The Lucille "Seely" Cragin Papers contain materials documenting the public relations activities of Cragin and her husband, former Las Vegas Mayor Ernie W. Cragin. The collection dates from 1926 to 1957 and is comprised of newspaper clippings, correspondence, memorabilia, and photographs. The majority of this collection focuses on the christening of the cargo ship the S.S. Las Vegas Victory, which she helped sponsor. This material was formerly known as the Mrs. E. W. Cragin Papers.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with M.J. Christensen conducted by Rick Maggot on October 23, 1974 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Christensen recalls living in Las Vegas, Nevada during the crash of Carole Lombard’s plane and describes local reactions to the early aboveground atomic tests. He also discusses family, religious life, and the Mormon Church. Christensen speaks about his time as the head of the Merchant’s Bureau, president of the Chamber of Commerce, and the president of the Southern Nevada Better Business Bureau. He also discusses being an assemblyman for eight years and serving for four years as a senator in the state of Nevada.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Lois Cox conducted by Mitch Cox on March 18, 1978 for the Ralph Roske Oral History Project on Early Las Vegas. Lois Cox discusses her experiences growing up in and living in Nevada. Cox first discusses her family background, growing up Basque, and her educational and employment backgrounds. She then describes her career in the Clark County School District and the changes in school and student activities over time.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Theron and Naomi Goynes conducted by Claytee White on June 28, 2012 for the African Americans in Las Vegas: a Collaborative Oral History Project. Both Theron and Naomi Goynes discuss being African-American educators with Theron recalling his position as a North Las Vegas City Councilman. They also discuss the progression of school integration and special reading programs for students.
Archival Collection
The John Vergiels Political Papers (1964-1997) contain the professional files from John Vergiels' career as a Nevada State Assemblyman and Senator. The papers cover a broad range of his activities in office, including committee work and dedication to issues such as education, finance, transportation, government affairs, commerce, labor, and care for people with disabilities. Materials include meeting agendas and minutes, bill drafts and summaries, supporting materials for bills and voting issues, and correspondence from individual and organizational constituents.
Archival Collection
The Howard Cannon Papers (1958-2002) contain the personal, administrative, and legislative papers of Howard W. Cannon, U.S. Senator from Nevada between 1959 to 1983. The collection primarily pertains to Cannon's time in office from the 86th Congress in 1959 to the 97th Congress in 1983. Materials include correspondence, speech transcripts and supporting research material, press releases, reports, memoranda, newspaper and magazine clippings, Senate voting records, and photographic negatives taken by the U.S. Senate photographer Arthur E. Scott. The collection also includes constituent correspondence and casework related to legislative issues such as foreign relations, social security, veterans, tax reform, labor, aviation, nuclear testing and waste, civil rights, and environmental protection.
Archival Collection
Oral history interview with Catherine Cortez Masto conducted by Claytee D. White on August 10, 2018 for the Latinx Voices of Southern Nevada Oral History Project. Catherine Cortez Masto grew up in Las Vegas near where the town ended and the desert began, which at that time was near Decatur and Pennwood. She grew up playing in the streets and riding horses and motor bikes with girlfriends and cousins. Her father, Manny Cortez, began as a valet at the Dunes before entering politics. He served 16 years on the County Commission and then 13 years as the chief of the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority. As the head of the LVCVA, Manny oversaw campaigns to increase tourism, enlarge McCarran International Airport, improve taxicab service, and served as a visionary for the entire region. Catherine followed in her father's footsteps while being her own woman and making her own mark on the region. She attended college at UNR and law school at Gonzaga University School of Law. After a clerkship, she worked for a small local Las Vegas firm for 4 - 5 years, then moved to the governor's and then served two terms as Nevada's Attorney General. Currently she's in the US Senate with committee assignments that include Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs; Energy and Natural Resources; Commerce, Science, and Transportation; Rules and Administration; Indian Affairs, and the Committee on Aging. Subjects discussed include: Dunes, Manny Cortez, County Commission, LVCVA, Judge Carl Christensen, Judge Mendoza, Taxi Authority, Tourism, and Mike O'Callaghan.
Archival Collection
The Max R. McComb Photograph Collection (approximately 1970-1979) is comprised of five color photographic prints and corresponding negatives of Howell C. Garrison's home in Las Vegas, Nevada, taken for Max McComb's research paper on Howell C. Garrison, who was the mayor of the City of Las Vegas from 1941 to 1943.
Archival Collection
The Paul May Photograph Collection (1969) consists of black-and-white and color photographic prints. The images primarily depict Nevada Assemblyman Paul May alongside Nevadan senators and congressmen, including Senator Paul Laxalt. Other images are portraits of May.
Archival Collection
The Woodrow Wilson Photograph Collection consists of black-and-white photographic prints and negatives. The images depict black elected government leaders attending the first Conference of Black Elected Officials held in Washington, D.C. in September 1969. Of particular interest are images of Nevada's first black state legislator, Woodrow Wilson; Georgia state representative, Julian Bond; and President Richard Nixon.
Archival Collection
