Early Families of Las Vegas
On Thursday, March 5th join us as we look back at Early Families of Las Vegas.
We will shine a spotlight on the families that helped build and nuture Las Vegas from 1905 through the Great Depression.
It will be a great night of history and memories so we hope you will join us and our panelists:
Paul Carson - local historian with a great deal of knowledge on the family of Helen J. Stewart.
June Eddins - her family had a business on Fremont Street
Bill Gildner -his family arrived in the throes of the Great Depression
Don Payne - local historian
Las Vegas Springs Preserve
Desert Learning Center
7:00 pm
$12 admission
We hope to see you there!
The Railroad, the Cottages and Early Las Vegas

On Thursday, February 5th we have a very unique panel centered around the history of the railroad in Las Vegas.
As many of our readers know, the railroad put Las Vegas on the proverbial map. It's importance in those early, beginning days of Las Vegas cannot be understated. The railroad provided many of the jobs for the small community and also provided cottages for its workers to live in.
Over the years, the railroad cottages were home not only to those connected with the company but as the community grew and the railroad grew less important, many of the cottages were turned into businesses.
Finally, many fell into disrepair and most were demolished to make room for bigger and better offices.
But for an evening we are going to look back on this buildings that were home to many of our pioneering residents. We will talk about their historic importance, the battle to save them and the story of their ultimate preservation. We will also talk about the importance of the railroad in sustaining the small community in those formative years.
Join us and our panelists to learn more about our early history and the story behind the Cottages.
Donna Andress
Eileen Fitzgerald Carson
Paul Stewart
Brian "Paco" Alvarez
Thursday, February 5th
Las Vegas Springs Preserve
Desert Learning Center
7:00 pm
Admission is $12
We hope to see you there for this rare evening of early Las Vegas history!

Las Vegas Holidays- Mad Men Style

Wilbur and Toni Clark at home for the holidays
Join us on Thursday, Dec. 4th for
"Untold Stories":
"Mad Men Holidays: Celebrating the holidays in Mid-Century Modern Las Vegas
On December 4th, our monthly series, Untold Stories at the Las Vegas Springs Preserve will look back at the way Las Vegans celebrated the holidays in Post-War Las Vegas. From fun decorations outside and in, Holiday parades, Holiday programs at school, aluminum trees with color wheels and lavishly flocked trees all accompanied by the prayer to Santa to please bring snow along with lots of presents.
Joining us in our look at the spirit of holidays past will be native born Las Vegans:
Mary Joy Alderman, Pam Hartley, Gretchen Stamos and tentatively, a surprise guest (who will offer a little history about the way the holidays were celebrated before the war.)
It should be alot of fun and the Las Vegas Springs Preserve will have its Festival of Lights ablaze as well as its Farmer Markets and Wolfgang Puck's restaurant will be open before the Roundtable begins, so stop by early if you're so inclined.
Thursday, Dec. 4th
Untold Stories
Las Vegas Springs Preserve
Desert Learning Center
7:00 pm
Admission is $12 for non-members, $10 for members, $6.50 children 5-17
Reservations requested
(702) 822-7786
We hope to see you there!
December's "Untold Stories" will look back at the way we used to celebrate the holidays with a focus on
Looking back at the MGM Grand Fire

Join us on Thursday, November 6th for:
"Untold Stories: A Look Back at the MGM Grand Fire"
It was the deadlist hotel fire in Nevada history and the second deadlist in American history. We will look back at the events that caused the fire, the heroism and cooperation that helped saved thousands of lives and the legacy of the fire.
Panelists include:
Las Vegas Sun reporter, Mary Manning
KLAS-Channel 8 anchor, Gary Waddell
MGM employee Jose Alvarez
MGM baker, Don Feldman
and tentatively, Clark County Fire Chief, Steve Smith.
This should be a tremendous evening of history and stories so please join us at:
The Las Vegas Springs Preserve
Desert Learning Center
7:00 pm
Admission is $12
The Families Who Built Las Vegas
Ever curious about the early days of Las Vegas? Ever wonder how they carved a city out of the desert? Want to know how a small railroad town became the Entertainment Capital of the World? Or just curious about little known stories?
Then join us for "The Families Who Built Las Vegas" on Wednesday, Oct. 15th at the Nevada State Museum. Our roundtable participants include:
Donna and Gail Andress, Mary Carmichael Cashman, Mike Pinjuv and more.
Reception is at 6:00 pm
Discussion begins at 7:00 pm
Admission is $3.
Nevada State Museum
700 Twin Lakes Drive
Lorenzi Park
We hope to see you there!


