Mark Hall-Patton, administrator of Clark County Museums and since 2008 a frequent guest on the popular cable television show Pawn Stars, was born in 1954 in San Diego, California. His mother was a registered nurse and his father served in the United States Navy. From early childhood, Mark’s interest in history and museums shaped his path in life. After graduating high school in Santa Ana, California, he earned his Bachelor’s degree in history at nearby University of California, Irvine. Degree in hand, Mark worked for Bowers Museum in Santa Ana and founded the Anaheim Museum in 1984. He moved to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1993 to create the Howard W. Cannon Aviation Museum in McCarran International Airport. By 2008, Mark had become administrator over all Clark County museums. In this interview, he explains the various ways his involvement with the popular Pawn Stars program has turned “the museum guy” into a brand, introduced production companies to the value of filming in Las Vegas, increased Clark County museum visits and donations, and raised popular awareness of the academic fields of history and museum studies.
Description given with photo: "Hughes Leaves For California, Washington: Howard Hughes signs autographs as he arrives at Washington Airport Aug. 12 for return trip to California following the adjournment of the Senate hearing on his plane contracts. Hughes said he would be back on Now. 17 to finish his story before the Senate Subcommittee if the inquiry is resumed on the date. Creditline (ACME) 8/12/47."
Description given with photo: "As Hughes Dropped "Blackmail" Charge - Washington, D.C., Howard Hughes, multi-millionaire air-plane builder, left, is shown leaning over the council table as he agreed to call of his "Blackmail" feud with Senator Owen Brewster at the end of today's heated session of the Senate Subcommittee's hearing of Hughes' wartime aircraft contracts. Committee members seated at the table (right) are: left to right: Senators J. Howard McGrath (D), Rhode Island: Claud Pepper (D), Florida: Homer Ferguson (R), Mich., chairman, and John J. Williams (R) del. spectators, reporters and photographers crowd around the committee table. Photograph by N.K. Benson 8/8/47." Another description given with photo: "Committee Closes Books On Hughes' Charges, Washington: Howard Hughes (right) exchanges remarks across the table with Sen. Homer Ferguson (R-Mich.), left, chairman of the Senate War Investigating Subcommittee, after the latter announced that the committee had closed its books on the inquiry into Hughes' charge that Sen. Owen Brewster attempted to "blackmail" him. Sitting next to Sen. Ferguson is committee member Sen. John J. Williams (R-Dela.), and standing directly behind Sen. Williams is Sen. Brewster (R-Maine), smiling broadly. Credit (ACME) 8/8/47."