Las Vegas Historical Preservation Efforts by the Junior League of Las Vegas

For many years, the Junior League of Las Vegas has aimed to build a more cohesive community by providing a “sense of place” and historical context for residents and visitors alike through many historical preservation and interpretive projects and through advocacy efforts aimed at historical preservation in the community.

Major Historic Restoration Projects
The League has successfully completed several major historical preservation restoration projects that exist to remind and educate the public about the community’s past including: the restoration of Spring Mountain Ranch House (1975) located at the Spring Mountain State Park; the relocation and restoration of the Beckley House (1979-80), now located at the Clark County Heritage Museum; and the relocation and restoration of the Morelli House (2001-2009), now located in the historical district in downtown Las Vegas. The League also began a major relocation and restoration of the historic Whitehead House (1999-2001) that was destroyed by a fire in 2001.

Historical Interpretive Programs and Projects
The Junior League of Las Vegas has also supported Las Vegas historical preservation and its awareness by establishing docent programming at several local museums and historical sites and by producing interpretive materials for school children and the general public. It established docent programs at the Marjorie Barrick Museum of Natural History at UNLV (1971) The Spring Mountain Ranch and Ranch House (1975); the Nevada State Museum in Las Vegas (1983); and the Morelli House (2007). Additionally, it produced interpretive materials about the history of Las Vegas including the first film production about Las Vegas history entitled “Crossroads of the West” (1976) that was distributed to all Clark County Elementary and Junior High Schools and public libraries; “Time Travelers” history educational kits distributed to Clark County Schools (1980); sponsorship of the Inaugural Exhibit at the Clark County Heritage Museum (1986); sponsorship of the publication “Springs in the Desert” (2006) a book especially written for elementary students; a video production of “Morelli and His Music” (2009) that was aired on PBS; an informational booklet about the Morelli House and the mid century period of Las Vegas history (2008); and an official website about the Morelli House and its mid century historical context.(2010).

Historic Preservation Advocacy
In 1983 the League adopted an official advocacy position statement regarding historical preservation in the community. It joined forces with other concerned community groups to advocate for the preservation of several historical sites including: The Mormon Fort (1976); Reed Whipple Center (1978); Las Vegas High School (1986); and the Ice House (1987).