Preserving Nevada’s history takes passion, persistence, and a deep respect for place—qualities that define Dr. Heidi Swank’s work. During this episode, Su Kim Chung sits down with Dr. Heidi Swank to talk about her work in preserving Nevada’s history. From an early interest in history to a career as a linguistic anthropologist, Heidi’s path led to founding the Nevada Preservation Foundation, whose early projects included the Vintage Vegas Home Tour that became the weekend long Home + History. She shares how the Foundation’s initiatives, from neighborhood designations to the Hugh Taylor Archive, have benefited residents, its expansion beyond Las Vegas, and funding through donations and service fees. Heidi reflects on legislative experience, volunteer contributions, and her surprises, challenges, and hopes for the future of preservation in Nevada. Tune in to hear from a key figure in building the Las Vegas community and protecting the history of our state. 

Key Points From This Episode:

• Dr. Heidi Swank’s work as a linguistic anthropologist before starting the Nevada Preservation Foundation. 
• Her early life and education, and how an early obsession with doorknobs sparked her interest in history.
• How Heidi’s work has been used in the state by historians and preservationists.
• Early projects of the Nevada Preservation Foundation, including the Vintage Vegas Home Tour. 
• How Nevada residents have benefitted from the Foundation's work through local neighborhood designations, Home + History, and the Hugh Taylor Archive. 
• First efforts outside of Las Vegas prior to the pandemic.
• Revenue sources including donations and fees for service work. 
• How being in the legislature supported setting up her non-profit. 
• What has surprised Heidi in her work in this sector: how long it took to find success.
• The importance of volunteers in supporting the Foundation. 
• What is most unique about Nevada.
• Heidi’s feelings about the future of the Nevada Preservation Foundation. 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Heidi Swank on LinkedIn
Heidi Swank Wikipedia
Assemblywoman Heidi Swank
Nevada Preservation Foundation
Transcript of Interview with Heidi and Scott Swank with Claytee White

Preservation Spotlight: Heidi Swank, Preservationist

Talking with Heidi Swank and Michelle Larime
Jack Levine
Jack Levine on LinkedIn
Inside 'Uncle Jack' Levine's delightful vintage Las Vegas home
Jack Levine UNLV

Tick Segerblom Wikipedia

Tick Segerblom
Eric Strain on LinkedIn
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What sparks a community’s love for its own story? In this episode of The Women Who Saved History, Claytee White and Su Kim Chung sit down with Alicia Barber, a public historian, writer, and founder of Stories in Place, to find out how she has redefined what it means to preserve Nevada’s past. Alicia shares how childhood road trips across America ignited her passion for place and how her fascination with Reno led her to turn the city into both a doctoral focus and a lifelong mission. From launching digital platforms like Reno Historical and Reno Divorce History to collaborating with local agencies to fund and share overlooked narratives, Alicia has made public history both accessible and vital. She also opens up about her transition from academia to independent historical work, the creative ways she’s navigated funding challenges, and what makes preserving Nevada’s stories so personally meaningful. Tune in to discover how Alicia is helping Nevadans connect more deeply with their places (and each other) through history!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Founding Stories in Place: Bringing history into the public sphere.
• Childhood road trips that sparked a lifelong love of place for Alicia.
• Finding Reno and making it the focus of her doctoral work.
• Discovering public history and oral history through mentorship.
• Working with the National Park Service on storytelling for sites.
• Becoming an independent public historian through necessity and passion.
• Preserving history through creative, collaborative funding.
• Creating digital tools like Reno Historical and Reno Divorce History.
• Making local history accessible to students, residents, and policymakers.
• Challenges of funding and the undervaluing of historic preservation.
• Growing public interest and progress in Reno’s preservation efforts.
• Significant historical locations in Reno that are close to Alicia’s heart.
• What makes public history in Nevada so rewarding for Alicia.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Alicia Barber

Stories in Place

Reno’s Big Gamble

The Barber Brief on Substack

Alicia Barber on LinkedIn

Alicia Barber on X

Nevada Writers Hall of Fame

UNR Special Collections

Nevada Historical Society

Historic Reno Preservation Society

Reno Historical

Reno Divorce History

'Time & Place with Alicia Barber' on KUNR

University of Nevada Oral History Program Transcripts

Nevada Museum of Art: Essay - A Legacy Revered

‘Through the Lens: Honoring the Architectural Legacy of Paul Revere Williams’

4th Street-Prater Way History Project

Our Story, Inc.

