Untold Stories and the Future

Thursday evening was the final "Untold Stories" at the Springs Preserve.  We had a great panel of Las Vegas High School alumni that enjoyed talking to about their high school days.  The audience was terrific, with many alum attending as well.

Due to budget cutbacks at the Springs, they are refocusing their educational programming and one of the programs impacted was "Untold Stories".

I am forever grateful for the 2.5 years that they supported the program.  It was the only monthly series that allowed long-time residents to share their stories and memories of a younger and smaller Las Vegas with residents.

We covered a number of historic topics from "The History of Fremont Street", "The History of the Strip", "A Look Back at the MGM Grand Fire", "St. Thomas" and more.

I want to thank all the people who participated on the panels over the last 30 months.  We covered a lot of different historic topics and I am grateful to all who came out to share their history.  I also want to thank the class members as well.  Each month it was a joy to look out from the podium to see familiar faces and know that there are people who really are interested in learning more about this place we call home.  Finally, I want to thank Dr. Michael Green for always being available, often on short notice, to be the historian for the evening.

As they say, when one door closes another opens and that is what happened here.  Within days of learning that "Untold Stories" was ending this month, I was offered the job opportunity of a life time.  Unfortunately, it will take me away from Las Vegas. 

However, we will continue to archive the 130 video oral histories that we have collected over the years and hope to have that monumental task completed by this time next year.  Late last year, with the help of a grant from the Historic Preservation Commission, we delivered the first 25 archived interviews on DVD to the Nevada State Museum and to Special Collections.  We are currently working on the next set.  So our work does continue though I won't be a monthly presence the way I have been for the last five years.

The Friends of Classic Las Vegas will have a meeting next month (details to TBA, so stay tuned) and will continue to be a vital voice in historic preservation.  I won't be able to do as much of the organizing as I once did but I will still be involved and look forward to advising the group.

This blog and site will continue on as well.  I will still be writing here and a few people have offered to contribute historic and cultural pieces as well.  So, if you are a regular reader, fear not, Classic Las Vegas is not going anywhere.  We will still be here and the power of the internet will make it possible to stay connected to you.

As for me, I begin a new adventure later this month as the Digital Archivist for the Walt Disney Family Museum in the Presidio in San Francisco.  It is a world class museum and I am excited about this opportunity.

In the meantime, historic preservation in Las Vegas still needs all the support it can get so I do hope you will stay with us and continue to learn more about the 20th Century history of Las Vegas right here.

The Walter Zick/Mid-Century Modern Event

Moderator Lynn Zook (far left), Karen Zick Goff, Claire Zick Walker and Alan Hess

We had a terrific time on Saturday, October 3rd shining the spotlight on Walter Zick and his partner Harris Sharp at our all day event.

The Docents and Volunteers for the Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas prepared a wonderful spread of light finger food, punch and champagne.  The anticipated overflow crowd made us move into the History Gallery for the panel.  Wise move, because we had almost 100 people in attendance.

Alan Hess talked about what Mid-Century Modern architecture, what it is and why it is important.  He also talked about "cultural amnesia".  Our past reminds us of who we are, what ideals mattered to us and also shows us how far (or not) we have come.  Mid-Century Modern Architecture, perhaps more than others forms of architecture, caught the zeitgeist of post-war America.  We were a brash, optimistic country, filled with big dreams and big plans.  MCM architecture was filled with much of that same brashness and optimism.  Throw in the space race and there seemed no limit to what we could achieve.

"Cultural amnesia" is what we commit, according to Alan, when we tear down our buildings, signage and neighborhoods only because they are old.  We lose those links to our past and we don't easily, if at all, get them back.

Alan then spoke at length about the Mint Hotel and why the design of that building and signage still tugs at our memories after all these years.

Walter Zick's daughters, Karen and Claire talked about how their dad had come to Las Vegas in the mid-1940s to work on the Flamingo Hotel.

They talked about growing up in the  Twin Lakes (today, Lorenzi Park) neighborhood where the NSM is located today.  The first home that their father designed and built for his family is less than a mile west of the Museum on Skolgund Circle.  The house included a 50 foot pool that became a homing beacon for pilots flying into Nellis Air Force Base.

Then it was time to get on the bus! and begin our tour of Walter Zick's Mid-Century Modern Las Vegas!

Our first stop was at the Bank of America on West Charleston.  It was originally a Bank of Las Vegas, then became a Valley Bank (where my family banked) and is today still in remarkable shape.  A drop ceiling, an upstairs addition and the loss of some original windows are the only changes apparent to the interior.

Sara Snodgrass, president of the AIA-S and keeper of our route and schedule and I proclaim proudly for the National Trust for Historic Preservation that "This Place Matters"

Back on the bus and across town we rode to UNLV, passing a number of Zick and Sharp commercial buildings as well as Irwin Molasky's former headquarters and James Brook McDaniel's famous flash cubes!

We rolled onto Maude Frazier Way to see the wonderful Zick and Sharp designed Flora Dungan Humanities Building.  It is our understanding that this early 1960s centerpiece of the campus for years is endangered.

