The Babe Pier Papers (approximately 1962-2012) include promotional materials, photographs, and audiovisual materials documenting the career of Las Vegas, Nevada-based comedian and impressionist, Babe Pier. Materials include Pier's show reels, fliers, posters, and photographs of Pier as a solo entertainer and as part of comedy groups such as the Vagabonds and the Happy Jesters. The collection includes recordings of Pier's appearances on television shows like the Mike Douglas Show and Milton Berle's comedy special as well as his comedic boxing charity fights. Materials also contain personal photographs of Pier and his family, including his wife, Cindy Raft, who managed an entertainment agency and was also an entertainer in Las Vegas.
Archival Collection
The Joan Gordon Family Films (approximately 1930-1939) consist of two color 16mm films from the 1930s which feature Benjamin "Bugsy" Siegel and his daughters in a swimming pool in Los Angeles, California and other locations in Southern California. Also included are two reproductions of black-and-white photographs featuring Esther, Milicent, and Barbara Siegel along with Joan Gordon, her sister and mother. Joan Gordon grew up in Los Angeles, California and her family was neighbors with Benjamin and Esther Siegel and their daughters Millicent and Barbara.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with David Sklansky conducted by Claytee D. White on October 19, 2022 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Sklansky arrived in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1967. While in Las Vegas, he recalls working as the mathematical consultant to Bob Stupak for many years where he developed some of the games used in Stupak's Vegas World Casino. He also taught poker and gambling, and was entered in The Griffin Book which contained names and photographss of people who found ways to win in the casino by legal means.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Cecelia Zamora and Celia Rivero Mummey conducted by Claytee D. White on January 15, 2022 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Celia Rivero Mummey is the mother of Cecelia Zamora, and both participate in this interview. Both were born in Las Vegas, Nevada and Mummey recalls the Helldorado Parades as her favorite part of the city. Mummey's mother and father - Margarita and Francisco - owned the first Mexican restaurant in the city. Frank's Cafe was located at Fremont and First Streets. The interview covers memories of other downtown business locations, cruising on Fremont Street, outings to Lake Mead, living in Vegas Heights, Culinary Union membership, working in various hotels, and Las Vegas entertainment.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Jane Overy conducted by Claytee D. White on August 17 and December 20, 2023 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Overy discusses her museum work, early life, and many civic projects she has participated in over the years. Overy grew up in Kansas, where she spent time playing pool (billards) and spending time outdoors. After high school, she joined the United States Air Force and served in Alaska where there were two women, each with a private guard. Additionally, she worked as a newspaper reporter and as an entertainer who sang around the world. Overy served in the military for four years. In 1981, she moved to Nevada and desert climate for the improvement of her overall health. Over the years, her work and civic projects connected her with Senator Harry Reid, the Walking Box Ranch, the Searchlight Nugget Casino, and many other experiences.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Gloria Dea Anzalone conducted by Claytee D. White on October 22, 2022 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Gloria Dea describes her childhood in Oakland, California where she learned the art of magic from her father. Her family moved to Sacramento where Gloria Dea first performed in Breuners Department Store and by age twelve, she was working in nighclubs. Later in Hollywood, Gloria Dea danced in several films and entertained in USO shows. She performed in 1941 at the Last Frontier and the El Rancho - some of the earliest places on what was later the Las Vegas Strip. In the interview, she recalls time serving as president of both the Women's Club of Burbank, Hadassah, and the board of American Guild of Variery Artists.
Archival Collection
The Karen and Eric Warren Collection of Folies Bergère Programs (approximately 1890-1950) contain programs from the Folies Bergère cabaret music hall in Paris, France. Materials also include programs from the Folies Bergère revue that was produced for the Tropicana Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada; San Francisco, California; and London, England. The collection features entertainers who performed as part of the Folies Bergère including Josephine Baker in the 1920s.
Archival Collection
The Felicia Campbell Papers (approximately 1962-2020) contains material documenting the life and work of long-time UNLV English professor, Felicia Campbell. Materials include Campbell's personal and professional papers including correspondence, scholarly journals featuring her published articles, article drafts, newspaper clippings, photographs, personal diaries, and awards. Also included are materials documenting Campbell's discrimination lawsuit against UNLV in the 1970s regarding equal pay for tenured female faculty.
Archival Collection
The Kathy Eastland Papers (1972-2003) document Kathy Eastland's experiences working in Nevada brothels. Materials include ephemera and memorabilia collected by Eastland from various brothels in Nevada such as the Mustang Ranch, the Moonlite BunnyRanch, and Old Bridge Ranch. Included in the collection are brothel menus and photographs of Eastland and other sex workers socializing in the brothels. The collection also contains notes, research, and drafts of Eastland's manuscript
Archival Collection
The Junior League of Las Vegas Oral History Project (2011-2019) consists of five oral history interviews conducted by Carole Terry between 2011 and 2019. Interviewees discuss their experiences living in Las Vegas and being part of the Junior League of Las Vegas. Interviews exist as physical transcripts only; no audio is available.
Archival Collection