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What does it take to ensure women’s stories and accomplishments aren’t lost to history? In this powerful episode of The Women Who Saved History, we explore the legacy of Marlene Adrian, an athlete, scholar, and visionary who devoted the last three decades of her life to documenting and championing the contributions of Nevada women. Hosts Claytee White and Su Kim Chung are joined by Denise Duarte, an artist, graphic designer, author, activist, and President of Women of Diversity Productions Inc. (WOD), to reflect on Marlene’s leadership of WOD, a nonprofit that evolved from publishing academic journals to producing exhibits, oral histories, and documentaries. From providing for women’s recognition in the Las Vegas Centennial to creating the Nevada Women’s Legacy Project, Marlene’s story is a powerful example of how one woman’s vision can reshape public memory. Tune in to discover why preserving women’s history is essential for building a more inclusive future!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Marlene’s unexpected journey into historical preservation.
• The mission and evolution of Women of Diversity Productions.
• An inside look at the launch of the Las Vegas Centennial “Wall of Women.”
• Fighting for women’s inclusion in the city’s narrative.
• What went into creating the Nevada Women’s Legacy Project.
• First Ladies First: honoring Nevada’s living first ladies.
• Preserving women’s stories through documentaries and interviews.
• The importance of accessible archives and education.
• Marlene’s Milwaukee upbringing and early awareness of gender inequity.
• How her academic career in kinesiology and biomechanics shaped her historical work.
• Founding an academic journal to elevate women’s research.
• Insight into Marlene’s deep admiration for Nevada’s women leaders.
• Marlene’s personal drive, athletic achievements, and impact on women’s fencing.
• Challenges of running a volunteer-based nonprofit.
• The emotional and social value of documenting women’s lives and contributions.
• Remembering Marlene’s passion, warmth, humility, and ability to inspire others.
• Timing, mindset, and other distinct factors that fueled her success in Nevada.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Denise Duarte
Denise Duarte on LinkedIn
Women of Diversity Productions Inc.

WOD Board of Directors and Advisory Board
Marlene Joan Adrian
'A Tribute to Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal Founder Marlene Adrian'
'Marlene Adrian, Phys. Ed.'
The Women in Sport and Physical Activity Journal (WSPAJ) 

Nevada Women YouTube Channel

Gaming Gender Equality Index

Las Vegas Centennial Project

Nevada Women's Legacy Project

Claytee White

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Much of our history risks being lost if it isn’t recorded. In this episode, Su Kim Chung speaks with nuclear historian Dr. Mary Palevsky Granados about her vital work preserving Nevada’s history. We begin by exploring Dr. Palevsky Granados’s rich cultural heritage and the profound influence of her family history. From there, we dive into her career path, entrepreneurial spirit, and research journey. Our conversation highlights how her efforts have advanced historical documentation across Nevada and the key factors behind the success of her project. We also delve into the new research her work has inspired, what she found most compelling about gathering personal histories through interviews, and how her students played a pivotal role in the project’s success. Dr. Palevsky Granados is undoubtedly one of the most influential women working to safeguard Nevada’s past. Don’t miss this compelling conversation on her life, legacy, and research!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Insight into Dr. Palevsky Granados’s role in preserving the history of Nevada.
• Her early life as the grandchild of immigrants from Eastern Europe.
• The impact of her mother and father’s work and her grandmother’s activism in Russia. 
• How her entrepreneurial work prepared her for success in research.
• Gathering data via oral history and the stories of local Nevadans. 
• The Nevada Desert Experience’s work and peace protests by religious folk. 
• An interview between peace activists Corbin Harney and Rosemary Lynch in 2005.
• How Dr. Palevsky Granados’s work has been used by historians and residents. 
• The role of test site workers in the building of the city of Las Vegas.
• Different perspectives on Nevada and Dr. Palevsky Granados’s insights on her native students. 
• Challenges of the subject matter and process she faced while doing her research.
• Interviews and experiences with miners. 
• Major stories that facilitated Dr. Palevsky Granados’s success in Nevada. 
• Why she attributes so much of her success to her students.
• One of the research endeavors that emerged from this project.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Dr. Mary Palevsky Granados

Dr. Mary Palevsky Granados UNLV Special Collections Portal

Dr. Mary Palevsky Granados Email

Dr. Mary Palevsky Granados on C-SPAN Networks
Nevada Test Site Oral History Project
'Cold War Technoscience in Nevada'
The Size of the Risk
Atomic Fragments: A Daughter’s Questions

