Oral history interview with Richard and Gertrude Rudiak with Dani Ramage conducted by Barbara Tabach on December 30, 2015 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. Richard talks about his father, who was an early Nevada Assemblyman and a civil rights activist. Gertrude discusses her hobby of playing the pipe organ, teaching in both secular and Jewish education, and being on many community boards.
Oral history interview with Sharon Maurer-Schwartz conducted by Barbara Tabach on February 01, 2016 for the Southern Nevada Jewish Heritage Project. Maurer-Schwartz, with her wife Edna Rice, talks about being part of the gay/Jewish life together over the years including in Las Vegas, Nevada. Both women discuss why they moved to Nevada and the early days of The Center, an LGBT center, which hosted a Passover Seder.
Oral history interview with Rita Deanin Abbey conducted by Claytee White on November 29, 2014 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. The artist and UNLV Emeritus Professor of Art discusses her early education and training in art that led her to work in sculpture, painting, stained glass, and other mediums. She also talks about her pieces created for the Jewish community in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Oral history interview with Faye Rhea Porter conducted by Barbara Tabach on June 13, 2012 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Porter discusses her father's employment at the Nevada Test Site. Porter talks about her father being unable to describe the type of work he did with family or friends and tells anecdotes about the secrecy of the test site. She then recalls her sister and her employment at the Nevada Test Site until an accident on the way to the site resulted in her death.
Oral history interview with Jennilee Thayer conducted by Claytee D. White on August 12, 2009 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Thayer discusses arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1936 when it was still a mining town. She describes early Henderson, Nevada, attending Basic High School, and recalls her father’s employment at the Basic Magnesium Plant. Lastly, Thayer discusses her employment in show production, atomic bomb testing, and changes in Las Vegas.
Oral history interview with Muriel Parks conducted by Judy Drappo on February 26, 1979 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Parks discusses her personal history and the history of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). Parks discusses her career working at UNLV as the Director of Admissions and Records, and how the university has changed over time. Parks also discusses the career of Maude Frazier and their personal relationship.
Oral history interview with Marjory Gusewelle Phillips conducted by Jodie C. Tenuta on May 11, 1976 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Phillips discusses growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada and describes various recreational activities throughout the city. Phillips then discusses the significance of the Helldorado Parade to locals and how the parade brought the community together. Phillips later recalls watching the Boulder (Hoover) Dam being constructed and the events around the opening of the dam.
Oral history interview with Dr. Joseph Rojas conducted by Suzanne Lubritz on February 25, 1980 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Rojas describes his career as a gynecologist in Las Vegas, Nevada after being stationed at Nellis Air Force Base as chief of OBGYN during his time enlisted in the U.S. Air Force. Rojas also discusses how health care and medicine has evolved in Las Vegas, and Nevada as a whole.
Oral history interview with Thomas McDonald conducted by Ted Papatheodorou on July 05, 1975 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, McDonald describes his experiences running a newspaper and a restaurant in Chicago, Illinois before moving to Las Vegas, Nevada to work as a manager at the Stardust Hotel and Casino. McDonald shares several short anecdotes, such as being thrown off of a freight train in 1915 in early Las Vegas, or serving then-Senator Lyndon B. Johnson at his restaurant in Chicago.
Oral history interview with Geneva Stark Merwin conducted by Elizabeth Nelson Patrick on August 24, 1983 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. In this interview, Merwin discusses her career and experiences as a teacher in Pahrump, Nevada after moving there in 1941. Merwin also discusses some of the people in the town and its layout. Merwin goes on to describe her teaching career in Las Vegas, Nevada after being recommended to the school board by Maude Frazier.