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Hal Erickson oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00546

Abstract

Oral history interview with Hal Erickson conducted by Alice Brown on April 01, 1998 for the UNLV University Libraries Oral History Collection. In this interview, Erickson discusses starting work at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas libraries in 1965 and his first impressions of the library. Erickson discusses the organizational and catalog systems of the library and his efforts to improve library organization.

Archival Collection

Ida Webb oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03436

Abstract

Oral history interview with Ida Webb conducted by Claytee D. White on February 29, 1996 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Webb discusses her childhood in the American South. She discusses her family's move from Tallulah, Louisiana to McNary, Arizona, and then their migration to Las Vegas, Nevada. Webb shares her experiences as a young African American mother in Las Vegas in the 1940s and the things her and her husband did to provide for their family. She shares her views on her marriage and her views on African American culture of the time. Webb discusses her husband's civic involvement and his job at the Las Vegas Sun. She details her experiences working in the hospitality industry for such early casinos as the El Rancho Hotel & Casino, The Flamingo Hotel & Casino, and the Last Frontier Hotel & Casino. She shares her own civic involvements and her participation in the Culinary Workers Union Local 226.

Archival Collection

Billy Root oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02569

Abstract

Oral history interview with Billy Root conducted by Lisa Gioia-Acres on May 14, 2008 for the All That Jazz Oral History Project. Root begins by discussing his upbringing in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where he developed an early interest in being a musician due to encouragement from his father, who was also a musician. He describes playing baritone saxophone in the Philadelphia Orchestra, performing at the Apollo Theater in Ella Fitzgerald's orchestra, and going on tour with a predominantly African American jazz band in the Southern United States during segregation. Root details his interactions and impressions of various celebrities, such as Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett, attending Playboy parties, and eventually deciding to settle in Las Vegas, Nevada. He discusses working as a professional musician in Las Vegas, where he performed in such casinos as the Dunes and the Desert Inn. He concludes by discussing his retirement and his family.

Archival Collection

Leslie Mujica oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03661

Abstract

Oral history interview with Leslie Mujica conducted by Barbrara Tabach on June 2, 2020 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project and The Great Pause: Las Vegas Chronicles of the Covid-19 Pandemic. In this interview, Mujica talks about her childhood growing up in Guatemala and immigrating to Southern California with her family in 1980. She discusses her move to Las Vegas in 2005 and her employment history both in nonprofit work and in construction, which led to the pursuit of her current position as the Executive Director and Chief Marketing Officer of Las Vegas Power Professionals. Leslie also shares her educational history with the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. It is where she obtained her Master's Degree in Public Administration and where Leslie currently serves as a board member of the Latinx Voices Project and the Alumni Legacy Board. Digital audio available; digital transcript available.

Archival Collection

Lupe Avelar oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03571

Abstract

Oral history interview with Lupe Avelar conducted by Marcela Rodriguez-Campo and Maribel Estrada Calderón for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project.

Lupe Avelar describes her life growing up in Durango, Mexico on a family farm and her immigration to New Mexico as a teen with her brother before returning back to Mexico. Lupe talks about her marriage to Eladio Avelar and how the couple eventually moved to California as well as her circumstances of moving to Las Vegas.

Subjects discussed include: cotton fields; cotton farming.

Archival Collection

History of Emergency Medical Services in Nevada Oral History Interviews

Identifier

OH-00000

Abstract

The History of Emergency Medical Services in Nevada Oral History Interviews (approximately 2012-2013) were conducted by Elwood L. Smith and John Kasinger and used for their published work, "Nevada EMS: A History of Emergency Medical Services in Nevada." The interviews were gathered by individuals, groups, and sometimes generations of emergency medical personnel working in the state of Nevada. Every county in the state is represented in the interviews.

Archival Collection

Quincella Rivers oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03647

Abstract

Oral history interview with Quincella Rivers conducted by Claytee D. White on November 20, 2019 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Quincella Rivers began by talking about where she grew up, her family life and history with the arts, and her childhood. She recalls moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1979 to finish college at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and talks about different jobs and organizations she has participated in. Rivers serves as co-chair of the Youth in Arts for Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA) Sorority, President of the Las Vegas Society, Inc., Advisory Board of Forgotten Song Foundation, and sings with Sweet Adeline International. She talks about the histories of some of the organizations, how she helped out in each of them, what their goals were, and what they did for the community. Lastly, she talks about racism in Las Vegas in the past and her personal experience with racism and segregation.

Archival Collection

Terry Cavaretta St. Jules and Rejean St. Jules oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03431

Abstract

Oral history interview with Terry Cavaretta St. Jules and Rejean St. Jules conducted by Claytee D. White on May 02, 2018 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Terry discusses her upbringing and early interest in trapeze performance. She remembers performing with her siblings, touring with her family, and arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1968. Terry talks about performing at the Circus Circus Hotel and Casino and Las Vegas production shows at the time. Later, Rejean recalls arriving to Las Vegas in 1982 as an acrobat and juggler. He describes performing in the Lido, the Folies, and Jubliee shows. Lastly, Terry and Rejean discuss their career in production shows.

Archival Collection

Gerardo Topacio, Philomena Topacio, and Teresa Prezgay oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03426

Abstract

Oral history interview with Gerardo Topacio, Philomena Topacio, and Teresa Prezgay conducted by Claytee D. White on April 13, 2018 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Gerardo discusses his early life in Manila, Philippines. He remembers the attacks in Pearl Harbor on December 07, 1941, the Japanese and Philippines conflict, and immigrating to the United States. Gerardo talks about his employment with Edgerton, Germeshausen, and Grier, Inc. (EG&G) and working at the Nevada Test Site. Philomena recalls her career in the hotel industry and being a member of the Culinary Workers Union Local 226. The couple was joined by their daughter, Teresa Prezgay. Prezgay talks about her career as a math teacher and promotes the increase of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) fields.

Archival Collection

Edwina and Johnnie E. Richardson Jr. oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03799

Abstract

Oral history interview with Edwina and Johnnie E. Richardson Jr. conducted by Claytee D. White on September 29, 2021 for African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project.

Johnnie and Edwina Richardson share their story of meeting in Las Vegas, falling in love, and operating the Macedonia Missionary Baptist Church originally established by Johnnie's father. The couple talk about their previous employment in the gaming industry before working full time with the church and their various responsibilities and outreach efforts within the community. Johnnie and Edwina also discuss Windsor Park and the circumstances of saving their home when houses in the neighborhood began sinking, as well as the impacts they saw on other families who weren't so lucky.

Archival Collection