'Daughter of Atomic Bomb Builders to Discuss Moral Issues Confronted by Manhattan Project Scientists'
Interview with Corbin Harney and Rosemary Lynch
Nevada Desert Experience

Claytee White
Su Kim Chung

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The U.S. government’s relationship with Indigenous peoples is long and fraught, and its impact is still deeply felt today. In this episode, we’re joined by Mary Gibson, founder and executive director of the Noowuh (Shoshone) Knowledge Center in Nevada, a Nevada-based nonprofit focused on cultural preservation. A Western Shoshone enrolled with the Te-Moak Tribe, Mary is also a librarian and archivist dedicated to preserving the Noowuh language, culture, and history. In our conversation, she shares her archival work documenting the stories of the Western Shoshone people, including standout collections like the papers of Mary and Carrie Dann, two elder land activists. We also explore the Ruby Valley Treaty, signed between the U.S. and some Western Shoshone, and how its legacy continues to shape today’s land disputes. As we wrap up, Mary reflects on what fuels her preservation efforts, the work that still needs to be done, and the community that has supported her along the way. Tune in for a rich conversation on Indigenous history, activism, and cultural memory in Nevada with Mary Gibson.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Mary’s Western Shoshone and Mexican heritage, her upbringing in Elko, and her family.
• Her thirst for knowledge and the steps she took to continue her education while raising kids.
• How she earned her Master of Science in Library and Information Science (MSLIS) degree.
• Her former professor, Dr Anastasia Weigel: How she inspired Mary to become an archivist.
• Details of the collections that Mary was able to acquire when she returned to Elko.
• Records from land activists: how they are being used in the fight against the US government.
• A breakdown of the Ruby Valley Treaty and its significance to the Western Shoshone people.
• How Nevada residents have benefited from Mary’s preservation work.
• Some of the collections at the Noowuh Knowledge Center, founded by Mary.
• Ways that Mary has been acknowledged for her work and the positive effects of this.
• Key challenges Mary has faced in preserving tribal material.
• Why she founded the Noowuh Knowledge Center: Connecting Western Shoshone with their heritage.
• Fundamental historical and cultural facts that Mary would like to impart to listeners.
• Preservation work that still needs to be done, including indigenous food and plant traditions.
• Acknowledging the friends, family, and mentors who have helped Mary on her journey.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Cultural Heritage preservation | Noowuh Knowledge Center

Mary Gibson

Mary Gibson on LinkedIn

Great Basin Research Watch

Great Basin Research Watch | Team
'Historic records document decades-long struggle for native lands by Western Shoshone Tribe '

‘The Dann Sisters: Searching for Reciprocity for the Western Shoshone’

Two Sisters’ Story Unforgotten | University of Nevada, Reno

Claytee White
Su Kim Chung

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Who ensures that women’s voices and contributions aren’t lost to history? In today’s episode of The Women Who Saved History, hosts Claytee White and Su Kim Chung speak with historian Joanne Goodwin, whose work has been crucial in documenting Nevada women’s history. As Professor Emerita of History and Director Emerita of the Women’s Research Institute of Nevada at UNLV, Joanne helped establish the Nevada Women’s Archive, launched the Las Vegas Women Oral History Project, and worked to preserve suffrage sites across the state. She shares how these efforts have helped ensure that women’s voices (especially those often left out of traditional narratives) are accessible to future generations. From her early interest in gender studies to her leadership in historical preservation, Joanne reflects on the challenges of capturing untold stories and the importance of making history available to researchers, students, and the public. Join us as we explore her journey, the impact of her work, and what it takes to keep history alive!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Joanne’s early life and how her parents encouraged her to pursue higher education.
• What shaped her interest in women’s history and how she came to teach at UNLV.
• Her efforts to represent diverse women from different backgrounds in her courses.
• Details of Joanne’s archival work and how Jean Ford helped bring in collections.
• The origins of The Women’s Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN).
• An overview of the Las Vegas Women Oral History Project and how it was expanded.
• Ways that Nevada residents have benefitted from Joanne’s preservation efforts.
• A breakdown of The Suffrage Trail by the National Collaborative for Women’s History Sites.
• How the Las Vegas Women Oral History Project partnered with PBS to create the Makers: Women in Nevada History Collection.
• Key challenges Joanne has faced during her career, from fundraising to communication.
• Surprising reflections and takeaways from Joanne’s journey.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Joanne Goodwin

