Archival Component
Oral history interview with Rory Reid conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee White on July 13, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. Reid recalls growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada as a Mormon, and his legal and political careers in the Nevada Democratic Party.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Shirley Harlan conducted by Claytee D. White on November 17 and 18, 2006 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Harlan opens her interview by discussing her upbringing in a small town in California during the Great Depression. She then discusses career limitations for women at the time she entered college and her decision to study social studies. Harlan then recalls why she and her partner moved to Beatty, Nevada in 1968 and what the town was like at the time. Harlan then specifically discusses the local library, including what kind of services were offered, and how she collaborated with other residents to move the library from the town hall to an converted school room. Harlan describes programs offered by the library, the bookmobile, and the budget challenges the library faced, including how a reduced tax base in Beatty reduced funding. She recalls important town figures, aboveground atomic testing, and tourism. Harlan then talks about unethical hiring practices in northern Nevada governments, being deputized by a female sheriff and supporting her anti-corruption agenda. She then discusses her appointments to government commissions and different board administrations. Lastly, Harlan describes education in Beatty, Nevada.
Archival Collection
On February 11, 1977, collector Lee LaVecchia interviewed Barry V. Holt (born January 20th, 1946 in Las Vegas, Nevada) at his home in Las Vegas, Nevada. In the interview, Mr. Holt speaks about the differences between growing up in Las Vegas in the fifties and sixties compared to how his children are growing up at the time of the interview. He also discusses education and the religious community in the city.
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Oral history interview with Lee White conducted by Claytee D. White on May 18, 2021 for African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Lee White played professional football for the New York Jets, Los Angeles Rams, and San Diego Chargers. A promising career as a first round draft pick resulted in an injury in his first professional game. He retired from football at the age of 28 and moved back to Las Vegas where he had grown up on the Westside. Lee entered the hotel and casino industry as a dealer, retiring twenty-five years later as a Vice President of Casino Operations. His career in the tourism industry included work at the Sands, MGM, Desert Inn, and the Tropicana.
Subjects discussed include: Westside School, Weber State College, and the Sahara Hotel and Casino
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Rosemary Vassiliadis conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee White on April 12, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. Vassiliadis discusses her career as a budget analyst in Las Vegas, Nevada and as the first female Director of Aviation at the McCarran Airport. She also discusses managing the airport in the days after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Robert Allen Jr. conducted by Carlton Kelley on March 20, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Robert Allen discusses his career in acting and his role in the entertainment business in Las Vegas, Nevada. Allen then discusses the growth of Las Vegas, the role of mining in Southern Nevada, and the work of instrumental political figures. Allen also discusses the role of the gaming industry, the availability of recreational activities, the modes of transportation available to locals, television and movie productions in which he was involved, and dining options for Las Vegas locals.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with John Gubler conducted by Suzanne Becker on December 29, 2008 for the Voices of the Historic John S. Park Neighborhood Oral History Project. Gubler discusses his parents moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1936 and growing up in the John S. Park Neighborhood. He then discusses becoming a lawyer and moving back to Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Irma Varela conducted by Barbara Tabach on December 04, 2018 and March 05, 2019 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In these interviews, Varela talks about her upbringing in Zacatecas, Mexico, her move to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1989, and how religion has affected her life. She also describes her work as the Cultural Program Supervisor at Winchester Community Center, and her career in preserving Hispanic cultural traditions in Las Vegas. Varela talks about being an active leader in local Las Vegas organizations and events such as the Mexico Vivo Dancing Company, Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebrations, and the International Food and Folklife Festival.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Yorgo Kagafas conducted by Claytee White on January 14, 2010 for the Voices of the Historic John S. Park Neighborhood Oral History Projects. Kagafas discusses becoming an urban planner for the City of Las Vegas, Nevada in 1999 and implementing the neighborhood planning process.
Archival Collection