Oral history interview with Sarah Serna conducted by Dennis McBride on December 04, 1998 for the Las Vegas Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Archives Oral History Project. Serna opens her interview by discussing her move to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1993, and her first assignment as a Methodist minister to a small congregation in North Las Vegas. Serna then explains how she became involved in LGBT social justice issues after witnessing expressions of homophobia and prejudice within her church. She discusses her involvement with the Las Vegas LGBT community and the development of a pastoral care outreach program, the development of the World AIDS Day prayer vigil, and the foundation of the Community Counseling Center, later renamed Lighthouse Ministry. Serna then talks about her decision to transition from the Methodist Church to the Episcopalian Church and becoming the first Episcopalian priest in Las Vegas to bless same-sex marriages. She also discusses the development of a transitional housing program, changes in the LGBT community in Las Vegas, and many individuals involved in LGBT social justice programs in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Michael Mack conducted by Claytee D. White on May 21, 2009 for the Voices of the Historic John S. Park Neighborhood Oral History Project. Mack discusses his childhood memories living in and near the John S. Park Neighborhood, including his father opening a shoe store in Boulder City, Nevada and later expanding into the salvage business. Mack later discusses his parents moving to Las Vegas, Nevada, opening his clothing store, and setting up the first bail bondsman office in the city.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Joseph C. Mattingly conducted by Sean Powers on February 23, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, Mattingly discusses moving back and forth between Las Vegas and Reno, Nevada during the 1930s and 1940s before finally settling in Las Vegas in 1954. Mattingly also discusses his life as a sheet metal worker for commercial buildings, Las Vegas Strip hotels, and buildings on the University of Nevada, Las Vegas campus.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Nathaniel Barlow conducted by Claytee D. White on May 14, 2013 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: A Collaborative Oral History Project. Barlow begins the interview by sharing his experiences growing up in rural Louisiana and shares how he ended up moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1962 as a teenage boy. Barlow shares his views and experiences of Las Vegas at that time, sharing the ways the town has changed and talks about the economic opportunities that were available to him when he moved to Las Vegas. He shares his views on the history of the unions and union leaders in Las Vegas during the times he was a member of the Teamsters Local 881 and later the Culinary Workers Union Local 226. Barlow also talks about the Selective Service Draft for the Vietnam War and his experiences with that. He recalls the history of Las Vegas' historic Westside and shares his roles in the area's history.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with John Entsminger conducted by Stefani Evans on May 31, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Entsminger discusses his early life in Colorado. He talks about going to law school at the University of Colorado, arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1999, and his employment for the Southern Nevada Water Authority’s (SNWA) legal team. Entsminger describes the infrastructure projects that the SNWA has been involved in, negotiating multi-jurisdictional regional and international contract agreements, and protecting the future water supply. Entsminger explains water banking, water rights, and aquifers in Lake Mead. Lastly, Entsminger talks about water conservation, the SNWA’s water conservation plan, and drought that Nevada is experiencing.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Donald L. Eckert conducted by Robert A. Kamp on March 15, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas, Nevada. In this interview Donald Eckert discusses the geographical boundaries of Las Vegas when he was first born and the types of recreation people would take part in. He then talks about the Helldorado Parade, how the University of Nevada, Las Vegas has changed, the MGM Grand Hotel fire, horse racing, changes in gaming, the Basic Magnesium plant, and the development of Mount Charleston.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jean Childs conducted by Claytee White on December 02, 2013 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Jean recalls the culture shock of segregation and racism her family encountered upon arriving in Las Vegas, Nevada from California in 1963. Jean spoke about how her mother was a role model for her, who carved a path of fighting for the underprivileged, growing the Head Start program in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Larry Ruvo conducted by David G. Schwartz on January 27, 2009 for the Remembering Jay Sarno Oral History Project. Ruvo begins by discussing his position as a front desk clerk at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada in the 1970s. Ruvo then describes how Jay Sarno changed the casino industry by designing Caesar’s Palace with a single theme. Ruvo then chronicles how gaming gradually was legalized in more areas throughout the world and how Sarno capitalized on making Caesar’s Palace an iconic casino which made people want to travel to Las Vegas. Lastly, Ruvo discusses Sarno’s focus on offering both gaming and entertainment options for guests at Caesar's Palace.
Archival Collection