Alan Hess points out important features inside Humanities.

FCLV members Joel Rosales and Judy Bundorf declare "This Place Matters" for the National Trust of Historic Preservation.

Back on the bus, to the east side of town to see the first pod school that Zick and Sharp designed, Valley High School.  Then it was on to a neighborhood filled with Mid-Century Modern gems as well as the weeping mortar/squish brick home that Zick and Sharp built for Mayme Stocker back in the mid-1940s.

Karen and Claire Zick declare "This Place Matters" for the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

While MaryJOY! Alderman conducted tours of her unique house, Jack LeVine, Friends of Classic Las Vegas supporter and the man behind VeryVintageVegas.com, led those who had taken the house tour down nearby Maria Elena Drive and showed them some stunning homes:

 

Then it was back on the bus and headed downtown to see the Foley Federal Building, the old Clark County Courthouse and the former Nevada Savings and Loan headquarters before our final stop at the Morelli House.  Though Zick and Sharp didn't design the Morelli House, the Junior League of Las Vegas was kind enough to open the house, provide tours and perhaps, most importantly, refreshments!

Dedee Nave and Junior League president, Judy Beale proclaim "This Place Matters" for the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

As it was getting towards twilight, we headed back to the Museum.

We passed by the Neon Museum and saw the three restored signs in the Cultural Corridor!

We arrived safely back and everyone declared it was a great day.  We hope to be able to do another event centered around Mid-Century Modern architecture next year. 

Alan Hess and I had so many people come up to us and thank us for showing them a side of Las Vegas that they were unaware of, for showing them what Mid-Century Modern architecture is and why it is important.  

Karen and Claire were thrilled to have the spotlight shown on their father for a day and were so happy to see the response to their dad's still standing legacy. 

Remember, all these places and more MATTER!  You can help us to preserve these buildings  by becoming a member of the Friends of Classic Las Vegas and a reader of VeryVintageVegas.com

Downtown Steve captures the spirit of the day!

Thank you one last time to everyone who came out for this event, from the reception/panel to those who got on the bus to

Barbara Slivac; the Docents and Volunteers of the NSM, the staff of the NSM, especially Dennis McBride and Tom Dyer;

Karen and Claire Zick;  Alan Hess;

the Friends of Classic Las Vegas; VeryVintageVegas.com; Atomic Age Alliance; the Junior League of Las Vegas;

Brian "Paco" Alvarez; Pam Hartley; Zane and Jenny Donaldson, MaryJOY! Alderman and Susan Dean.   A special shout-out to the staff of Dona Maria's Downtown for taking such good care of us at the after-event dinner that night.

And lastly, a special thanks to Michael Rosetti and the Double Decker Bus Company!

Let's do it again next year!

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

Beyond the Mint: Walter Zick and Mid-Century Las Vegas

If all Walter Zick and partner Harris Sharpe ever designed was the Mint Hotel and it's beautiful neon sign that would be enough.

But Walter Zick designed much more than just the most beloved, lost neon sign of Las Vegas.  He designed a variety of commercial buildings, mainly banks, schools and residential homes.

A lot of his architecture is still standing which is really amazing considering the reputation Las Vegas has with preserving history.

As noted here earlier this year, we became much more aware of Walter Zick's architectural contribution to the Las Vegas Valley when we got a disc from Jack LeVine over at VeryVintageVegas that had been put together by Zick's daughters in hopes of having a school in the Valley named after their father.

While the School District turned down the daughters, we came up with an idea and working with the Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas and Nevada Humanities, we received a grant to do a program centered around Walter Zick and his mid-century architecture.

On October 3rd we will have a panel discussion at the State Museum on the work of Walter Zick.  Confirmed panelists include our favorite mid-century author and historian, Alan Hess, Assemblage Studios' architect, Eric Strain, Karen Zick Goff and her sister, Claire and neon designer, Brian "Buzz" Leming.

Following the discussion, there will be an afternoon bus tour of some of Zick's still-standing architecture.  The final stop on the tour will be the Morelli House.  Though Zick did not design the Morelli House, it's mid-century architecture makes it a perfect place to have a small reception before returning to the State Museum.

We are currently working out the bus route, which we hope will include a few stops so that we can see the interiors of some of the buildings.  Once we have all the details worked out, we will post them here.

Seating for the bus tour is limited and reservations will be necessary.  Once we have the reservation number working, we will post that as well.

So, subscribe to this blog because you are not going to want to miss this.  If you ever wondered what happened to mid-century modern Las Vegas or how it came to be, this is the program for you.  If, like me, you've always appreciated how modern our Valley truly was, you won't want to miss this program.

It's going to be historic, fact-filled and lots of fun.

So, stay tuned.

This program made possible by Nevada Humanities and the Nevada State Museum and the generous donations of VeryVintageVegas, the Friends of Classic Las Vegas, Brian "Paco" Alvarez and the Junior League of Las Vegas.