The Maria LaCavera Papers (1947-2017) contain the papers of professional dancer Maria LaCavera. The collection documents the career of LaCavera dancing in Las Vegas, Nevada at the Flamingo Hotel in 1947, and the Last Frontier Hotel in 1949 as one of the Ramona Girls dancing in the Danny O'Neil Varieties Act. Materials include photographs of LaCavera and other Ramona Girls, newspaper clippings, correspondence, LaCavera's American Guild of Variety Artists (AGVA) employment contracts, Fabulous Las Vegas magazines, and hotel receipts. Other items of note include photographs of the 1949 Helldorado parade, a Frontier Hotel Ramona Room menu, and Frontier Hotel ephemera. There is also a copy of a self-published biography of LaCavera, written by her daughter-in-law Kristin Meyer entitled From Bon-Air to the Last Frontier. The collection also contains the digital images used to illustrate the book.
The Stocker Family Papers (1860-1982) document the family’s personal, political, and business interests including Mayme Stocker’s 1931 Nevada gaming license and Harold Stocker’s involvement in the Nevada Republican party. The collection contains family correspondence, political documents and planning materials, and business records related to the family’s gaming and real estate interests.
The Southern Nevada Chapter of the American War Mothers Organization Records (1947-1995) are comprised primarily of scrapbooks containing correspondence and minutes, numerous newspaper clippings, and photographs. Also included are pamphlets on American War Mothers organizational rituals, bylaws, history, ceremonial ephemera, flags, and a Henderson Chapter Charter. The materials also contain items relating to the North Las Vegas Chapter, the Rose Garden Chapter, and the State Chapter.
The Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada Photograph Collection contains mainly candid photographs of events and individuals affiliated with the Las Vegas-based Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada (GLCCSN) dating from 1993 to 2000. Photographs depict events honoring prominent members of the gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, and queer community; meetings at GLCCSN; and candidate nights for members of the community running for public office. The collection also includes a number of photographs of the Freedom to Marry celebration at the GLCCSN and the Gay Pride Las Vegas festival from 1998 to 1999.
The Beckley Family Photograph Collection (approximately 1891-1982) consists of black-and-white photographic prints and negatives and color photographic slides. The images depict the Beckley family, their businesses in southern Nevada, and Las Vegas, Nevada as the city developed during the first half of the twentieth century. Also included are images of airplanes at the first Las Vegas airport Anderson Field, later renamed Rockwell Field in 1925, Fremont Street in Las Vegas, and postcards of mining towns across southern Nevada.
The William S. Park Photograph Collection (approximately 1870-1960) consists of black-and-white photographic prints and negatives of the families of William S. Park, John S. Park, and John William Park, as well as photographs of the Thomas children, half-siblings of John William Park's daughter Virginia. The majority of the images show locations in Las Vegas, Nevada with a smaller number taken in Kentucky, Oklahoma, Colorado, and California. Also included are three photograph albums of William S. and John William Park as children.
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) Office of the President Records is comprised of documents used in daily matters of the Office of the President from approximately 1950 to 2007. The records in the collection document the expansion of the UNLV campus, and the academic and athletics programs offered by the university.
The Michael McKensie Pratt Professional Papers (approximately 1950-2021) contain costume designs, musical selections, and synopsis for shows that Pratt worked on in Las Vegas, Nevada including 90 Degrees & Rising, Les Folies Chic, and Jubilee!. The collection also contains souvenir show programs for cabaret shows performed in Paris, France and Las Vegas, Nevada, including Lido de Paris, Casino de Paris, Bal du Moulin Rouge, and Folies Bergere. Materials also include copies of Pratt's curriculum vita and swing bible used by Pratt when he was the co-company manager for Jubilee!. Also included are video recordings of shows Pratt choreographed and an archived version of Pratt's personal website.