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 Tami Belt conducted by Claytee D. White on July 26, 2017 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project.
Tami Belt talks about learning to play golf on the Municipal Golf course where her father worked as a PGA teaching professional. She discusses life in Las Vegas, her family's professions in the city, and shops on Fremont Street like Ronzone's Department Store. Tami shares her career working in public relations and the work she has done with non-profit organizations to combat childhood cancer and homelessness.
Subjects discussed include: Nick Pahor; Emil Pahor; Cancer Camp for Kids
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Geraldine Kirk-Hughes conducted by Claytee D. White on April 28, 2011 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project.
In this interview, Geraldine Kirk-Hughes discusses her educational background, previous occupations, and her decision to attend law school in Reno, Nevada in 1984. Kirk-Hughes shares details of passing the bar exam in 1988, opening her one-woman law firm shortly thereafter, and her affiliation with the National Bar Association (NBA). She recalls how she met Charles Kellar, various cases she represented, and her experiences with racism both directed at herself and her clients of color.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Nancy Cummings-Schmidt conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on October 18, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Cummings-Schmidt discusses her family background in Nevada dating back to the 1800s. She talks about her educational experiences in Las Vegas, Nevada and her work as a library aid at Nevada Southern University (now University of Nevada, Las Vegas). Later, Cummings-Schmidt discusses her role as the Young People’s Library Coordinator for the Sunrise Library in 1973 and talks about racism and sexism in children’s literature. Lastly, Cummings-Schmidt describes the technological development and changes in libraries.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Eddie Hall Holzman conducted by Lisa Gioia-Acres on October 02, 2008 for the All That Jazz Oral History Project. Holzman begins the interview talking about his growth as a musician while living and performing in New Jersey and New York. He also discusses his time playing while enlisted in the military, until he moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1947 where he played in a jazz band. Holzman also describes working as a card dealer at the Thunderbird Hotel and Casino, the Desert Inn Hotel and Casino, and the El Rancho Hotel and Casino. He also details the music scene in Las Vegas from the 1950s through the end of his playing career.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Grady Aitken conducted by David Schwartz on June 03, 2015 for the Table Games Management Oral History Project. In this interview, Aitken discusses his upbringing and early interest in the gaming industry. He remembers completing dealing school at the Harrah’s Casino in Reno, Nevada, working for Bill Harrah, and interacting with high profile players. Aitken talks about junkets, differences between casinos in Reno and Las Vegas, Nevada, and the licensing process to become a casino floor manager. Later, Aitken describes the opening of the MGM Grand Hotel in 1993, becoming a pit manager, and auditioning dealers. Lastly, Aitken discusses his role as Director of table games at the Westgate Las Vegas Casino Resort.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Rosa Lee Brewer, Maxine Westby, and Angelia Carter conducted by Claytee D. White on April 17, 2019 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Brewer discusses her early life in Birmingham, Alabama and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1957. Brewer and Westby remember living in the Westside, J Street and Jackson Street businesses, and the issue of homelessness in that area. Later, Brewer, Westby, and Carter discuss the schools on the Westside and school integration. Lastly, Brewer, Westby, and Carter discuss changes in the Westside.
Archival Collection