Brownsville History Harvest 2014

On Saturday, September 27, 2014, Rio Grande Valley residents participated in the Brownsville History Harvest at the Brownsville Public Library Central Branch.

More than seventy community members brought items from their family collections, including glass plate negatives from the Gilded Age, haunting photographs of the Mexican Revolution, maps of historic Fort Brown, and letters from World War II.

Eight scanning stations were set up around the community room, staffed by sponsoring organizations and volunteers from The University of Texas at Brownsville, Texas Southmost College, and Brownsville Independent School District who digitized hundreds of unique items along with collecting detailed documentation for each. The collection owners were able to take their original materials home, along with free digital copies. The sponsoring organizations created and retained a digital copy in accordance with the owner's approval.

The objective of the History Harvest is to create a community collection from the area's families documenting local, regional, and national history to be held at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley Library and made available for research, teaching, and educational exhibitions.

The program was sponsored by Humanities Texas. Sponsoring local organizations include Brownsville Public Library, The University of Texas at Brownsville Library, Brownsville Historical Association, and Texas Southmost College.

Printing is not supported at the primary Gallery Thumbnail page. Please first navigate to a specific Image before printing.

Switch View to List View Slideshow

[People] Identification of Maria Andrea Posada

Passport/ID photo of Maria Andrea Posada; already married; over half of the photo is stamped with a seal containing a design and words on the bottom; can read out Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Familiar No. 79, migracion, al; in 1970's.
[People] Identification of Maximo Guerra Trevino

Maximo Guerra Trevino's Resident Alien Identification card, 1944-08-12.
[People] Multiple photographs; Paula Barbosa Perez, Elia Chapa, Celia Chapa, baby Belia Chapa; Boca Chica Beach; Samuel J. Klahn and his sisters

3 photographs of Paula Barbosa Perez, Elia Chapa, Celia Chapa, baby Belia Chapa; Boca Chica Beach; Samuel J. Klahn and his sisters; taken in 1949; at Brownsville, Texas.
[People] Multiple photographs; Porfiria Klahn with friends and family members

6 photographs belonging to Porfiria Klahn with friends and family members; taken in 1930's; at Brownsville, Texas.
[People] Multiple photographs; Uribe-Shears family - 01

6 photographs; family portraits. 1920s
[People] Multiple photographs; Uribe-Shears family - 02

9 photographs; family portraits. 1920s
[People] Multiple photographs; Uribe-Shears family - 03

6 photographs; family portraits, exterior architecture of house in Brownsville, Texas. 1920s
[People] Multiple photographs; Uribe-Shears family - 04

8 photographs; family portraits.1920s
[People] Multiple photographs; Uribe-Shears family - 05

8 photographs; family portraits, Villarreal Studio, La Popular corner store on 12th St. and Adams St. in Brownsville, Texas. 1920s
[People] Multiple photographs; Uribe-Shears family - 06

9 photographs; Posing for Charro Days, William's son at Matamoros plaza, Beti at South Padre Island, crossing the Rio Grande river on boat, walking in front of Brownsville Post Office, and Charlie Gonzales Shears. 1930s
[People] Multiple photographs; Uribe-Shears family - 07

3 photographs; largest photograph of Rosario Uribe-Gomez (names in caption), Lola and her first communion. 1930s
[People] Multiple photographs; Uribe-Shears family - 08

4 photographs; Mary Ellen Gomez (Rosario's daughter); Nora Benavidez (Rosario's daughter) (names in caption); additional single photo of Tomasita Shears (first communion and Rosario's mother). 1930s
[People] Multiple photographs; Uribe-Shears family - 09

4 photographs; dressed up child cowboy on pony, rest are self-portraits, one says Sophie in caption. 1930s
[People] Multiple photographs; Uribe-Shears family - 10

7 photographs; a friend of the family Minnie Mo, baby, Orive sisters in Monterrey, Orive residence in Brownsville, Texas, Sherman 1945.
[People] Multiple photographs; Uribe-Shears family - 11

2 photographs; Older family members, March 1960; Tony Tamayo and Ofelia Uribe-Tamayo (1946 wedding picture; names in caption) and when they're older.
[People] Multiple photographs; Uribe-Shears family - 12

6 photographs; Mexican passport of Antonio Uribe in front; immigration card of Antonio Uribe-Hinojosa in back.
[People] Multiple photographs; Uribe-Shears family - 13

Baptism document in front; 2 images of Charro Days in back.
[People] Multiple photographs; Uribe-Shears family - 14

8 photographs; top photo: two men walking by downtown Brownsville, bottom photo: Tomasita Shears feeding turkeys.
[People] Multiple photographs; Uribe-Shears family - 15

9 photographs; A Barrel of Love picture, Floral arrangement store, Mexicans on horseback with guns.
[People] Multiple photographs; Uribe-Shears family - 16

16 photographs; circus family (friends of Shears family).
[People] Obituary of Sara Klahn, Henry James' daughter

Obituary of Henry James Klahns' daughter, Sara Klahn; written on 1954.
[People] Photograph of a De La Rosa family celebrating a birthday

