Nevada

Archival Research and Special Collections in the Black West

Here are institutions and archival resources in Nevada where Africana history, culture, and archival research are documented and made available for scholars, students, genealogists, and the public:

African American Collection, The Library District, Las Vegas Clark County
African American Collections and Records, University of Nevada at Reno, Universities Libraries Special Collections
African American Pioneers of Nevada County, California
African American Special Collections and Archives Portal, University of Nevada, Las Vegas University Libraries
Empowered: Women of Clark County and southern Nevada—Archives and Digital Collections, Clark County
The HistoryMakers (Oral histories from Nevada)
Oral History Transcripts, Oral History Program at the University of Nevada and the University Archives
The Nevada Black History Project Records, University of Nevada at Reno, University Libraries Special Collections
Newspapers & Community Press as Archival Sources:
- Las Vegas Black Image Magazine
- Digitized Nevada Newspapers, Nevada State Library, Archives & Public Records

Tips for Archival Research

Start with online finding aids — many archives have searchable guides you can review before visiting.
Contact archivists ahead of time — they can help identify relevant collections and materials.
Explore digital collections first — some historical photos, oral histories, and exhibits may be available online.
Leverage community institutions — university archives and regional historical societies often collaborate with local historians.