Oral History Project
Many stories about our signs are known only to the people who were there. Eyewitness accounts offer unique context and insight unavailable from any other source. It is critical to record these recollections before they are lost. The Neon Museum Oral History Project preserves and makes available to the public personal narratives that increase our understanding of the Museum’s collection and the history of Las Vegas.
WALKS & TALKS
The Museum has taken a fresh approach to the concept of Oral Histories by using the Museum’s collection as inspiration for interviews. Traditional Oral Histories have the subject in a chair recounting facts from their personal and professional life. Walk & Talks allow intimate conversation with key Las Vegas figures using the Neon Boneyard as the spark for memories, personal stories, and experiences like no other.
Katy Perry
Entertainer and singer, Katy Perry had her Las Vegas residency at Resorts World starting in 2021.
Anna Bailey
Anna Bailey was a dancer and businesswoman. She was the first Black woman to perform in an integrated chorus line on the Strip.
R.A.C.H.E.L STORIES
R.A.C.H.E.L. (Record And Collect Historical Experiences in Las Vegas) is a new audio-visual storytelling tool that allows users to record their Las Vegas story for The Neon Museum’s historical archives. The Museum’s Collection and Archives Team is currently chronicling the content for possible inclusion in future historical projects. R.A.C.H.E.L. was at numerous Super Bowl LVIII parties, final days at the Tropicana, and currently lives at The Neon Museum.
Ana Velasquez
Tropicana employee expresses her feelings before the property’s closure.
John's story
The Neon Museum’s visitor, John, shares their Las Vegas story
AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST
These interviews are available to researchers by contacting The Neon Museum’s Collections department at collections@neonmuseum.org
ORAL HISTORY PROJECT SPONSORS
