The Insignia Films Research for the "American Experience: Las Vegas - An Unconventional History" collection (1968, 2004-2005) contains photocopied research material, primarily drawn from Nevada newspapers, photographic prints, Betacam and VHS videotapes with interviews and footage used in the Public Broadcasting System (PBS) series "American Experience: Las Vegas - An Unconventional History," created for the Las Vegas Centennial, Las Vegas, Nevada. Also included are original issues of Look magazine with Las Vegas, Nevada coverage, and a United States Freedom of Information Act (USFOIA) report on Tony Spilotro.
Archival Collection
The Dorothy Keeler Papers (1811-1977) document early Las Vegas history, the life and career of former United States Mint director Eva Adams, and contain images of the Western United States and Southern Nevada in the 1930s. The collection contains clippings on the history of Las Vegas and early Las Vegas weddings as well as photographs documenting the Keelers' travels throughout the Western United States and the construction and dedication of Hoover Dam.
Archival Collection
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The Bob Friedlander Jazz Music Manuscripts (approximately 1960-1980) are comprised of music manuscripts arranged by Bob Friedlander and collected by the Arnold Shaw Popular Music Research Center at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) in Las Vegas, Nevada. Some titles are photocopies of the original manuscript. Friedlander arranged for big band musicians such as Harry James, Sam Donahue, Richard Maltby, Ralph Flanagan, and Johnny Long.
Archival Collection
Louis Prima (1910-1978) was an American singer, songwriter, trumpeter, bandleader, and actor during the mid-20th century. He was known for performing jazz, swing, and jump blues music. Using his background from New Orleans and his Italian heritage to shape his distinctive sound, he encouraged other performers at the time to embrace their ethnic heritage. He frequently performed with his wife, Keely Smith, at the height of his popularity.
Person
Mixed Content
The C. A. Earle Rinker Photograph Collection of Goldfield, Nevada (approximately 1900-1915) contains individual black-and-white photographic prints, photographic albums, black-and-white and tinted postcards, and photographic negatives that document the history of early twentieth century Goldfield, Nevada. The images include photographic prints of Goldfield and surrounding areas during its peak years of 1906-1910; postcards showing scenes of Goldfield, Tonopah, and other areas in central Nevada; and negatives that contain images of Rinker's family and homelife in Indiana and Illinois.
Archival Collection
Ron Lawrence is one of the busiest people in the gay community, so I want him to know how much I appreciate his reserving time for me so that I could complete this oral history interview. The importance of his work toward the well-being of the gay community in Las Vegas cannot be measured, and much of what he's accomplished and otherwise made possible will live long after he leaves us. With Ron's consent to this interview, our knowledge of Nevada's gay history is greatly enriched and our record preserved.
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For nearly two decades between 1950 and 1970, only one dentist of Jewish ancestry was known to be licensed to practice in Nevada. That was Dr. Joe Chenin. Finally, in 1971, the steadfast and easy mannered Dr. David R. Wasserman (1944 - ) broke through the barrier to become the second Jewish dentist serving the Las Vegas community. Over the following years, Dr. Wasserman built a sizeable following and immersed himself in the Jewish community of Las Vegas. Among his achievements is his participation and leadership in the formation of Las Vegas’ first Reform Jewish synagogue, Congregation Ner Tamid. He also would be active in the Jewish Federation. In 1992, as the HIV-AIDS epidemic affected dental offices throughout the nation, Dr. Wasserman saw an opportunity to get ahead of the infection. With the help of his wife Juanita Davis-Wasserman and his father-in-law Warren Davis, he developed, patented, manufactured and distributed a disposable tip for a treatment instrument commonly found in dental offices called a tri-syringe. This disposable tip brought sanitary options and great financial fortune to Dr. Wasserman and his family. In this oral history, Dr. Wasserman reflects on his joy of living in Las Vegas. He is a highly regarded dentist and leader in the Jewish community.
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