Search the Special Collections and Archives Portal
Search Results
Charles A. Baumert oral history interview
Identifier
Abstract
Oral history interview with Charles A. Baumert conducted by James M. Greene on October 31, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Bauret discusses the Hoover Dam construction, Boulder City, Nevada history, and the closing of Six Companies Inc. operations at Hoover Dam.
Archival Collection
Louis Family oral history interviews
Identifier
Abstract
Oral history interviews with the family of Joe Louis conducted by Claytee D. White on November 18, 2014 and February 06, 2015 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In these interviews, the family of Joe Louis discuss his life and career as a famous African American boxer from the 1930s to 1950s. They describe charity fights he held to raise money for the Navy Relief Fund during World War II, which later became an issue for him when the Internal Revenue Service claimed he still owed taxes on the money he raised despite it being donated. The family discusses what it was like growing up and meeting celebrity friends of Louis', such as Frank Sinatra and Muhammad Ali, Louis' involvement with the Moulin Rouge Hotel-Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada, and Louis' status as an African American sports hero. They also detail his eventual retirement from boxing, his job working as a greeter at Caesars Palace, and his death.
Archival Collection
Daniel Leroy Lewis oral history interview
Identifier
Abstract
Oral history interview with Daniel Leroy Lewis conducted by his son, Dan Lewis, on February 27, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Daniel Leroy Lewis discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in May of 1953. Daniel Leroy Lewis describes life in early Las Vegas, Nevada as well as its history.
Archival Collection
Patricia Lee oral history interview
Identifier
Abstract
Oral history interview with Patricia Lee conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee White on September 19, 2023 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Lee begins the interview by discussing her childhood in Daegu, South Korea, born to a Black American father and a Korean mother. Patricia Lee arrived in the United States with her parents as a young child when the U.S. Air Force transferred her father to Vandenburg Air Force Base in California. Lee was seven when her father left. With her mother speaking no English, Lee was responsible for her family's food stamps and social services even as they endured serial evictions and homelessness that included a stay in a shelter for abused women. In middle school, Upward Bound was Lee's "game-changer." As she had in high school, Lee immersed herself in student life and academics at the University of Southern California, while also working several jobs. After graduation, she worked at the California Science Center Museum before entering law school at George Washington University. She graduated in May 2002, shortly after the legal profession had lost several top law firms that had been headquartered in New York City's Twin Towers. When she accepted an offer from Las Vegas firm Hutchison & Steffen, she became the firm's first woman attorney and first attorney of color; seven years later, she became the firm's first woman partner and first partner of color. Lee was appointed to the bench of the Supreme Court of Nevada in November 2022 by Governor Steve Sisolak.
Archival Collection
David Ober oral history interview
Identifier
Abstract
Oral history interview with David Ober conducted by Stefani Evans on October 11, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Ober discusses his upbringing in Tucson, Arizona and talks about his parents’ careers. He recalls moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1989 to work for his father’s home building business, R. A. Homes, and opening his real estate company, Jorant Commercial. Ober describes joining Temple Beth Sholom, his involvement with the Southern Nevada Home Builders Association, and developing the Desert Shores community. Later, Ober discusses his mother’s career as a teacher in the Clark County School District (CCSD) and her contributions in designing the first program for visually impaired students. Lastly, Ober talks about CCSD naming a school in honor of his parents.
Archival Collection
Kimberly Harney-Moore oral history interview
Identifier
Abstract
Oral history interview with Kimberly Harney-Moore conducted by Claytee White on June 16, 2010 for the Voices of the Historic John S. Park Neighborhood Oral History Project. In her interview, Harney-Moore discusses being raised in the John S. Park Neighborhood with her three siblings in the 1960s and 70s.
Archival Collection
Reika Sun oral history interview
Identifier
Abstract
Oral history interview with Reika Sun conducted by Kristel Peralta on June 21, 2021 for Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project.
Reika Sun discusses her childhood in Shanghai, China during the "one-child policy" and her upbringing by nannies while her parents worked. She shares how her family immmigrated to Las Vegas in 2009 to reunite with Reika's aunt and how Reika moved to Kansas to attend an English as a Second Language (ESL) program at Kansas State University. Reika also talks about her restaurant employment history after returning to Las Vegas, her membership in the Culinary Workers Union, and Chinese traditions and superstitions she grew up learning.
Archival Collection