"The goal of this 2014-2015 project is to build a web and mobile resource that will connect researchers from around the world to thousands of historical items—photographs, brochures, scrapbooks, letters, drawings, videos, and more—detailing the lives and contributions of Jews in Southern Nevada. It will include carefully researched biographies, timelines, and histories of institutions, events, and prominent themes showing the integral roles Jews have played in the history of Southern Nevada.
The Aplin Family Scrapbooks (1927-1971) consists of four handmade scrapbooks compiled by Hilda Aplin. The scrapbooks contain photographs, correspondence, newspaper clippings, and handwritten captions. The majority of the collection focuses on Hilda and Charles Aplin’s involvement in the Fraternal Order of Eagles and Las Vegas Eagles Auxiliary #1213. Also included is a photograph album that details the family’s activities from 1927 to 1959, including notable locations around Las Vegas, Nevada such as Lake Mead, Hoover Dam, Mt. Charleston, and annual Helldorado parades.
The Walking Box Ranch Collection (1917-2011) includes material collected by the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) Public Lands Institute on the Searchlight, Nevada ranch. Materials include a maps related to the construction and operation of the ranch, a pair of chaps owned by Rex Bell, Jr., and color slides of the ranch. Also included are photographic prints of Rex Bell and Rex Bell, Jr., and newsclippings related to the film and political career of Rex Bell. A small number of newsclippings pertain to the career of Rex Bell, Jr.
Flora Dungan Papers (1929-1974) contain high school and university records, certificates, newspaper clippings, press releases, notes, correspondence, and booklets about her life and political activism in Nevada. Also included are Legislative materials, an audio cassette tape, a copy of the Nevada Constitution, and an oil painting of Flora Dungan.
Oral history interview with Maxine and Jack Cason conducted by Claytee D. White and Stefani Evans on September 22, 1016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Jack discusses his early life in Oklahoma and arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1950. He recalls the formation of Saveway Super Service, Philips 66 service stations, the competition in the fuel industry, and the opening of the first Rebel service station. Jack talks about fuel terminals, fuel bulk plants, and becoming one of the largest fuel providers in southern Nevada. Later, Maxine and Jack talk about supporting local sports organizations. Lastly, Jack discusses his involvement in the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) Athletics Department, and being inducted into the UNLV Sports Hall of Fame.
The Arnie and Sheila Wexler Professional Papers consist of the professional materials dating from 1976 to 2006 of Arnie and Sheila Wexler, compulsive gambling counselors from New Jersey. The papers include documents, articles, videotapes, and audiocassettes on various aspects of problem, compulsive, and pathological gambling.
The Rich Rizzo Professional Papers (approximately 1960-2022) are comprised largely of photographs documenting the life of Las Vegas, Nevada dancer and choreographer Rich Rizzo in shows such as Jubilee! and Lido de Paris in Las Vegas and in Paris, France. The photographs show rehearsal and performances, Rizzo with his partner and fellow choreographer Winston Helmsley, dancers and showgirls, Donn Arden, and Miss Bluebell. Other types of material include business and personal correspondence, contracts, production prospectives and set designs, show programs, and costume design photographs.
The Ned V. Bearden Sr. Photograph Collection contains black-and-white photographic prints and negatives of early Las Vegas, Nevada Fremont Street hotels, casinos, as well as Las Vegas businesses and residences between approximately 1940 to 1960. These photographs detail air conditioning units installations by Bearden throughout Las Vegas.