Oral history interview with Ernie Lomprey conducted by Chris Tonemah on July 11, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Lomprey moved from Wisconsin to Henderson, Nevada in 1949 because his father was stationed at Nellis Air Force Base towards the end of World War II. He discusses his childhood, education, and eventual work as a cement mason and firefighter.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Peter Michel conducted by Claytee D. White on March 10, 2021 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project.
Peter Michel is Acting Director of University of Nevada, Las Vegas Lied Library's Special Collections and Archives. This interview was conducted in part for the 20th year celebration of Lied Library. He discusses the construction of Lied Library and his time working in Special Collections and Archives. Peter also talks of his early life, university studies, and professional career that led him to Las Vegas, along with his thoughts on what the future holds for UNLV's Special Collections and Archives.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Andrew Walsh conducted by Barbara Tabach and Claytee D. White on February 13, 2019 for the Remembering 1 October Oral History Project. In this interview, Walsh recalls his early life in New York City, New York, and working for the New York Police Department. He then recalls moving and joining the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department in 1998. He discusses his current position as Deputy Chief/Division Commander of Tourist Safety, his role in the aftermath of the October 1, 2017 mass shooting at the Route 91 Harvest Festival, and community healing.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Stan Armstrong conducted by Megan Laub on December 02, 2014 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Armstrong discusses his childhood in West Las Vegas, Nevada and describes the neighborhood where he grew up. Armstrong recalls Westside businesses, nightlife, and entertainment that existed on Jackson Street. He then talks about his educational experiences, the racial segregation of schools at the time, and his employment at various stores on the Westside as a teenager. Later, Armstrong discusses the riots that erupted on the Westside in 1969 and shares how it affected the community. He goes on to recall riots that took place at Rancho High School while he was a student there. Lastly, Armstrong talks about his career as a filmmaker and professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV).
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Don Trippy conducted by Claytee D. White on October 21, 2015 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Trippy begins by describing his upbringing in Denver, Colorado and his early interests in art, which eventually lead him to study at the Colorado Institute of Art while working as an illustrator for the military in Fort Carson, Colorado. He discusses moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1976 to work as an artist at Nellis Air Force Base creating paintings, and he explains how he made a bronze eagle sculpture as a memorial to fallen fighter pilots. Trippy talks about being a part of the Desert Sculptors group, which was a collective of local artists and sculptors who were briefly based in Lorenzi Park, where they also made the bust of David G. Lorenzi. Trippy also discusses constructing his own personal studio, taking art classes at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, and specific artists he worked with or was friends with.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with David Becker conducted by Claytee D. White and Barbara Tabach on May 15, 2018 for the Remembering 1 October Oral History Project. In this interview, Becker recalls being on a three-day assignment at the Route 91 Harvest Country Music Festival across from the Mandalay Bay Resort in Las Vegas, Nevada. Thinking the gunfire was produced by malfunctioning equipment, he took photos of the scattering crowd. Moments later, in a now silent venue, he realized he captured a horrific massacre. Becker recalls photographing people leaving the venue as they performed acts of heroism, helping the fallen or the slow to reach safety. He discusses how difficult it is to comprehend the acts of that night, and how his photojournalist instincts allowed him to capture such devastating images.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Brenda Mason conducted by Claytee D. White on December 20, 2006 and December 22, 2006 for the UNLV @ 50 Oral History Project. Mason discusses attending the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in the 1970s. She also recalls serving two terms on the Nevada Board of Regents and being recognized for her efforts in affirmative action. She then discusses her work as a paralegal in the U.S. Attorney's office in San Diego, California.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Estes McDoniel conducted by Gregory S. Hayes on March 11, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. McDoniel discusses his personal history in Henderson, Nevada, including his campaign for Mayor. McDoniel then discusses the first high school in Henderson, Nevada, and the Basic Magnesium Plant.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Arby L. Hambric conducted by Claytee D. White on September 23, 2015 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Hambric discusses serving in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War in the United States Navy, while recalling racial experiences in the military. He also talks about moving to Nevada in 1976 and protesting against the closing of F Street from 2008 to 2014, when the street was reopened.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with David Sklansky conducted by Claytee D. White on October 19, 2022 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Sklansky arrived in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1967. While in Las Vegas, he recalls working as the mathematical consultant to Bob Stupak for many years where he developed some of the games used in Stupak's Vegas World Casino. He also taught poker and gambling, and was entered in The Griffin Book which contained names and photographss of people who found ways to win in the casino by legal means.
Archival Collection