As we close out the year, I am inspired by the incredible preservation work happening across Nevada, from grassroots revitalization projects like Boulder City’s Flamingo Inn to the community partnerships shaping our own programs at NPF. These efforts remind us why preservation matters: it strengthens community identity, supports adaptive reuse, and ensures our shared history remains visible and valued. As we look ahead to our 11th year of Home + History Las Vegas, I am grateful for our volunteers, members, and partners who make this work possible. Thank you for championing Nevada’s stories. Here’s to an exciting year ahead for preservation.

PRESERVATION SPOTLIGHT: Revitalizing Boulder City’s Flamingo Inn

This month’s preservation spotlight comes from Fox 5 KVVU-TV, which recently featured another powerful example of adaptive reuse and the growing movement to rethink redevelopment in Southern Nevada. In Boulder City, local residents Branden and Brynn are breathing new life into the long-abandoned Flamingo Inn, a 1949 motel that had stood vacant since 2012. Instead of demolition, the couple is transforming the property into a multipurpose space that preserves its historic character while supporting community needs. The former motel office will become a restaurant with an espresso bar by day and a cocktail bar by night, while the original rooms will be converted into affordable offices for small businesses and local artists.

Both owners live in Boulder City’s historic district and are committed to preserving the town’s architectural identity. Their efforts show how preservation, creativity, and community investment can work together to support a more thoughtful and sustainable future. The Flamingo Inn project also reflects a broader movement toward community-led reinvestment, demonstrating how adaptive reuse can strengthen local economies while protecting Nevada’s historic character.

To read more and follow the project check out Fox 5’s full coverage.

UPCOMING PROGRAMMING:

Atomic Ranch on the Road: Viva Mod Vegas, January 24 + 25

Celebrate the vibrant mid-century legacy of Las Vegas with a special weekend of events presented in partnership with the Atomic Ranch Magazine. The festivities begin on Saturday with Peddlin’ Through Paradise, a guided bike tour through Paradise Palms—Las Vegas’s signature Mid-Century Modern enclave designed by architects such as Palmer & Krisel, Hugh Taylor, and William Bray. Participants will explore iconic streetscapes, learn how the neighborhood earned historic designation, and enjoy exclusive access to select backyards overlooking the famed Las Vegas National Golf Course.

 Saturday evening brings the Ring-A-Ding Ball, a Black & White Winter Soiree featuring live music, vintage cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and a fireside chat on Las Vegas’s mid-mod heritage with Atomic Ranch and NPF experts.

 The weekend concludes Sunday with the Vintage Vegas Home Tour: Atomic Ranch Edition, offering rare access to historic homes, expert talks, and enhanced VIP experiences. A weekend bundle with exclusive perks is also available.

Tickets at https://www.atomic-ranch.com/event/mod-vegas/

HERITAGE HIGHLIGHTS: NPF’s PAST PROJECTS & RESEARCH

As we prepare to launch Home + History Las Vegas, returning April 16–19, 2026, we celebrate our 11th year of bringing Nevada’s stories to life while looking ahead to an exciting new future. This milestone offers a meaningful moment to reflect on the research, community partnerships, and preservation work that continue to shape NPF’s mission. Through neighborhood surveys, architectural research, advocacy efforts, and public programs, NPF has documented Southern Nevada’s unique historic landscape and creates opportunities for residents and visitors to connect with the past in memorable ways.

Educational tours remain central to this work. They transform history into lived experience, inviting people to step inside significant places, deepen their appreciation for older buildings, and build a shared commitment to preservation.

This year’s festival welcomes back several beloved programs. Of Scotsmen + Mayors returns to uncover the colorful political history that shaped early Las Vegas. Our  Vintage Vegas Home Tour again highlights remarkable homes across multiple eras, from original mid-century treasures to beautifully restored residences. We are also thrilled to revive the Historic Henderson Bus Tour, which offers rare interior access to the BMI plant through our partnership with the Henderson Historical Society.

Our Coffee & Cruising Bike Tour: Lost Motels and Lawyer’s Row offers a fun way to explore downtown Las Vegas’s evolution, from its 1930s–40s residential roots to its 1950s–60s transformation into a tourism-driven city shaped by motels, neon, and entertainment.

These programs, along with more events to be announced, highlight NPF’s ongoing commitment to education, outreach, and preservation. We look forward to another year of history, storytelling, and community connection.

VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

Douglas is originally from New York and moved to Las Vegas in 2010 in search of blue skies and warmer weather. Soon after arriving, he began house hunting and quickly fell in love with the charm of Old Vegas, especially neighborhoods like Paradise Palms and McNeil Estates. Each home he visited felt like a doorway into a bygone era, inspiring him to create his own 1970s time-capsule home. That passion for mid-century character led him to NPF’s Home + History tours nearly ten years ago, and he has looked forward to discovering the remarkable houses featured each year.

In April 2025, Douglas took the exciting step of becoming an NPF volunteer. He enjoys welcoming guests, supporting programs, and connecting with fellow preservation enthusiasts who share his love for Nevada’s architectural heritage. He is grateful for NPF’s work preserving the past and is eagerly anticipating the 2026 events and tours.

A LOOK AHEAD  Sock Hop & Cake Party

Mark your calendars for February 14 as we kick off the new year with a joyful throwback: our Sock Hop & Cake Party! 

Dust off your saddle shoes, grab your sweetheart, and join us for an evening of retro fun, sweet treats, and community cheer. 

More details coming soon — but trust us, you’ll want to save the date! 

Tickets at nevadapreservation.org

Thank you for supporting historic preservation in Nevada. Our programming is one of the ways we support our historic preservation efforts.