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Reframing the Narrative: The Evolving Nature of Language in Preservation Planning
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Continuing Education Units: AIA - 1.5 LUs | APA - 1.5 CEs*
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Thursday, June 5
12:00pm - 1:30pm Pacific
$0-5 Members | $20 Non-Members
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As preservation professionals work to interpret diverse histories and experiences, the language we use plays a critical role in shaping narratives and promoting inclusion. This session will explore the development and use of an Inclusive Language Guide as a tool to support equity-centered approaches in preservation planning. Through a combination of presentation and discussion, participants will explore the guide’s development, key principles, and lessons learned, along with examples of how it has been applied in real-world projects.
The program aims to spark thoughtful dialogue, encourage self-reflection, and offer practical strategies for incorporating inclusive language into preservation work. By creating a respectful and open space for learning, the session invites participants to engage with curiosity and consideration.
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Preservation in Print: Preventive Conservation for Public Art
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Tuesday, June 15
12:00pm - 1:00pm Pacific
FREE
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Join the California Preservation Foundation for Preservation in Print, a free lunchtime series for anyone interested in historic preservation, architecture, planning, history, and related fields. Each one-hour session features a conversation with the author or a key contributor of a recent preservation-related title. There’s no need to read the book in advance—whether you’ve read every page, browsed the photos, or are simply curious, you’re invited to join.
This month, we will highlight Preventive Conservation for Public Art by Katharine Untch, a passionate and highly respected conservator with over 30 years of experience in preserving cultural heritage. This insightful guide is invaluable for anyone in the public art arena: artists, fabricators, public arts policymakers, commissioners and committee members, managers, developers, architects, landscape architects, engineers, contractors, maintenance providers, heritage preservationists, and conservators.
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My Path to Preservation: Insights from a Landscape Architect
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Tuesday, July 15
12:00pm - 1:00pm Pacific
FREE
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Join the California Preservation Foundation for our My Path to Preservation series, a webinar program with the goal of sharing insights with students, interns, graduates, emerging professionals, and anyone interested in a career in preservation, to learn about the variety of pathways and opportunities available.
This month we will be joined by Laurie Matthews, FASLA, Director of Preservation Planning + Design at MIG and adjunct professor at the University of Oregon. A nationally recognized expert on cultural landscapes, Laurie has led preservation efforts at iconic sites like Yosemite, Point Reyes, and Crater Lake. She believes landscape preservation means managing—not stopping—change, and brings a deep appreciation for the layered stories landscapes reveal.
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Bootcamp: Understanding and Managing Cultural Landscapes
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Thursday, July 17th and July 24th
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Join us for a two-part bootcamp exploring the fundamentals and complexities of cultural landscapes. In part one, practitioners will cover core terminology, methodology, treatment strategies, and documentation techniques used to study and evaluate landscapes. Part two offers a deeper dive into assessing landscape integrity, planning for change, and understanding the relationship between built features and their broader environmental and cultural contexts.
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Keep and eye our for more details and a registration link.
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Learning California History Through Landmarks
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Thursday, July 31
12:00pm - 1:00pm Pacific
FREE
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Join CPF as we host LA history blogger Etan Rosenbloom (EtanDoesLA.com) for an exploration of California history through its historic landmarks. Etan is on a mission to visit all 600+ Los Angeles County sites on the National Register of Historic Places, and his journey has taken him from beachsides to mountaintops, architectural masterpieces to Native American rock art, speakeasies to Spanish missions.
In this program, Etan will share some of his favorite historic spots in LA, with a special emphasis on places intertwined with the broader history of California. He’ll also discuss the challenges of approaching history through the lens of physical places—and why landmarks are such powerful tools for understanding the past and how communities continue to evolve.
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DONATE
Every donation is meaningful. Your generosity enables CPF to do incredible work with a small staff and hundreds of dedicated volunteers. Your support makes this possible!
MAKE A DONATION
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We thank our annual sponsors, who support our education programs throughout the year, including our Education Sponsor, Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc.
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Thank you to everyone who helped make our 10th Home + History Las Vegas festival a success! From walking tours to synchronized swimmers, it was a celebration to remember. As we continue our mission to preserve Nevada’s unique past, we’re also looking ahead. Don’t miss the return of Cocktails & True Tales in June or our upcoming Coffee + Cruising bike tour with RTC. Plus, we’re thrilled to welcome Amy Raymer as NPF’s new Board President!
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PRESERVATION SPOTLIGHT
Endangered Icon: The Pink Elephant of Las Vegas
 The iconic pink elephant of Las Vegas, a beloved roadside figure for over 60 years, is now for sale—its future uncertain. Originally part of the Bagdad Inn in the early 1960s and later relocated to the Desert Isle Motel—eventually renamed the Diamond Inn—the 13.5-foot-tall elephant has stood as a whimsical symbol of mid-century Las Vegas for over 60 years. Tied to the legacy of motel owners Arby and Ruth Alper, the elephant is rumored to have originated from a Walt Disney project before becoming a lasting fixture on the Strip.
