Mark Hall-Patton, administrator of Clark County Museums and since 2008 a frequent guest on the popular cable television show Pawn Stars, was born in 1954 in San Diego, California. His mother was a registered nurse and his father served in the United States Navy. From early childhood, Mark’s interest in history and museums shaped his path in life. After graduating high school in Santa Ana, California, he earned his Bachelor’s degree in history at nearby University of California, Irvine. Degree in hand, Mark worked for Bowers Museum in Santa Ana and founded the Anaheim Museum in 1984. He moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1993 to create the Howard W. Cannon Aviation Museum in McCarran International Airport. By 2008, Mark had become administrator over all Clark County museums. In this interview, he explains the various ways his involvement with the popular Pawn Stars program has turned “the museum guy” into a brand, introduced production companies to the value of filming in Las Vegas, increased Clark County museum visits and donations, and raised popular awareness of the academic fields of history and museum studies.
Typed onto a piece of paper attached to the image: "Crowd Greets Hughes On Arrival In Capital, Washington D.C. -- Howard Hughes and his companions came to Washington July 21, to personally thank Secretary of State Cordell Hull for the State Department's co-operation on their record world flight, and incidentally to be feted at a luncheon of the Press Club. The photo shows Hughes, in park suit and black hat, as he was led through a huge crowd on his arrival at the Washington Airport. Credit Line (ACME) 7/21/38 (NY FOR)."
Description printed on back of photograph: "As Hughes and his crew thanked Hull for cooperation Washington, D. C.-- Howard Hughes and his intrepid companions are shown here as they visited the State Department, July 21st, to thank Secretary Cordell Hull for cooperation on their round-the-world flight. Left to right: Richard Stoddart, Thomas Thurlow, Howard Hughes, Secretary of State Cordell Hull and Harry Connor. Credit Line (ACME) 7/21/38."
Description printed on photograph's accompanying sheet of paper: "Hughes thanks State Department for Co-operation. Washington, D. C. -- Howard Hughes (left), with Jesse Hones (right), Chairman of the RFC, leaving the State Department here, July 21, after Hughes personally thanked Secretary of State Cordell hull for the cooperation of the State Department in clearing Hughes departure in the round-the-world record flight. Credit Line (ACEM) 7/21/38."
Typed onto a piece of paper attached to the image: "Hughes and Flyers Welcomed to Chicago - A view of the parade staged in honor of Howard Hughes and his four companions passing down La Salle Street, Chicago, in a shower of ticker-tape and paper. The flyers, who circled the globe in 3 days and 19 hours, are in the first three autos. Credit Lines (ACME) 7/30/38 (NY)."