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.
The black and white view of the Lockheed 14 aircraft in a hangar in New York, New York. Typed on a piece of paper attached to the image: "Readying Hughes' plane for Paris flight-- Mechanics hastened to put Howard Hughes's Lockheed 14 monoplane in shape for a flight from Floyd Bennett Airport herem to Paris. Motor trouble forced postponement and helpers were working under injunction to have the ship ready for a takeoff, July 9, "at the earliest possible moment." Photo shows: Mechanics working on the plane inside the hangar at Floyd Bennett Field. Credit Line (ACME) 7/9/1938."