Though once celebrated in advertisements and local architectural tours, the Diamond Inn was closed in 2023 for code violations and is now posted for sale. The fenced-off site, including the elephant, faces an uncertain future. As one of the last reminders of Las Vegas’ postwar roadside culture, the pink elephant represents a fading piece of architectural whimsy. Preservationists urge public awareness as this unique piece of Las Vegas history awaits its fate.
For more on the Pink Elephant’s history—and a personal perspective from someone who grew up with it—read the full article by Kassidy Whetstone, M.A., Curator of Library, Manuscripts, and Photographs at the Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas.
Photo: Library of Congress
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NPF'S LEGACY: PAST PROJECTS
Thank You for Celebrating 10 Years of Home + History Las Vegas!
We want to extend a huge thank you to everyone who joined us for our 10th annual Home + History Las Vegas festival, held May 1–4! From the bottom of our hearts, we are so grateful to everyone who showed up, shared stories, and celebrated Las Vegas history with us.
This year’s festival was full of unforgettable moments—from spontaneous neighbor
greetings during our McNeil walking tour to laughs on the Historic Henderson Bus Tour (thanks to the Historic Henderson Society!). People got to attend great educational programs like Tina’s fun and informative “Fakeitecture” talk, a trivia quiz with vintage menus awarded as prizes.
Evenings were equally magical. Our Lei’d in Las Vegas luau featured live music by The Hypnotiques, a surprise MidModMakers sign unveiling, and synchronized swimmers! Alan Hess packed the house Saturday night at the Fremont Hotel with a dynamic keynote on mid-century design. And Sunday’s Vintage Vegas Home Tour wrapped the weekend in style, with The Mesquite Club hosting a refreshing stop during the tour.
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UPCOMING PROGRAMMING
Cocktails & True Tales: An Oral History Happy Hour
Friday, June 27, 2025 at 5PM $20. TICKETS ON SALE SOON
Back by popular demand, Cocktails & True Tales returns—NPF’s lively storytelling series where we shake up Las Vegas history with firsthand memories and a splash of fun!
In June, we’re diving into what it was like Growing Up in Las Vegas. Your ticket includes one complimentary drink, and Happy Hour food and cocktails will be available for purchase. We’ll end the night with an open mic—so bring your best Vegas memory to share—then stick around for cocktails, conversation, and community. Don’t miss this spirited evening of local legends and real-life tales!
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MEET TEAM NPF
Meet Nevada Preservation Foundation’s New Board President: Amy Raymer!
We’re thrilled to introduce Amy Raymer as the new President of the Nevada Preservation Foundation Board!
A recent retiree from the Clark County School District administration, Amy has been one of NPF’s most dedicated volunteers since 2017. She joined our Board in 2020, previously served as Vice President, and continues to lead as our Programming Chair. But that’s not all—Amy also serves on the board of directors for Preserve Nevada, bringing her passion for preservation to multiple corners of the state.
As a self-described “history geek,” Amy enjoys researching, developing, and facilitating opportunities for others to engage with Nevada’s rich history which she put to good use as a volunteer tour guide for the Neon Museum from 2010-2018. Amy currently lives in the historic John S. Park neighborhood in a 1954 ranch home that she has restored to the period it was built, including purchasing and installing a full 1955 Youngstown kitchen, complete with fully working 1950 Frigidaire refrigerator and 1962 Flair stove featured on the Home + History 2022 Vintage Vegas Home Tour. Recently Amy purchased a 1961 Palmer and Krisel model 2 home in Paradise Palms and has used era-specific materials in bringing the home back to its original mid-century aesthetic.
Originally from Illinois, Amy is almost considered a local after recently reaching her 26th year of Las Vegas residency. She is also a proud UNLV Rebel, holding a Master of Education in Curriculum and Instruction and Master of Arts in Urban Leadership degrees from the university.
To hear more about Amy and her incredible work in historic preservation and with the Nevada Preservation Foundation, tune in here.
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A LOOK AHEAD
Coffee + Cruising: Bike Tour of Lawyer’s Row & Lost Motels
Get ready to ride through history! We’re teaming up with RTC for a one-of-a-kind bike tour that explores the hidden stories of Fremont Street’s historic motels and the iconic Lawyer’s Row.
Pedal through the past as we uncover how these forgotten landmarks helped shape Las Vegas into the entertainment capital of the world. We’ll wrap up the ride with a well-earned coffee stop at a beloved local café.
Whether you’re a history buff or just love a good ride with great stories—this tour is for you! Stay tuned—more details coming soon!
Get the full Preservation Pulse newsletter here.
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Thank you for supporting historic preservation in Nevada. Our programming is one of the ways we support our historic preservation efforts.
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