Oral history interview with Donn Blake conducted by George Kostic on April 17, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Blake discusses his role as a Special Projects Coordinator for the City of Las Vegas, Nevada and the various roles he held in historical preservation. Blake also discusses how Las Vegas has grown and evolved over the years. He describes the changes in airport locations over time and mentions the need for historical preservation.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Corey Nyman conducted by Claytee D. White on May 04, 2018 for the Remembering 1 October Oral History Project. In this interview, Nyman recalls his high school and college experiences, and working in Las Vegas, Nevada as a young adult. On October 1, 2017, Nyman attended the Route 91 Country Music Festival with his brother and a group of friends. They enjoyed the concert from the Red Bull VIP suite, which Nyman felt helped them escape bullets as he and his friends helped others escape. About three hours after escaping the venue, they arrived at Tropicana Avenue and Koval Lane where their ride picked them up. The driver was one of the last allowed into the area under the airport underpass. Nyman discusses his feelings since the shooting, and states that he loves the city and has made it his home despite the traumatic events of the night.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jimmy Mulidore conducted by Claytee D. White on March 23, 2009 for the All That Jazz Oral History Project. Mulidore discusses his career as a jazz musician in Las Vegas, Nevada and working with musicians such as Sammy Davis, Jr., the Rat Pack, and Nat King Cole. He also discusses working in the El Rancho Hotel and Casino before the fire, and going on tour with the Billy May Band.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Richard Ham conducted by Dennis McBride on January 18, 2002 for the Las Vegas Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Archives Oral History Project. In this interview, Ham discusses the assault of Nevada Supreme Court Justice Frank McNamee in 1965. Ham describes being accused by McNamee of being a communist, McNamee's sexuality, and how McNamee was able to succeed politically despite being a gay man. He continues, discussing the history of the trial following McNamee's assault, and also describes other aspects of Nevada's political history during that time. Ham concludes by discussing being gay and some of his sexual experiences with men.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Tom Ehlen conducted by Lisa Gioia-Acres on January 10, 2008 for the All That Jazz Oral History Project. Ehlen recalls his career as a professional trumpet player including playing with the Glenn Miller Orchestra, Frank Sinatra, Burt Bacharach, and others. He also discusses playing in the bands of various casinos on the Las Vegas, Nevada Strip.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Michael Maxwell conducted by Claytee D. White on February 25, 2014 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Maxwell discusses his personal history and his role as Director of Early Childhood Connection with the Las Vegas, Nevada Urban League. He describes the work he does with childcare, and how the Urban League receives funding. Maxwell also recalls his career as a teacher and administrator for the Clark County School District (CCSD). Later, Maxwell talks about the issue of school zoning in West Las Vegas, how people qualify for childcare subsidies, and the school-to-prison pipeline that many African American youth face. Lastly, Maxwell discusses the importance of having educated children in the African American community and the development of the Westside.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Bernadine Brunson conducted by Aaron Louis Koshan on March 02, 2006 for the Public School Principalship Oral History Project. In this interview, Dr. Brunson reflects upon her 33-year career within the Michigan public school system as a teacher and administrator. She describes how following retirement in Michigan, she decided to move to Las Vegas, Nevada. Upon moving to Las Vegas, she became a principal with the Clark County School District, and also taught at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). She discusses the differences between public school systems in Michigan and Nevada, and what she believes are the strengths and weaknesses of both.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Darrin Bush conducted by Claytee D. White on June 30, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. Bush discusses photographing Las Vegas, Nevada over a 25-year period for the Las Vegas News Bureau. He also talks about the importance of implosions, cruising Fremont Street, and growing up in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Quincella Rivers conducted by Claytee D. White on November 20, 2019 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Quincella Rivers began by talking about where she grew up, her family life and history with the arts, and her childhood. She recalls moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1979 to finish college at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and talks about different jobs and organizations she has participated in. Rivers serves as co-chair of the Youth in Arts for Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) Sorority, President of the Las Vegas Society, Inc., Advisory Board of Forgotten Song Foundation, and sings with Sweet Adeline International. She talks about the histories of some of the organizations, how she helped out in each of them, what their goals were, and what they did for the community. Lastly, she talks about racism in Las Vegas in the past and her personal experience with racism and segregation.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ernie Lomprey conducted by Chris Tonemah on July 11, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Lomprey moved from Wisconsin to Henderson, Nevada in 1949 because his father was stationed at Nellis Air Force Base towards the end of World War II. He discusses his childhood, education, and eventual work as a cement mason and firefighter.
Archival Collection