Cannon Collection Highlights Turning Points in Nevada History
by Brandi Segura

In 1983, Senator Howard Cannon donated to UNLV his extensive collection of materials that chronicle his time in the legislature from 1958 to 1982. This collection has been invaluable to those who want to learn more about Nevada’s colorful history.

“The groundwork was laid back in 1968 when Hal Erickson, the dean of libraries, noted in correspondence with Senator Cannon that he hoped Cannon would one day deposit his senatorial papers at the UNLV Libraries. Their correspondence indicates that Cannon was cognizant of the importance of the donation and request,” say Su Kim Chung, manuscripts librarian for UNLV Libraries Special Collections.

The collection consists of more than 700 boxes, which include communications with Cannon’s constituents and other politicians, committee documents, speeches and background information on issues being considered by Congress. This donation has allowed the library to provide resources for researchers studying Nevada’s history.

Chung says that the collection has helped a number of students learn about Nevada’s history. One of the most significant projects that utilized the collection was a biography written by Michael Vernetti. In fall 2008, Vernetti kicked off his book tour with a public lecture at Lied Library.

“I loved the vitality of having those original documents, sometimes with handwritten notations from the senator himself, because they made his day-to-day life in the Senate come alive,” says Vernetti.