The Slavin Family Papers (1905-1965) are materials related to Hale B. Slavin, a doctor who practiced in Las Vegas, Nevada from 1933 until his death in 1965, his wife Ruth Slavin, and his children, Thomas and Sarah Slavin. The collection includes memorabilia of events and commemorations, Hale B. Slavin's schoolwork from elementary through college, Thomas and Sarah Slavin's elementary school work, photographs, family correspondence, postcards, a diploma, and newspaper clippings.
Harvey Allen grew up poor in Philadelphia. After taking singing lessons at the Artie Singer Vocal School, he got jobs singing in night clubs up and down the east coast. He also took acting classes in New York and performed at the Copa Club. In the 1950s, he moved to Las Vegas and auditioned for Jack Entratter at the Sands Hotel and Casino where he performed with numerous entertainers including Lena Horne, Louis Armstrong, Tallulah Bankhead and Robert Merrill. Allen's accomplishments include attending and obtaining a degree in telecommunications and film from San Diego State and a Master's degree from UNLV. He worked for the American Society of Composer, Authors and Publishers. Harvey recalls working on a segregated strip and the opening of the first integrated casino in Las Vegas, The Moulin Rouge. Twice he moved from Las Vegas but always returned. He implemented National Reading Week for the State Department of Education and was the emcee for Sunrise Hospital Cancer Survivors Week. In addition to hosting a popular talk show on KDON radio, he hosted the "All-Nighters Club Convention", taught classes at UNLV tor 31 years and wrote a column in Maturity Today. Now Harvey is at a different stage of his life. He and his wife are active in running their public relations agency, enjoying their garden, taking great photographs and spending time together in their fabulous home in Anthem.
September 22, 2005 tear sheet from the Las Vegas review-Journal covering a UNLV capital campaign event. Jon Eric Cobain and his mother Ruth Cobain are pictured in the top left photo.
Helen Mott Cecil was born in 1916 and grew up in Las Vegas. Her grandparents were miners and her grandmother owned property on the Westside. She recalls a friendly neighborhood and walking back and forth to school with neighborhood children. The family moved several times finally settling at 601 South Main Street. While attending Las Vegas High School she participated in several Helldorado parades with her father and brother. At the age of 15, Helen remembers the constriction of the first downtown post office. When the Hoover Dam started in 1931, her father was the under-sheriff. One of his duties was distributing health cards to prostitutes. Her memories include Saturday night dances in Anderson's Mess Hall in Boulder City, atomic bomb testing at the Nevada Test Site walking to church services on Fremont Street, Woodlawn Cemetery, the old Henderson Townsite and meeting President Roosevelt at the Hoover Dam dedication. As a high school student she served as president and counselor in her Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. In 1934 she graduated from Las Vegas High School. Helen held numerous jobs before getting married at the age of 26-bookkeeper, movie theatre usher, telephone operator, and secretarial work. Her husband Bill worked at all three post office locations in the Las Vegas area. At the age of 91, Helen and her sister still live and enioy life in Las Vegas sharing their many memories of early Las Vegas.