Oral history interview with Willie Thompson conducted by Claytee D. White on November 25, 2019 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Thompson discusses his early life in Tulsa, Oklahoma and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1995. Thompson recalls the Doolittle Senior Center, the Moulin Rouge Hotel and Casino, and his involvement in the Martin Luther King Jr. parade. Lastly, Thompson talks about volunteering with the Mirage Reading Program.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Bill Hornbuckle conducted by Claytee D. White on December 03, 2019 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Hornbuckle discusses his early life Connecticut and arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1977. He talks about his initial interest in the hospitality industry, organizing venues, and becoming Chief Operating Officer of MGM Resorts International. Lastly, Hornbuckle describes the growth and future of the Las Vegas Strip.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Patsy Blair Taylor and Marshal Taylor conducted by Claytee D. White on December 17, 2018 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. In this interview, Patsy discusses her upbringing in Lovelock, Nevada and moving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1963. She remembers the city at the time and attending the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Marshal talks about his employment at the Nevada Test Site, and joining the City of North Las Vegas as a park planner and grant writer. Lastly, Patsy and Marshal describe early movie theaters, curfews for teenagers, and early ambulance services.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Carol Harter conducted by Claytee D. White on June 18, 2021 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project.
Carol Harter is the longest-serving President of UNLV, from 1995 until 2006. The campus experienced unprecedented growth during that time, including the addition of a new, very large library. Harter grew the campus from 19,000 to 28,000 students, added 23 new or completely renovated buildings to the campus, and with a student-centered focus, added more than 100 new degree programs. Two professional schools, the Dental School and Boyd School of Law, added greatly to the prestige and academic Top Tier status of UNLV.
Her partnership with Glenn Schaeffer, former president of the Mandalay Resort Group, assisted in the early work of the Black Mountain Institute (BMI) Modern Letters program. BMI is an international think tank dedicated to advancing literary and cross-cultural dialogue. This was an important goal to Harter and Schaeffer, who were both literature majors. Harter also discusses many community members who made an impact on UNLV including Joe Crowley and Dr. Juanita Fain.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Adla Earl conducted by Suzanne Becker on May 20, 2009 for the Voices of the Historic John S. Park Neighborhood. In this interview, Earl discusses her upbringing in Las Vegas, Nevada and living in the John S. Park neighborhood. She remembers purchasing her home, the influence and increase of the LGBTQ+ population in the area, and the historic designation of the neighborhood. Lastly, Earl talks about changes in the neighborhood.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Dick Franco conducted by Su Kim Chung on July 14, 2021 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Richard Francis or Dick Franco, his stage name by which he is more commonly known, has been juggling for over 50 years, having learned the art while he was still in high school. Taught by prominent juggling legends in Vaudeville and Las Vegas, Franco would go on to perform all over the world. He began as an opening act with the Harlem Globetrotters in the US, but he then traveled Europe and was featured in variety and production shows in Blackpool, London, Monte Carlo, and Berlin among others.
Franco won specialty awards in Monte Carlo and Paris for his juggling prowess. In the US, Franco performed extensively in Las Vegas at the shows Hallelujah Hollywood, Lido de Paris, Folies Bergere and Jubilee. He then performed many shows in Branson, MO before becoming an entertainment agent and producer in Las Vegas. His wife and daughter traveled all over the world with him and both would perform in his acts.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Rosemarie and Gregory Johnson conducted by Amber Rose Johnson on December 04, 2016 and December 05, 2016 for African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In the first interview, Gregory discusses his early life and growing up in Las Vegas, Nevada. He talks about being being an electrician and member of the IBEW Local 357 in Las Vegas, and Union workers' strike. In the second interview, Rosemarie discusses her upbringing and arriving to Las Vegas in 1984. Lastly, Gregory and Rosemarie describe the implications of being an interracial couple, and the intersections of race and class.
Archival Collection
Oral history interviews with Don Cunningham conducted by Claytee D. White on January 13, 2017, January 26, 2017, and February 10, 2017 for African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. In the first interview, Cunningham discusses his upbringing in St. Louis, Missouri and his early interest in music. He talks about becoming a musician in the military, and traveling around the world to play in the military bands. In the second interview, Cunningham remembers the transition out of the military, becoming a freelance musician, and arriving to Las Vegas, Nevada in 1969. In the final interview, Cunningham discusses his involvement with the Las Vegas Jazz Society, and receiving a Lifetime Achievement Award.
Archival Collection
The Adele von Bibra Personal Papers (1867, 1937-1968) include correspondence from the early life of Adele von Bibra, particularly during World War II. The collection also includes holiday cards, academic records, correspondence pertaining to her marriage to Hendrick Zwart, and yearly planners from later in her life.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Wendy Starkweather conducted by Claytee D. White on April 9, 2021 for the Boyer Early Las Vegas Oral History Project. Wendy Starkweather (born 1949) served as the public face of Lied Library 20 years ago when the building was first constructed. She discusses her time at Lied Library with specific references to her most memorable moments and her favorite aspects of the library's architecture. Wendy also talks about her retirement from UNLV in 2010 and how she has kept busy in recent years by traveling, reading, and participating in the political arena. Subjects discussed include: Lied Library, Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America, and Book Clubs.
Archival Collection
