Las Vegas is regularly knocked for ignoring its history.
But tell that to the Las Vegas News Bureau.
It’s said to be the largest archive of media about Southern Nevada.
With more than 7 million photos and thousands of other media items, it tells the story of Las Vegas, from its largest events to its biggest performers.
This year the bureau turns 75, and the celebration begins with an online gallery featuring 75 of its most used images.
Lori Nelson-Kraft is the senior vice president of communications for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, which manages the News Bureau and uses its items to promote Las Vegas.
"This is pretty special and unique," she said. "And by unique I mean, we even have a full-time archivist on staff who manages and preserves the collection. It's not just a matter of having the imagery. It's the protector of the data, the storytelling, the images. We have yet to find any organization like ours, who celebrates the history the way we do."
LVCVA holds other collections, too, including the Riviera's. She said they're in talks with a "major former casino owner" who is looking for a home for their historical collection.
More online galleries are planned every few weeks to celebrate. In the meantime, Nelson-Kraft said they're working on some other in-person events for the summer.
Lori Nelson-Kraft, senior vice president of communications, Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority
