Oral history panel composed of University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) students Lisa McAllister, Larry Sampson, John Grygo, and Ashley Smith along with community narrators Jerrie Merritt, Geraldine Kirk Hughes, Keith Brantley, and Hannah Brown, moderated by Julia Lee and Claytee White on March 30, 2016 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: A Collaborative Oral History Project. The group discusses working with each other during the collection of oral histories for the project, the value of the interchange for both narrator and interviewer, the value of oral histories as repositories of individual and collective memory, and related stories about their experiences.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ida Perkins conducted by Alexa Sweeny on November 25, 2014 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Perkins discusses her personal history growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada. Perkins talks about recreational activities she participated in, being involved in church, and living in the Windsor Park housing area in North Las Vegas. She then recalls her educational experience in Las Vegas, being involved in school sports, and West Las Vegas housing. Later, Perkins describes businesses on the Westside, attending the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and playing on the women’s basketball team, the Lady Rebels. Lastly, Perkins discusses her contributions in forming the Foxy Ladies Organization, and also changes in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ed W. May conducted by Claytee D. White on July 22, 2010 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, May discusses golfing in Las Vegas, Nevada and the Valley View Club, an organization for predominately African American golfers, and its significance to the African American community. May describes how the club began and recalls anecdotes from his time as president of the club for nine years.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Patricia Bearce conducted by Guy Pence on September 29, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Bearce discusses some of the social and developmental changes, including the recreational activities involving swimming, going to theaters, watching stock car races, and attending Helldorado events. She also discusses some of the development of Downtown Las Vegas, Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ron Lurie conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee D. White on October 17, 2016 and November 10, 2016 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. In the first interview, Lurie discusses his upbringing in Los Angeles, California and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1953. He recalls his father’s business, Market Town, graduating from Las Vegas High School, and becoming manager for three Wonder World convenient stores. Lurie talks about his campaign to become Mayor of Las Vegas, running for Las Vegas City Council, and the redevelopment of Downtown Las Vegas. In the second interview, Lurie discusses the Las Vegas Downtown Progress Association, the National League of Cities, and the Las Vegas monorail. Lastly, Lurie talks about employee longevity and unionization.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with George Kavanaugh conducted by Iolanthe Bruton on February 25, 1973 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Kavanaugh discusses arriving in Las Vegas, Nevada and taking part in politics and gambling. Kavanaugh later talks about the Magnesium Plant in Henderson, Nevada as well as the atomic bomb testing.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with William McGarry conducted by Shannon Beesley on February 12, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, McGarry discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1955 from Reno, Nevada. McGarry also discusses politics in Nevada including the state senators and the process of becoming a senator.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Mustafa Richards conducted by Claytee D. White on March 10, 2013 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. He discusses working as the only black bellman at the time for the Imperial Palace Hotel and Casino and became the first African American bell captain. He also discusses his wife working for the Las Vegas, Nevada Clark County Library District for thirty years. Mustafa then discusses becoming a Muslim in the early 1990s and being appointed to be an Imam, a mosque officer, soon afterwards.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ted Monson conducted by Rocky Fagundes on October 04, 1973 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Monson discusses building the first house in North Las Vegas, Nevada with his family including how they transported materials needed to build the house. He also describes Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam), specifically the attention it brought to the area. Later, Monson discusses Block 16 and the development of the Las Vegas Strip.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Hank Greenspun conducted by Tony Bleeker in 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview Hank Greenspun discusses politics in Las Vegas, Nevada, the numerous changes and growth that the city has experiences, and his newspaper, the Las Vegas Sun.
Archival Collection