Las Vegas’ Historic Westside explored in Feb. 19 panel at museum

LAS VEGAS — The past, present, and future of Las Vegas’ Historic Westside will be explored in a panel discussion at 2 p.m. Feb. 19 at the Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas.

“The Social Side of Historic Westside” will delve into the past of Westside, and how the community campaigned for desegregation, racial equality, and the end of systemic racism through social, civic, and spiritual organizations. They will also discuss the current redevelopment and investment in the area and the vision for its future. All four panelists grew up in Las Vegas and are advocates for the development of, and investment in, Westside.

Las Vegas Councilman Cedric Crear is the Nevada League of Cities and Municipalities Executive Board president. He previously served on the Nevada System of Higher Education Board of Regents and the Las Vegas Planning Commission.
Community activist Ida M. Gaines is a longtime resident of Westside and was an active NAACP Board member, one of the founders of Gamma Phi Delta, and worked with Harry Reid for several decades.
Commissioner William McCurdy for District D, first African American and youngest chair of the Nevada State Democratic Party.
Eva Simmons is a retired educator and former area superintendent in the Clark County School District. She also is one of the co-founders of La Femme Douze (The Ladies Twelve), a group formed in 1964 to promote self-esteem and cultural awareness in young women, among other goals.

The discussion will be moderated by Claytee White, director of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Oral History Research Center. Carmen Beals, associate curator and outreach director of the Nevada Museum of Art, will introduce the panelists.

The event will take place from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Feb. 19 in the Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas, events room. The museum is on the Springs Preserve campus. This event is free with admission. Tickets must be purchased in advance from SpringsPreserve.org. Visit LasVegasNVMuseum.org for more information, museum location, hours and admissions information.

The Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas, inspires and educates a diverse public about the history and natural history of Nevada. The museum collects, preserves, exhibits, and disseminates material that contributes to an understanding and appreciation of the state. It is one of seven state museums that make up the Nevada Division of Museums and History.