Oral history interview with Lavern Cummings and Tony Midnite conducted by Dennis McBride on August 29, 2000 for the Las Vegas Gay Archives Oral History Project. In the interview, Cummings and Midnite discuss their work as female impersonators in Las Vegas, Nevada during the late 1960s and 1970s. They also talk about other impersonators and performance venues in Las Vegas and around the United States. They explain the distinctions between transgender and straight performers, and the perceptions of transgender and straight audience members. Other subjects Cummings and Midnite cover include their early lives and arrivals to Las Vegas, and the history of sex reassignment surgeries beginning in the 1930s.
Oral history interview with Randy Gangwer conducted by Thomas Hardy on May 17, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Gangwer discusses the importance of gambling, above ground atomic tests, and Southern Nevada’s economic, environmental, and social changes.
Oral history interview with Philip Murphy conducted by Stephen Johnson on January 22, 1972 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Murphy shares his memories of growing up in St. Thomas, Nevada. He also talks about the growth of Southern Nevada as people moved towards the west.
Oral history interview with Susan Watson conducted by Claytee D. White on February 20, 2013 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Watson discusses graduating from Rancho High School in 1962 and working as a dental assistant and an interior designer.
Oral history interview with Lambert VanDerMeer conducted by Eric H. Newton on February 28, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In the interview, VanDerMeer discusses his birth in Holland, living in Chicago, Illinois and Southern California, and finally settling in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1926. VanDerMeer also talks about his marriage in Las Vegas and running a dairy and ice house. Other subjects VanDerMeer discuss include the the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, the growth of Las Vegas over time, and the history of Las Vegas from 1926 to 1955.
Oral history interview with Muriel Parks conducted by Richard Lloyd Pipkins on May 18, 1977 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Parks discusses the history of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) and her career working for the university as Director of Admissions and Records. Parks discusses the expansion of the campus and the growing number of students and degrees available currently compared to what was available when UNLV was first established.
Oral history interview with Gene Hotchkiss conducted by Barbara Clark on June 27, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Hotchkiss discusses her experiences living in Las Vegas, Nevada since 1946. Hotchkiss discusses the hotel industry, explaining that most casinos had a Western theme before the Flamingo was built, which started a luxury resort trend. Hotchkiss goes on to describe the development of Las Vegas Strip hotels.
Oral history interview with Stanley Schwartz conducted by Carol Schwartz on March 01, 1980 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. Schwartz discusses Las Vegas, Nevada early history, including businesses, Fremont Street and Downtown, Las Vegas.
Oral history interview with Edna French conducted by Helen Littleton on November 18, 1974 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. French discusses her life in Boulder City, Nevada.
Oral history interview with Amalette Wilson conducted by James Greene on January 09, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview Wilson discusses her work for the Boulder City, Nevada community as a member of the Boulder City Charter Commission.