The Geneva Stark Merwin Photograph Collection features photographic prints and negatives of locations throughout Pahrump, Nevada between 1941 and 1942. Primary locations include a Pahrump school and Pahrump Ranch, as well as locations in local fields and mountains. The photographs capture candid scenes of people walking to school and feeding animals.
The Ernest Mitchell Pratt Photographs (approximately 1932-1936) consist of black-and-white photographic prints, signed and unsigned, taken by Pratt while Hoover Dam was under construction. Many prints are signed and mounted, and two are noted as award-winning photographs shown at the Annual International Salon of Camera Pictorialists in Los Angeles, California. There are additional working prints included alongside the final prints for most of the scenes. Also included in the collection is one small photograph of Pratt. This collection was formerly known as the Price Photograph Collection.
The Paul May Photograph Collection (1969) consists of black-and-white and color photographic prints. The images primarily depict Nevada Assemblyman Paul May alongside Nevadan senators and congressmen, including Senator Paul Laxalt. Other images are portraits of May.
Shawn Willis (1972 - ) grew up in a culturally diverse area outside of Detroit, Michigan. She has made Las Vegas her home since 2004. Since moving to Nevada, she ?acknowledged? her Judaism and built a robust network within the Jewish community as an entrepreneur and tireless leader. From 2015 ? 2017, she held the position of Director of the Jewish National Fund of Las Vegas. The Jewish National Fund is a worldwide organization that was founded in 1901 to meet the strategic challenges of building in Israel and developing the infrastructure for ecology, special needs and heritage preservation. Among the local initiatives that Shawn led was a program on water conservation. In this oral history, Shawn candidly speaks of being a convert to Judaism. She also shares how she introduced herself into the Las Vegas community in a vibrant way through her marketing expertise and business. Shawn currently serves on the UNLV Foundation?s President?s Associates Council and is an active person in the Las Vegas community. Shawn is a graduate of University of Detroit Mercy.
On April 22, 1981, Ray Cutright (born 1902 in French Creek, West Virginia) provided brief a narrative-style oral history about his work as a boater in the Colorado River during the building of Hoover Dam. Cutright talks about his experiences in operating a boat that carried both tourist passengers and workers to and from the site of the Hoover Dam. He also provides a few specific experiences, including what it was like navigating the river.