Beyond the Mint: Mid-Century Modern Architecture of Walter Zick

You've waited patiently and we appreciate that.  Here is the latest information on our October 3rd event highlighting the work of local architect Walter Zick with a focus on his mid-century modern homes and commercial buildings.

If you went to school at Hyde Park Jr. High, John C. Fremont, Western, Valley or Clark, if you banked at the Bank of Las Vegas/Valley Bank or bank today at the Bank of America on West Charleston and Decatur, you've been in a Walter Zick designed building. 

If you spent time at Southern Nevada Memorial Hospital (today UMC) in the 1960s, the Flora Dungan Humanities Building at UNLV or the old Safeway and W.T. Grants on the corner of Maryland Parkway and E. Charleston, you've been in Walter Zick designed buildings.

If you love the Mint and it's beautiful pink and white neon sign, you know Walter Zick.

Walter Zick, along with his partner Harris Sharp, changed the look of post-war Las Vegas. From schools to banks to residential homes, Walter Zick and Harris Sharp put their stamp on Las Vegas.  They designed buildings for the Test Site, for housing projects, for government buildings.  They also designed hotels like the Moulin Rouge, the Mint and the Union Plaza.  They worked on early remodels of the El Rancho Vegas and the Flamingo.

Much of that architecture is still standing.

We have planned a day of exploring the talent of Walter Zick and we invite you to join us.

Saturday, October 3rd.

Nevada State Museum

700 Twin Lakes Drive in Lorenzi Park

11:30 am  Reception

12:00 pm 

Panel Discussion featuring noted Mid-Century Modern historian and author (and big fan of the Mint Hotel), Alan Hess; architect Eric Strain of Assemblage Studios and Walter Zick's daughters, Karen Zick Goff and Claire Zick Walker. 

Admission price for the Panel Discussion is $3, reservations for the Panel Discussion are NOT necessary.

Immediately following the Panel Discussion, there will be an afternoon bus tour around Las Vegas pointing out some of the still standing architecture of Walter Zick.  There will be four stops on the tour.  The fifth and final stop will be at the Morelli House, while not designed by Zick, is a beautiful example of mid-century modern architecture.  The Junior League has graciously offered to host tours of the house for tour participants.

RSVP's are MANDATORY for the bus tour due to limited seating.  Leave your name and phone number on the voicemail.  Both are important as we will be calling a few days before to confirm all the reservations.  Admission price is $5. 

You must call 702-486-5205 x 121 to RSVP.  Leave your name and a working phone number.

1:30 pm  Bus Loading

2:00 - 6:00  Bus Tour

The bus will return to the Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas by 6:30 pm.

Once we have reached the seating capacity of the bus, we will have a will-call list as well.  We recommend calling as soon as possible to insure that you get a seat on the bus.

This should be a wonderful day of history, fun and a  chance to learn about buildings that you have loved for years.

This event is made possible by the generous support of:

Nevada Humanities, the Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas; the Friends of Classic Las Vegas, VeryVintageVegas.com; the Junior League of Las Vegas, the Atomic Age Alliance and Brian "Paco" Alvarez.

Southern Nevada Memorial Hospital, image courtesy of Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas

Flora Dungan Humanities Building, UNLV, photo courtesy of Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas

How Modern Was My Valley

We are hoping by Friday to be able to post the RSVP phone number for the upcoming Walter Zick Event on Saturday, Oct. 3rd.

As previously noted, that morning beginning at 11:30 am there will be a reception/panel discussion at the Nevada State Museum in Lorenzi Park. 

The Panel Discussion featuring mid-century modern historian and author, Alan Hess; architect Eric Strain and Walter Zick's daughers, Karen and Claire will begin at 12:00 pm.  Admission is $3 and RSVP for that portion of the program is not necessary.

Immediately following the panel discussion will be a bus tour that will feature some of Walter Zick's still standing architecture.  Everything from residential to commercial to community to casino designs will be highlighted.

Seating for the bus tour is limited and RSVP's will be mandatory.  Admission for the bus tour is $5.  The final stop on the tour will be at the Morelli House and tours of the house will be given.  Though Walter Zick did not design the Morelli House, it is a splendid example of the mid-century modern architecture of the era.  We thank the Junior League for opening the house for us.

In the meantime, here are some mid-century modern buildings that you may remember. 

PLEASE NOTE:  These photos belong to the Nevada State Museum and we are fortunate that they are allowing us to post them here.  Any other postings of these pictures on other websites is not allowed unless you have the written permission of the State Museum, Las Vegas.

Cinerama Dome just off Paradise Road

Convention Center and Rotunda just north of the Cinerama Dome

McCarran Airport, 1960s

Sears at the Boulevard Mall

Vegas Village near Commercial Center

Did You Miss a Great Evening of History?

If you weren't at "Untold Stories" last night, you did!

Last night's panel was terrific.  Dr. Liz Warren gave us an overview of  early mining in Southern Nevada that stretched back to the Anasazi.  Donn Blake walked us through a typical day in the life of a hard rock miner, the difference between a miner and a prospector and even brought his prospecting bag filled with tools and essentials and explained why you needed such things.  Tony Werly gave us the history of the famed Techaticcup Mine and how he and his wife, Bobbi, bought the mine and discovered the opening of the old tunnel that had been buried for over 100 years.

We also heard about deserters from the Army, murders, massacres, Mouse, Queho and a brief railroad history.

"Untold Stories" is the only series that every month (except January) brings you in contact with the living history of Southern Nevada.  Each month we focus on a different historic topic and have a panel that includes historians as well as the men and women who witnessed history first hand.

Next month on October 1st, we will be looking at the famed Moulin Rouge hotel, the first integrated hotel and casino in Las Vegas.

On November 5th, we will be talking about Howard Hughes in Las Vegas and focusing on his time here before he came here in 1966 and went on a buying spree.

And in December, we will have a fun night talking about the Las Vegas You Don't Know.

It's the first Thursday of each month at the Las Vegas Springs Preserve.  We bring history to life in relaxed atmosphere of fun and learning.

Beginning next month, the price for tickets for "Untold Stories" will be lowered to $9 for non-members and $7 for Springs members.  So for less than $10 you get history, memories and invaluable information that you can't find anywhere else.  Save money by buying a three month pass!

So, what are you waiting for?  Come join us!  You'll have fun and you'll learn first hand about the 20th Century History of Southern Nevada!

http://www.springspreserve.org/html/visit_events_labordaysale.html

and click on Events Calendar.

If you missed me on KNPR with John L. Smith yesterday morning, you can listen to the interview here:

http://knpr.org/son/archive/detail.cfm?ProgramID=1710

scroll down to Postcard History and click on Listen or download the MP3.

Let me know what you think!

My KNPR Interview with John L Smith

I'm going to be on K-NPR tomorrow morning (Thursday) at 10:00 am with John L. Smith as part of the "State of Nevada" series. 

I'll be talking about Las Vegas history with John L. as well as the inspiration behind my work (special shout-out to my hubby, Jon), growing up in Las Vegas as well as "Untold Stories" at the Springs Preserve, our upcoming "Beyond the Mint: The Mid-Century Modern Architecture of Walter Zick" program and finally, the book, "Las Vegas: 1905- 1965" so tune in as John L Smith and talk about things near and dear to our hearts!