Our Nevada Stories

America 250 Nevada

Exlporing the Silver State through storytelling and oral history, hosted by state folklorist Brad McMullen.

Episodes

  1. 18h ago

    Only in Nevada

    For over a century and a half, Nevada has enjoyed a strange reputation. Mark Twain’s frontier descriptions of Virginia City in Roughing It captivated audiences across the country, and quaints from his roommate Dan DeQuille like “The Traveling Stones of Pahranagat Valley” went the 19th century version of viral in newspapers around the world. In old Hollywood films, “Going to Reno” was shorthand for getting a divorce, and dozens of films were shot in the silver state based on that premise including The Misfits starring Marylin Monroe. Later, nuclear bomb testing, Area 51, the gay rodeo, Reno 911, and that what happens in Las Vegas stays there has created a vision of Nevada that is strange and fascinating. For people who live here, we know that sometimes that reputation is stretched, but there are many things that are strange and unique to this state; a huge landmass that sometimes feels like one big small town.

    29 min

  2. Jun 25

    Melting Pot

    Since Nevada’s founding in 1864, many interesting people have called this place home. People of all backgrounds, creeds, ethnicities and beliefs, and people with different motivations for being here. From the Indigenous Shoshone, Northern Paiute, Southern Paiute and Washoe, to prospectors and pioneers, to rail workers, entertainers, divorcees, explorers, cowboys, and countless more. Nevada is a place where people come for a second…or third chance…and like America itself, it’s a place where different types of people and ideas blend together.  Our Nevada Stories is hosted by State Folklorist Brad McMullen. This podcast is part of America 250 Nevada, celebrating the voices of this place. For more information, visit https://www.america250nevada.org, and for future episodes subscribe to Our Nevada Stories on your podcast app. Support for Our Nevada Stories provided by the NV Energy Foundation and the Nevada Department of Tourism and Culture.

    29 min

  3. Jun 18

    How Things Have Changed

    Nevada’s story of becoming a state is unique. The state constitution needed to arrive in Washington DC in time for the state to participate in the 1864 election. When the couriers carrying the constitution weren’t going to make it in time, it was decided to telegraph the constitution from Carson City to Washington DC. And ever since then Nevada and its people have adapted to all types of new circumstances; shifts in communication, transportation, urbanization and way of life. • Our Nevada Stories is hosted by State Folklorist Brad McMullen. This podcast is part of America 250 Nevada, celebrating the voices of this place. For more information, visit https://www.america250nevada.org, and for future episodes subscribe to Our Nevada Stories on your podcast app. Support for Our Nevada Stories provided by the NV Energy Foundation and the Nevada Department of Tourism and Culture.

    29 min

  4. Jun 11

    On the Land

    Mining, Ranching and Nevada's Public Lands. •••  Over 80% of Nevada is public lands, the highest in the country. Some of that is managed by the US Forest Service and Nevada State Parks, but most of it is managed by the US Bureau of Land Management. Public lands allow for all types of uses, from camping, off-roading, over-landing, hot spring hunting, rock hounding and pretty much anything else you can think of. The BLM also grants leasing access to grazing and for mining – two of Nevada’s big legacy industries, both of which have shaped the current state since American settlers came in the 1800s. Public land is even enshrined in the Nevada state constitution. The access to big open spaces is intrinsically linked with the identity of this place – whether that’s for enjoyment of the dark skies, the big swaths of sagebrush sea, or for industrial and agricultural use. ///  If you’ve got a story to share, submit yours to www.america250nevada.org/our-nevada-stories.

    29 min

  5. Jun 4

    Big City Lights

    Nevada's Gaming and Urban Stories One interesting fact about Nevada is that it’s the most urban state in America. Even though it’s made of huge tracts of open land, a huge percentage of the population lives in two metropolitan areas: Reno and Las Vegas. The history of these two cities is very different, but each of their stories – being in the state of Nevada – has been intertwined with the presence of gambling, which the state legalized in 1931. The casinos led to urban booms, often associated with the glittering lights, and the buzzy 24hr glow of downtown: Virginia Street in Reno, and one of the world’s most iconic main streets, the Las Vegas Strip.  Though these places have been tourist meccas for almost a century now, they’re also home to workers, academics, socialites and people from all types of fascinating backgrounds. Hear from a group of Nevadans who have worked and lived in the silver state's big cities.

    29 min

  6. May 28

    Becoming a Nevadan

    There is no single way to become a Nevadan, so today we’ll hear from some folks who have found their own path into it. ••• Our Nevada Stories is hosted by State Folklorist Brad McMullen. This podcast is part of America 250 Nevada, celebrating the voices of this place. For more information, visit https://www.america250nevada.org, and for future episodes subscribe to Our Nevada Stories on your podcast app. Support for Our Nevada Stories provided by the NV Energy Foundation and the Nevada Department of Tourism and Culture.

    29 min

  7. Season 1 Trailer

    Introducing: Our Nevada Stories

    Introducing "Our Nevada Stories" - part of America 250 Nevada. A podcast exploring the Silver State through storytelling and oral history. Hosted by State Folklorist Brad McMullen.

    1 min

Trailer

About

Exlporing the Silver State through storytelling and oral history, hosted by state folklorist Brad McMullen.

Information

  • Creator
    America 250 Nevada
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    7
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © America 250 Nevada
  • Show Website
    Our Nevada Stories

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