Nevada Women’s Archive at UNLV

Women’s Research Institute of Nevada (WRIN)

WRIN Las Vegas Women Oral History Project

Changing the Game: Women at Work in Las Vegas 1940-1990

Women in Nevada History: A Legacy Digital Project
Makers: Women in Nevada History

National Collaborative for Women’s History Sites
National Votes for Women Trail
Claytee White
Su Kim Chung

Erica Vital-Lazare

Women of Diversity Productions Inc.
Nevada Humanities
The National Endowment for the Humanities

Caesars Entertainment

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In preserving Nevada state history, it’s essential that all groups are represented. Today, we are joined by Lynette Sawyer, cultural collector and founder of the Hispanic Museum of Nevada, an institution committed to driving awareness of diverse Hispanic cultures to foster greater intercultural understanding. In our conversation, we hear from Lynette about her upbringing in New York and how her parents exposed her to many cultural opportunities, including the myriad of museums along the Museum Mile. She shares the humble beginnings of the Hispanic Museum of Nevada, starting with a simple cabinet that she had fixed and how it’s grown and evolved over the years across various locations and partnerships. We discuss the museum’s impact on the community through its diverse range of programs and items and how it has helped raise awareness of different Latino cultures and indigenous languages. Lynette also shares some of the key challenges the museum has faced, like fundraising and navigating different cultural infrastructures, before reflecting on the current state of the museum and what to expect from its future. To hear all about the Hispanic Museum of Nevada and its unique cultural journey, tune in for this inspiring conversation with Lynette Sawyer!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Lynette’s upbringing in Manhattan, New York, and her early exposure to cultural opportunities.
• Moving to Nevada and how Lynette began and grew the Hispanic Museum of Nevada.
• Details of her first fundraiser, involving local casinos and cultural performances.
• An overview of the various locations of the Hispanic Museum of Nevada.
• The museum’s expansion and the involvement of different cultural groups and artists.
• Artifacts exhibited at the museum and the community’s support through donated items.
• The museum’s impact on the community, including programs for different age groups.
• Raising awareness of diverse Latino cultures and indigenous languages.
• Recognition Lynette received from organizations, including the Latin Chamber of Commerce.
• Challenges of managing the museum, such as raising funds.
• The museum's current status and revival plans via the city’s community plan.
• Lynette’s reflections on what she learned through her work with the museum.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Lynnette Sawyer
Hispanic Museum of Nevada
‘Six questions for Lynnette Sawyer’
Claytee White
Su Kim Chung

Erica Vital-Lazare

Women of Diversity Productions Inc.

Nevada Humanities
The National Endowment for the Humanities

Caesars Entertainment

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How do we pay honor to our histories and build alongside them instead of paving over them?  This episode is an in-depth conversation with the inimitable Director of Oral History at UNLV, Claytee D. White. Join us as she shares her early experiences of connecting with the Black community through oral history before entering into a career in this field. We discuss the migration to Las Vegas, addressing misconceptions about its demographics, and touch on what it means to find commonalities across communities. Acknowledging the abundance of stories from migrants and immigrants, we discuss the importance of preserving them, and Claytee shares some of the methods she uses to do so. Next, Claytee uncovers the story of Mary Nettles’, a Black female property owner who helped to start the NAACP in 1928. Listening in, you’ll also get a preview of the areas of interest that Claytee will focus on in her upcoming book. Thanks for listening!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Welcoming historian, author, and oral history expert Claytee D. White. 
• The story of her first experiences with oral history and the Black community.
• Discovering unwritten histories to continue their legacy.
• Clarifying the misconstrued notion that the migration to Las Vegas was limited to a single people group.
• Finding the commonalities between the journey of different people groups. 
• The abundance of stories showing that the United States was built on immigrant and migrant labor. 
• Modern stories of migration motivated by climate change. 
• Claytee’s vision for the future of the East, West,’ and North communities of Las Vegas. 
• Her work in digitizing history and archiving information.
• The opportunities that the city has afforded Claytee and the amazing connections she has made because of them. 
• How Claytee is using history to enforce the 100 Plan Idea that emerged from the community.
• The story of Legacy Park, which pays homage to those who helped to build the community since 1870.
• Mary Nettles; a property owner whose story has been preserved through oral history.
• A sneak preview into the content of her upcoming book. 

