The Penelope Ruchman Collection of Las Vegas, Nevada Casino Professionals Oral Histories includes interviews conducted by Ruchman from approximately 1999 to 2001 of casino industry workers who worked in Las Vegas, Nevada. The majority of interviews were conducted by Ruchman in their office at Gambler's Book Shop (GBS), but some where conducted in interviewee's homes and offices, or over the phone. The collection represents Ruchman's efforts to interview and document a generation of early casino industry workers that were quickly aging. The project was intended to be compiled as a definitive history of Las Vegas and American gambling, entitled "After the Gold Rush." The project was permanently postponed in the fall of 2001 when Ruchman left GBS to work for Park Place Entertainment as a corporate business and operations analyst, and later as casino operations director for Caesars Palace. Not all interviews have digital transcripts available.
Archival Collection
The Latino Youth Leadership Conference Records (1994-2018) primarily contain digitized copies of conference programs for the annual Latino Youth Leadership Conference (LYLC) held at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). The collection include a digitized copy of an article published in the Latin Chamber of Commerce newsletter written by LYLC attendees Rocio Ledesma and Nidya Rivera describing their experiences attending the 2001 conference. Also included are twelve black-and-white photographs of LYLC attendees at the 2001 conference. LYLC attendees Dr. Rudy Acuña from California State Northridge and Rosemary Flores from BEST Coalition for a Safe and Drug Free Nevada are also depicted in the photographs.
Archival Collection
The Jeanne Russell Janish Papers (1833-1994; bulk dates 1894-1994) consist of journals, diaries, research files, academic records, correspondence, photographs, and paintings and drawings that document the life and work of the illustrator and watercolorist. The paintings and drawings consist of approximately 140 watercolors and pencil sketches of various scenes and subjects, created in China, Florida, and the American Southwest. The collection also includes writings by Jeanne’s husband, Carl F. Janish.
Archival Collection
The Charlotte Hill Papers (1975-1996) document Charlotte Hill’s commitment to the Las Vegas, Nevada community and especially to the local PBS affiliate, KLVX Channel 10. The majority of the collection relates to KLVX Channel 10 and the work of the Friends of Channel 10 on behalf of the station, in particular information about fundraising events and volunteers. It also contains material related to Hill's membership in national organizations associated with public broadcasting. The collection includes some material about her work with the American Camping Association and the Las Vegas Sun Summer Camp Fund.
Archival Collection
The Robert Beckmann Professional Papers (approximately 1964-2020) include photographs, sketches, plans, and proposals for murals and art installations that Beckmann designed or painted in the Las Vegas, Nevada area. The collection also includes correspondence, awards, and promotional materials for art exhibitions featuring Beckmann and other artists.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with J. David Hoggard conducted by Claytee White and unnamed interviewer on various dates in 1997, 1998, and 1999 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN). Hoggard discusses serving in World War II, being transferred to Nellis Air Force Base in 1945, and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada from New Jersey in 1946. He also recalls becoming one of the first African American police officers in Las Vegas, and working in the Clark County School District for 15 years. Hoggard then discusses his involvement with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), including serving as chapter president for four years.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Nanyu Tomiyasu conducted by Robert McCracken on January 18, 2000, February 05, 2000 and April 02, 2000 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) on behalf of the Tule Springs Preservation Committee. Tomiyasu opens his interview by discussing his father's immigration journey from Japan to Las Vegas, Nevada. Tomiyasu then describes his father's career in Las Vegas as a vegetable farmer. He talks about the process and challenges his father faced as a farmer in Nevada, and the techniques he used to maintain his land. Tomiyasu then discusses taking over his father's farm, racial discrimination the family faced, and the farm's purchasing agreements with local grocery stores. He also talks about the water systems his farm and the surrounding area relied on, as well as the animals that lived in the area. Tomiyasu ends his interview by discussing his mother's life story and his wife and children.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Fluff LeCoque conducted by Joyce Marshall on May 05, 1997 for the Women's Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN) Las Vegas Women Oral History Project. LeCoque discusses the history of Las Vegas, Nevada’s entertainment industry. LeCoque recalls her dance experience in Las Vegas including work at the Thunderbird Hotel and Casino, and performing as a principal dancer for Arden-Fletcher Productions at the Desert Inn. LeCoque retired from dancing in 1970 but recalls being lured out of retirement by Donn Arden to become company manager of Jubilee at the new MGM Grand Hotel (later renamed Bally's). Finally, she talks about the economic, social, and political changes that occurred in Las Vegas after World War II.
Archival Collection
The Dorothy Dorothy Photograph Collection (approximately 1910-1985) consists of black-and-white photographic prints and negatives as well as colored transparencies of Dorothy Dorothy. Included are photographs of campaigns, meetings, and banquets with various local and federal politicians. Also included are photographs of her husband, Dale Dorothy, and their ranch in Pahrump, Nevada.
Archival Collection
The James E. Deacon Pupfish Research Files (approximately 1960-2015) contain files kept by James E. Deacon, who was a faculty member in the biological sciences and environmental studies department at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. The collection primarily contains research files and audiovisual recordings about the Devils Hole pupfish, an endangered species of desert fish only found in Nevada. Also included are copies of Deacon’s testimony and reports for a hearing from 2011 on the probable groundwater pumping by the Southern Nevada Water Authority in Spring, Cave, Dry Lake, and Delamar Valleys (SCDD) in Nevada. The SCDD files also contain copies of exhibits referenced by Deacon in his initial and rebuttal reports for the hearing.
Archival Collection