Helen Stewart: The First Lady of Las Vegas – a VKZ Education Packet

Unit Overview

This study unit introduces students to Helen Stewart, an influential figure in the history of Las Vegas, known as the “First Lady of Las Vegas.” Students will explore her life, her role in the development of the Las Vegas Valley, and her legacy. The unit incorporates history, critical thinking, and creative activities to engage students in understanding her impact on Southern Nevada.

Learning Objectives

By the end of this unit, students will:

1. Understand the historical context of Helen Stewart’s life and her contributions to Las Vegas.
2. Analyze the challenges she faced as a rancher and businesswoman in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
3. Explore her role in preserving local history and her contributions to education and infrastructure in Las Vegas.
4. Develop critical thinking and creative skills through discussions, research, and hands-on activities.

Unit Outline

Day 1: Introduction to Helen Stewart

• Objective: Understand Helen Stewart’s background and her arrival in Southern Nevada.
• Activities:
  1. Lecture/Discussion: Introduce Helen Stewart’s early life, her marriage to Archibald Stewart, and their move to the Las Vegas Valley.
  2. Map Activity: Locate the Las Vegas Valley and discuss its geography in the late 1800s.
  3. Primary Source Analysis: Examine photographs of Helen Stewart and early Las Vegas.
• Homework: Write a journal entry imagining life as a settler in the Las Vegas Valley during the 1880s.

Day 2: Helen Stewart as a Rancher and Businesswoman

• Objective: Learn about Helen Stewart’s role in managing the Stewart Ranch and her contributions to the local economy.
• Activities:
  1. Lecture: Discuss the challenges Helen faced after Archibald’s death and how she managed the ranch.
  2. Group Activity: Create a timeline of significant events in Helen Stewart’s life.
  3. Math Integration: Calculate how much Helen Stewart earned from selling her land to the railroad and how that sale impacted the region.
• Homework: Research the role of the railroad in the development of Las Vegas.

Day 3: Helen Stewart’s Legacy

• Objective: Analyze Helen Stewart’s contributions to education, culture, and historical preservation.
• Activities:
  1. Reading and Discussion: Read excerpts about Helen’s involvement in establishing schools and preserving Native American artifacts.
  2. Creative Project: Design a historical marker or plaque commemorating Helen Stewart’s contributions to Las Vegas.
  3. Critical Thinking: Discuss how Helen’s actions influenced the development of the city and why she is called the “First Lady of Las Vegas.”
• Homework: Write an essay on how Helen Stewart’s contributions shaped modern Las Vegas.

Day 4: Field Trip or Virtual Tour

• Objective: Explore places connected to Helen Stewart and early Las Vegas history.
• Activities:
  1. Field Trip: Visit the Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort State Historic Park or the Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas, to see artifacts and exhibits related to Helen Stewart.
  2. Virtual Tour Option: Explore online resources and historical archives about Helen Stewart.
  3. Reflection Activity: Write about the most interesting thing learned during the visit or tour.

Day 5: Final Project and Presentation

• Objective: Synthesize learning through a creative or research-based project.
• Activities:
  1. Project Options:
     • Create a diorama or model of the Stewart Ranch.
     • Write and perform a short play or skit about Helen Stewart’s life.
     • Develop a detailed report or presentation on a specific aspect of her legacy, such as her land sale to the railroad or her preservation efforts.
  2. Presentations: Students share their projects with the class.
  3. Class Discussion: Reflect on what was learned about Helen Stewart and her role in Las Vegas history.

Assessment

• Participation in discussions and activities.
• Completion of homework assignments, including the journal entry and essay.
• Quality and creativity of the final project and presentation.
• Reflection on the field trip or virtual tour.

Extension Activities

1. Research Assignment: Investigate other notable figures in Las Vegas history, such as Charles “Pop” Squires or E.W. Clark.
2. Art Project: Create a map illustrating the development of the Las Vegas Valley, including significant landmarks from Helen Stewart’s time.
3. Community Connection: Interview a local historian or visit a museum to learn more about Southern Nevada’s early days.

Resources

• Photographs and artifacts from the Nevada State Museum, Las Vegas
• Excerpts from “The History of Las Vegas” by Eugene P. Moehring
• Online archives from the Nevada Historical Society
• Virtual tours and videos from the Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort State Historic Park

By the end of this unit, students will have a deeper understanding of Helen Stewart’s life, her resilience as a pioneer, and her lasting impact on the development of Las Vegas. Her story serves as an inspiring example of leadership, vision, and determination.