Oral history interview with Mike Smith conducted by Claytee D. White on August 17, 2018 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Smith discusses his early life in Santa Clara, California and his early interest in art. He describes the first drawings he did, drawing political cartoons, and drawing about controversial ideas. Smith remembers moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1983 and becoming the cartoonist for the
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Sandra F. Mack conducted by Claytee D. White on March 29, 2018 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Mack discusses her early life in Seattle, Washington. She talks about her education in home economics, becoming a teacher, and her experience teaching during segregation. Mack recalls moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2001, and her involvement with community organizations 100 Black Women, the Las Vegas Branch of The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), the Urban League Guild, and the local Delta Sigma Theta chapter. Lastly, Mack talks about the 1 October shooting, gun violence, the increase of security at churches.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Bob Stoldal conducted by Claytee D. White on May 22, 2014, May 23, 2014, and March 3, 2016 for African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In these interviews, Stoldal discusses his upbringing in California before moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1957. He talks about pursuing a career in journalism including working at Channel 3 and Channel 8, his interest in history, and involvement with cultural organizations including the Nevada State Museum, the MOB Museum, and Las Vegas Centennial Commission. Stoldal comments on the experiences of African Americans in Las Vegas including the 1969 Westside protests, sixth grade centers, and the treatment of entertainers.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Mauricia Baca conducted by Elsa Lopez on December 16, 2019 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Baca discusses her upbringing in New York City, New York where she was raised by a Jewish mother and Mexican immigrant father. She goes on to describe the discrimination she faced as a Latina, and her education at Vassar College and the City University of New York Law School. Baca moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 2006, and she talks about her work as the Executive Director of Get Outdoors Nevada and how she promotes public access and use of urban outdoor spaces, such as the Healing Garden in the Las Vegas Arts District.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jaime Cruz conducted by Rodrigo Vazquez on July 03, 2019 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Cruz discusses growing up in Lima, Peru and immigrating to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1987. Cruz describes his first impressions of the city, attending the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and explains the importance of education for his children. He talks about his employment as a dishwasher at Vineyard Restaurant, food server at The Mirage, and being recruited by Treasure Island as a banquet waiter. Lastly, Cruz describes the Peruvian community in Las Vegas, instilling Peruvian culture in his children, and how he became the Executive Director of Workforce Connections.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Dorothy Eisenberg conducted by Barbara Tabach on October 23, 2014 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. In this interview, Eisenberg discusses her childhood in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania during the Great Depression, her religious upbringing, and attending Hebrew school. She talks about her early passion for civic involvement, attending Temple University, and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1964. Eisenberg then discusses Temple Beth Sholom Las Vegas, receiving a teaching certificate at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and her involvement with the League of Women Voters. Lastly, Eisenberg recalls her participation with school desegregation, her involvement with the Public Education Foundation, and having a school named in her honor.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Mara Braun conducted by Barbara Tabach on September 09, 2019 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. In this interview, Braun discusses growing up in Puerto Rico, family life, and moving to Indiana in the 1960s. She describes summer visits to Mexico City, Mexico, meeting her husband there, and converting to Judaism. Braun talks about her experiences as a Puerto Rican Jewish convert living in Mexico City, and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1975. Later, Braun discusses how she got started in catering and opening her catering business, Le Royal Dreams. Lastly, Braun talks about her diverse clientele.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Chuck Degarmo conducted by Stefani Evans on January 13, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. Also present during the interview was Po-Sun Chen. Degarmo discusses his childhood, his early interest in landscaping, and obtaining his Bachelors of Science degree in Ornamental Horticulture at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo; with a concentration in Landscape Construction. Degarmo and Chen give their history in landscape construction, maintenance, development, and its intersection with ValleyCrest Landscape Development (now BrightView). They then explain how they landscaped some the largest hotel properties on the Las Vegas Strip, Summerlin Parkway, and Station Casinos.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Shelley Berkley conducted by Barbara Tabach on February 13, 2015 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. In this interview, Berkley shares her family history, from her great-grandparents’ immigration to the United States to her immediate family’s migration from New York to Las Vegas, Nevada. She reflects upon her childhood experience in Las Vegas, including her varied leadership positions with Jewish organizations as well as at school, from junior high school through college. Berkley also talks about her involvement as an adult within the Jewish community and more broadly as a public servant, in all levels of government.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Marie Schamaun conducted by Elie Elias on February 21, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Schamaun discusses her personal history and the history of Las Vegas, Nevada. Schamaun discusses being a member of the first Methodist church in Las Vegas and her involvement with an auxiliary of the Optimist Club which helped young girls. Schamaun describes how Las Vegas and its casinos have changed since she first moved to the city in 1947, and how the city has changed socially. Schamaun also discusses nuclear weapons tests, youth centers in Las Vegas, and the important role the youth centers have in the city.
Archival Collection