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Erica Vital-Lazare Researcher Profile
Erica Vital-Lazare on Literary Hub
Claytee D. White Researcher Profile
UNLV
Oral History Research Center
News from Special Collections & Archives
Women of Diversity Productions Inc.

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What does it take to preserve a vital yet painful chapter of history? In this episode, Claytee White and scholar Su Kim Chung interview Sherry Rupert, former Indian Affairs Director for Nevada and Executive Director of the Nevada Indian Commission. Sherry, now CEO of the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association (AIANTA), shares her remarkable journey as the driving force behind the restoration of the Stewart Indian School in Carson City, a site that once sought to erase Indigenous identities but now stands as a beacon of remembrance and education. From gathering alumni stories to creating innovative walking tours, Sherry recounts how she transformed the school into a vibrant cultural center that honors the resilience of Native peoples. She also discusses the challenges of funding, gaining community support, and sharing difficult histories authentically. Beyond her work at Stewart, Sherry reflects on her mission to amplify Indigenous voices through cultural tourism on a national scale. Discover how this important work connects past and present, and learn how you can engage with these stories. Tune in to hear Sherry’s inspiring perspective on preserving history to foster understanding and change.

Key Points From This Episode:

• An overview of Sherry Rupert’s career with Nevada’s state government.
• How she led the restoration of the historic Stewart Indian School in Nevada.
• Her partnership with Nevada state governors, including Brian Sandoval.
• Some background on Sherry, her early life, education, and her family.
• The inspiration behind her work for the Stewart Indian School.
• Unpacking the painful history of the school as a tool for assimilation.
• The walking tour featuring alumni stories that earned Sherry a Tourism Excellence Award.
• Ways to conduct research at the Stewart Indian School Cultural Center & Museum.
• Details of the archives, exhibits, and Native art curated by Indigenous artists at the center.
• Key preservation challenges, like securing funding and addressing painful historical truths.
• How they preserved and honored the full stories behind the school and its alumni.
• Reflections on the importance of sharing the stories of Indigenous peoples.
• How visitors can explore the school’s rich history through exhibits, tours, and workshops.
• Sherry’s current work serving as CEO of AIANTA, advocating for Indigenous cultural tourism.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Sherry L Rupert
AIANTA Team
NativeAmerica.travel
Stewart Indian School Cultural Center & Museum
Claytee D. White
Su Kim Chung

Women of Diversity Productions Inc.

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Imagine growing up in a town where your backyard view was the open desert and the iconic Las Vegas Strip was no more than a collection of scattered hotels, gas stations, and coffee shops. In this episode, Su Kim Chung speaks with filmmaker, historian, and author Lynn Zook about her mission to preserve the history of the Las Vegas she grew up in: a town built on the dreams and hard work of everyday people, not just the glitz and glamour of the casinos. From documenting over 130 interviews with locals, including performers, pioneers, and business owners, to creating the documentary, The Story of Classic Las Vegas, Lynn’s work captures the stories behind iconic landmarks like the Dunes and Caesars Palace and reveals what life was like before air conditioning and sprawling developments. “Everybody’s got a great story,” she says, highlighting how these narratives often challenge the mainstream versions of history. Tune in to discover how Lynn’s labor of love has left an indelible mark on Las Vegas’ cultural memory and why preserving history matters more than ever in our rapidly changing world!

Key Points From This Episode:

• Lynn’s upbringing in Las Vegas and her family’s connection to its early development.
• How the demolition of iconic landmarks motivated her to document local history.
• The evolution of the Classic Las Vegas project, capturing personal and historical narratives.
• Efforts to digitize interviews for preservation and public access at UNLV Special Collections.
• Names that stand out from the more than 130 interviews Lynn conducted.
• The value of creating a rich historical archive that future generations can access.
• Ways that Nevada residents have benefited from Lynn’s preservation efforts.
• Anecdotes that bring Las Vegas’ legacy and cultural memory to life.
• Challenges in garnering interest and financial support for historical projects like these.
• Lessons and advice for anyone who wants to follow in Lynn’s footsteps.
• The importance of supporting, preserving, and engaging with local history.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Classic Las Vegas

Gambling on a Dream

The Story of Classic Las Vegas: An Overview

Lynn Zook on LinkedIn

Lynn Zook on Facebook

Su Kim Chung

Women of Diversity Productions Inc.

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