About the Event

Help us celebrate the opening of the Senator Harry Reid Papers by attending our exhibit reception and collection launch event on November 20, 2026!

Drawn from the vast collection of the Harry Reid Papers (collection 90-89) and rooted in the developing research of doctoral candidate Benjamin H. Humphries, this exhibit explores the complex environmental legacy of one of Nevada’s most influential elected officials. Humphries argues that over 34 years in Congress, nobody did more to protect Nevada’s environment and challenge its reputation as a desert wasteland than Senator Harry Reid. As a representative of one of the most rapidly-growing states in the nation, Reid carefully balanced environmental protection with the interests of mining, development, and agriculture.

Please Register by November 18, 2026.

Guest Contributor and Doctoral Candidate Benjamin H. Humphries

Program

3:00 Program
4:00 exhibit viewing and refreshments

Featuring remarks by

• Catherine Cardwell, Dean of the University Libraries
• Benjamin H. Humphries, Guest Contributor and Doctoral Candidate
• Elspeth Olson, Exhibit Curator

How to Participate In Person

• Please register using the "register here" button above. 

How to Participate Online

• Register for the streamed event via Zoom

Directions

The nearest general public parking is the Brian J. Whalen Parking Complex off of Virginia St. The nearest accessible parking is directly south of the Mathewson-IGT Knowledge Center

The event is located at the Tower Room of the Mathewson-IGT Knowledge Center which is on the southwest side of the third floor.

Elevator directions: 

• From the accessible north entrance: Head down the breezeway to the atrium at left. Enter the atrium and head towards the circulation desk. Take the elevator to the right of the circulation desk. Exit on the third floor, turn left, and turn left again before the atrium overlook. Head towards the back left of the third floor.
• From the accessible south entrance: Head up to the Whittemore gallery outside the Wells Fargo Auditorium, go past the @One Department, and proceed down the hallway all the way to the north end. Take the elevator to your right up one floor to the second floor. From the second floor, head down the breezeway to the atrium at left. Enter the atrium and head towards the circulation desk. Take the elevator to the right of the circulation desk. Exit on the third floor, turn left, and turn left again before the atrium overlook. Head towards the back left of the third floor.

Stairwell directions:

• From the western front stairs: You will enter on the second floor. Cross the breezeway into the atrium. Enter the atrium and head towards the circulation desk. Take the central stairs to the third floor. Exit on the third floor, turn right, and turn right again on the other side of the atrium overlook. Head towards the back left of the third floor.
• From the accessible north entrance: Head down the breezeway to the atrium at left. Enter the atrium and head towards the circulation desk. Take the central stairs to the third floor. Exit on the third floor, turn right, and turn right again on the other side of the atrium overlook. Head towards the back left of the third floor.
• From the accessible south entrance: Head down to the Whittemore gallery outside the Wells Fargo Auditorium, proceed north, and take the stairwell  at your left up one flight. From the second floor, head across the breezeway into the atrium. Enter the atrium and head towards the circulation desk. Take the central stairs to the third floor. Exit on the third floor, turn right, and turn right again on the other side of the atrium overlook. Head towards the back left of the third floor.

Parking

Brian Whalen Parking Garage

Image above: 90-89_6_2842, part of Series 6, Subseries 5 Part B: Office Prints and Negatives, circa 1900-2013 from the Harry Reid Papers (90-89)