Oral history interview with Sara Kalaoram conducted by Alexandra Arabshian on November 15, 2021 for Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project.
Sara Kalaoram shares her immigration story to the United States from Singapore in 2002 at the age of four. She talks about her upbringing in Las Vegas, Nevada, her education from Arizona State University, and her work with the Culinary Workers Union and with Assemblyman Steve Yeager as his campaign manager and executive assistant. Sara Kalaoram discusses cultural differences between Singapore and the United States, the immigration stories of her parents, and her experience as an Asian-American immigrant in the twenty-first century.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Doris Shoong Lee conducted by Sue Fawn Chung on January 03, 2004 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Shoong Lee discusses her father, Joe Shoong, who started the company National Dollar Store. She also discusses her involvement with many philanthropic projects, including some at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas with her husband Theodore Lee.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Sharon and Henry Hwang conducted by Stefani Evans and Claytee White on February 21, 2017 for the Building Las Vegas Oral History Project. The Hwangs discuss moving to Las Vegas, Nevada, their Taiwanese influences, creating the Chinatown Plaza, and bringing Pan-Asian culture to a city that didn’t have authentic Asian shops and restaurants for the tourists.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Lillie and Johnny Smith conducted by Claytee D. White on October 19, 2023 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, the couple recalls meeting in Tallulah, Louisiana and marrying in 1973. In 1986, they relocated to Las Vegas, Nevada. Both Lillie and Johnny went to Job Corp and received training that they insist changed their lives and the trajectory of their family. Johhny learned how to drive and operate heavy machinery, and his job at Republic Services utilizes those skills. Lillie became a social worker after obtaining a master's degree.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Harry Fagel conducted by Barbara Tabach on April 15, 2016 and January 13, 2017 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. Fagel discusses being raised in the Jewish community of Las Vegas, Nevada and how the city has changed over the decades. He also talks about his career as a police lieutenant and a published poet.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Fred O. Wharton conducted by William B. Stabler on March 10, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Wharton describes the United States Air Force base in Tonopah, Nevada that was used to train B-29 bomber pilots during World War II. He also describes mining in Tonopah and in the greater Nye County, Nevada area, including what kinds of metals they mined and the processes used to extract them. Lastly, Wharton discusses the history of the railroads in Nye County, living in rural Nevada, and how Tonopah has changed.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Betty Bunch conducted by Joyce (Marshall) Moore on January 09, 1996 and February 07, 1996 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. In this interview, Bunch discusses the origins of her dance career and the places her pursuit of this career took her. Bunch discusses the various shows she performed in both in the United States and Europe, and describes the differences between a dancer and a showgirl. Bunch describes the responsibilities and rights of dancers, their contracts, and their leisure activities. Finally, Bunch also discusses her personal life including two of her marriages.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Isabella Jessie Curtis conducted by Andrew B. Levy on February 15, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Curtis first talks about her career in waitressing at several restaurants and casinos in Las Vegas, Nevada. She also discusses her involvement in politics, her early recreational activities, and the atomic testing. Curtis then describes living in Sandy Valley, Nevada, and some of her first memories of the Union Pacific train depot in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Ivory H. Blue II conducted by John Grygo on 2013 February 22 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: A Collaborative Oral History Project. This oral history documents the early life of Ivory H. Blue II in Las Vegas, Nevada while growing up in the Westside projects. He also discusses his college years in the 1990s at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.
Archival Collection