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Leslee Thomas oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03350

Abstract

Oral history interview with Leslee Thomas conducted by Claytee D. White on March 13, 2024 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Thomas is the granddaughter of Larry Wilburn and daughter of Terry Wilburn, owners of Larry's Sight & Sound, a business institution in the Westside. The business, first located at 1318 D Street, was initially called Larry's Music Bar. The Music Bar moved to Owens Avenue and was renamed Larry's Sight & Sound. For 35 years until 1992, the music shop drew in stars and locals for its vinyl records, record players, and casssettes. In the interview, Thomas shares how she learned to work in the business, stay connected to family, and be a contributing member of the community. She describes her dreams for the Westside, which include giving tourists reasons to visit the Black community, capital investments, and marketing. Digital audio available; no transcript available.

Archival Collection

Jerry Cade oral history interviews

Identifier

OH-02539

Abstract

Oral history interviews with Jerry Cade conducted by Dennis McBride on various dates in February, May, June, July, and November of 2003 for the Las Vegas Gay Archives Oral History Project. In these interviews, Cade recalls his early life in Kermit, Texas, his education, his Methodist upbringing, and understanding his sexuality during high school and college. He then talks about traveling to Spain in January 1976 where he met his first romantic partner. Cade then describes moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1981 to work at the Community Health Centers of Southern Nevada. He also discusses other relationships he had since moving to Las Vegas, his political activism, working on the first American Medical Association panel to study AIDS in 1983, and his first AIDS patient in August 29, 1985. Cade then elaborates on the history of AIDS in Las Vegas, AIDS support and advocacy groups in Las Vegas, the public perception of AIDS and the gay community, and the repeal of Nevada's sodomy law.

Archival Collection

Lee Murialdo oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01353

Abstract

Oral history interview with Lee Murialdo conducted by Kim Burco on February 26, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Murialdo discusses the history of Las Vegas, Nevada as it pertains to casinos and city growth. Murialdo describes the initial founding of the city and origins of the name "Las Vegas," entertainment on the Las Vegas Strip, and the different games available to play in casinos. Murialdo also describes the construction of the Flamingo Hotel and Casino, as well as the construction of the Hoover (Boulder) Dam. Murialdo goes on to discuss her novel and why she decided to move to Las Vegas.

Archival Collection

Rainier Spencer oral history interview

Identifier

OH-02888

Abstract

Oral history interview with Rainier Spencer conducted by Sarah Buckner on April 27, 2015 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Spencer discusses his personal history and arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1997. He talks about his experience as a professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) and his involvement regarding diversity issues at UNLV. Spencer then discusses the novel Imitation of Life by Fannie Hurst and how he uses the issues of racism in that story to describe the notion of biological race, social race, and the idea that race is socially constructed. Later, Spencer recalls teaching civil rights courses and how he dealt with students who had misconceptions about the course subjects. Lastly, Spencer talks about his favorite pieces of literature to use in his courses.

Archival Collection

Rodrigo Vazquez oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03769

Abstract

Oral history interview with Rodrigo Vazquez conducted by Nathalie Martinez and Barbara Tabach on May 24, 2021 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project.

Rodrigo was raised in a mixed status Mexican family. He was born in Mexico and immigrated to the United States at the age of three, later becoming a citizen when he was in the 8th grade. Rodrigo is currently a graduate student worker for the Latinx Voices Oral History Project and reflects on what he has learned. He also discusses what the past year of the Coronavirus pandemic has been like for him.

Subjects discussed include: Latinx and Mexican identities, COVID-19 era, and Latinx Voices Project oral historian

Archival Collection

David Yancy oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03882

Abstract

Oral history interview with David Yancy conducted by Claytee D. White on September 19, 2022 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: A Collaborative Oral History Project. In this interview, Yancy recalls moving to Las Vegas, Nevada with his parents in 1963, living on the Westside, and many of the businesses within the area's commerce and entertainment corridor. He attended Rancho High School, and went to the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, one of the Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). After graduation, Yancy worked in insurance and then became the auditor for the State of Arkansas. In 1976, he returned to Las Vegas and worked thirty-one years for the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC), and he recalls laying out the grids and designing the bus routes for Las Vegas.

Archival Collection

Jean Whitcher oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01966

Abstract

Oral history interview with Jean Whitcher conducted by Michele deHoll on March 12, 1981 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Witcher discusses arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1932 and describes the construction of Boulder (Hoover) Dam, Fremont Street before it was fully paved, and social life in Las Vegas at the time. Witcher then recalls her work in costume repair and construction as a seamstress at the El Rancho Hotel and Casino. Later, Witcher discusses her work in costume design and recalls some of her more memorable designs.

Archival Collection

Howard Wasden oral history interview

Identifier

OH-01920

Abstract

Oral history interview with Howard Wasden conducted by Gillian Collins on an unknown date in the 1970s for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Wasden discusses arriving in Las Vegas, Nevada in 1925 and working for the railroad. Wasden explains how the railroad was a predominant economic asset for Las Vegas at the time. He then describes living on the Westside "Old Town", education in Las Vegas, attending the University of Nevada, Reno, and eventually becoming a teacher. Lastly, Wasden discusses the population growth, development of the Las Vegas Strip, and his role as principal of West Charleston School.

Archival Collection

Tina Kwan oral history interview

Identifier

OH-03848

Abstract

Oral history interview with Tina Kwan conducted by Cecilia Winchell, Stefani Evans, and Jerwin Tiu on March 19, 2022 for Reflections: The Las Vegas Asian American and Pacific Islander Oral History Project.

In this interview, Tina Kwan memorializes her late sister, Wendy Kwan, sharing stories of Wendy's life and experiences as the oldest child of first generation immigrant parents. Wendy helped complete her family's paperwork to open a restaurant at the age of 13, worked at the restaurant on weekends, and babysat Tina throughout the week. Tina shares Wendy's aspirations to become a fashion designer and the circumstances that led to Wendy's death. Tina also discusses how her sister's death impacted their family and her own life journey, her grieving process, and some of her favorite memories with Wendy.

Archival Collection

James Cardle oral history interview

Identifier

OH-00337

Abstract

Oral history interview with James Cardle conducted by Dr. David Emerson on April 25, 2006 for the UNLV @ 50 Oral History Project. In this interview James Cardle speaks about how he came to the University of Nevada, Las Vegas in August of 1985 and began teaching a class on wastewater treatment. He spoke about how he was a member of the curriculum committee, did research on the Yucca Mountain project, and also worked on setting up a master's program.

Archival Collection