Randy Lavigne, Honorary AIA, has every reason to smile. Since 1995 she has been the Executive Director for AIA (American Institute of Architects) Las Vegas professional organization; she works daily with her daughter in a beautifully restored historic building in the heart of downtown Las Vegas; and the architects with whom she works so value her contributions they compiled and submitted documentation in order to surprise her with honorary AIA membership. In this interview, Lavigne recalls growing up in segregated Emory Gap, Tennessee, where her grandfather bought all the schoolchildren new shoes every year. She details the cross-country trip that brought her to Las Vegas in 1994 and eventually to the AIA in 1995. The bulk of the interview focuses on the building where the AIA is housed and the history of the organization. In 2008 the AIA moved from its former home at UNLV’s School of Architecture to the historic Fifth Street School in downtown Las Vegas. Lavigne discusses the history of the building and its significance to the City of Las Vegas. She reveals plans to examine the architectural history Las Vegas to celebrate the AIA Chapter’s sixtieth anniversary. She also talks about diversity in the profession, the process of licensure, publications, continuing education, organizational records, and the now-defunct auxiliary organization, the Architects' Wives League.
On March 2, 1976, collector Debbie Nesbit interviewed Joseph Kine (born November 16th, 1906 in Elkhart, Iowa) in his home in Boulder City, Nevada. In this interview, Mr. Kine discusses working at Hoover Dam (Boulder Dam) as a high scaler. He also speaks about living in Boulder City in its very beginnings as a town.
Responding to complaints that water from a spring located on the Las Vegas ranch property had been contaminated, directions were given to repair and protect the spring.
Letter accompanying application for the Las Vegas Land and Water Co. to have permission to use the new well on the Las Vegas Ranch. The unsigned application is referenced below.
Letter to the state engineer accompanying the application to allow the Las Vegas Land and Water co. access to water on the Las Vegas Ranch. The unsigned application is referenced below.