describing her involvement in the women's movement and why she felt it was important.
Oral history interview with Beverly Mathis conducted by Claytee D. White on July 20, 2016 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Mathis discusses her early life in Trenton, Tennessee. She talks about experiencing discrimination, the importance of voting, and attending the University of Tennessee at Martin. Mathis describes moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1976 and being an African American elementary teacher at the time. Lastly, Mathis discusses her thoughts on education in Nevada.
Oral history interview with Dan Bennett conducted by Guy Pence on October 03, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. During this interview Bennett talks about the visits from presidents and other important people to the Las Vegas, Nevada area and discusses the 1942 plane crash of Carole Lombard’s plane. He also mentions Boulder Dam and describes the economic, social and environmental changes that have taken place in Southern Nevada over the years.
Oral history interview with Vee Wilson conducted by Connie Malin on April 12, 2003 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Wilson reflects upon his 30-year career as a teacher and administrator with Nevada’s Clark County School District (CCSD) from the 1960s to the 1990s. He discusses his approach to school administration, and the importance of working relationships with students, staff, and parents.