Photo of L-R: Abigale de la Rosa, Albertico de la Rosa, Alberto de la Rosa, Magdan Chapa, Petra Lopez, Armendina Chapa, Alejandro de la Rosa, Eduardo Chapa; taken late 1980's in Brownsville, Texas. A multigenerational family celebrating a birthday. 1989ca
[People] Photograph of Adelfa Torres with her two children

Adelfa Torres (middle) with her two children; taken in Michigan., 1940 - 1949.
[People] Photograph of Adelina Chavez and grandson

Adelina Chavez and grandson; taken in Ejido Soliseno near Matamoros, Mexico., 1968.
[People] Photograph of Adelina Chavez and niece

Adelina Chavez and her niece, 1965.
[People] Photograph of Adelina Chavez, Paquita, and Juan

Adelina Chavez and Paquita; daughter, and son (Juan); taken in Ejido Soliseno, Matamoros Mexico, 1968.
[People] Photograph of a Maria Elva's quinceanera

Quinceanera photo; Maria Elva on the right at her; 15th birthday party; on the left unknown; one of Maria's friend; taken in Matamoros, Tamaulipas; in 1969.
[People] Photograph of Amelia Marks, Benito Mark, Enrique Marks, Manuel Marks, Lupe Marks, and Enrique B. Marks

2 photographs; Amelia Marks and children Benito, Enrique, Manuel, and Lupe; Enrique B. Marks; taken in the 1900's at Brownsville, Texas., 1900 - 1910.
[People] Photograph of Antonia Wieland and Roland Wieland

Grandparents Antonia and Roland Wieland, 1950 - 1959.
[People] Photograph of Antonia Wieland and Roland Wieland

Grandparents Antonia and Roland Wieland, 1960 - 1969.
[People] Photograph of Antonia Wieland and Roland Wieland's wedding

Antonia and Roland Wieland wedding; taken at Brownsville, Texas., 1963.
[People] Photograph of Antonia Wieland in elementary school

Owner's grandmother Antonia Wieland in elementary school, 1947 - 1948.
[People] Photograph of Antonia Wieland in front of her home

Antonia Wieland in front of her home; taken at Brownsville, Texas., 1959.
[People] Photograph of Antonio Gonzalez and son's first communion

Antonio Gonzalez and his son, during son's first communion celebration. 1956
[People] Photograph of Antonio Gonzalez in a social gathering

Antonio Gonzalez in a social gathering, 1960 - 1969.
[People] Photograph of automobile belonging to Isabel Torres' grandfather

Automobile belonging to grandfather, Isabel Torres; taken at Michigan., 1956.
[People] Photograph of baptism of Georgina Flores Erosa Ortiz, Enrique Erosa Valencia, and Ramiro Longoria

Baptism of Georgina Flores Erosa Ortiz and Enrique Erosa Valencia; Ramiro Longoria; Godfather; Guadalupe Church; taken in 1967 in Matamoros, Tamaulipas.
[People] Photograph of birthday party

Birthday party photo; with child and pinata; Isabel Rodriguez birthday party; had turn 4 years old; September 10, 1972; polaroid photo taken in Matamoros, Tamaulipas; in 1972.
[People] Photograph of Carmen Gavito and Dr. Melchor Landin Jr.'s wedding at Immaculate Conception Cathedral

Wedding photo; Carmen Gavito and Dr. Melchor Landin Jr.; taken in August 1951; in Brownsville, Texas.
[People] Photograph of Carmen Landin Gavito

Photo of Carmen Landin Gavito; taken in 1945; in Brownsville, Texas.
[People] Photograph of ceremony for Ramon Guillen Balboa

Ceremony for Ramon Guillen Balboa, 4th from the left; taken in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, 1955.
[People] Photograph of Cleofas Bustos and Otilia Balencia

Senorita Cleofas Bustos; la nina Otilia Balencia; 6 anos 4 meses; fue dado por mi bisabuela; taken in 1937, in Tampico, Tamaulipas.
[People] Photograph of Elva Klahn Mendez, Porfiria Klahn Canul, Maria Barbosa Klahn, Samuel James Klahn

Elva Klahn Mendez, Porfiria Klahn Canul, Maria Barbosa Klahn, Samuel James Klahn; taken in 1951 at Brownsville, Texas.
[People] Photograph of Fannie Kahn Marks, Adolph Marks, and accompanying death certificate

2 photographs; Fannie Kahn Marks, husband Adolph Marks and death certificate; Cincinnati, Ohio., 1878
[People] Photograph of Fernando de Leon, father of Sofia Gonzalez

Fernando de Leon (father of Sofia Gonzalez) outside a McDonald's restaurant; taken in Brownsville, Texas., 1980.
[People] Photograph of five young children

Polaroid photograph of collection's owner, Susan Balch; family name Flores; taken in Brownsville, Texas.
[People] Photograph of Florentina Colchado and relative at Tampico beach

Grandmother in picture taken in Tampico Beach; Municipal Mayor from Guemez, Tamaulipas; Florentina Colchado; taken in 1940's; Guemez, Tamaulipas.
[People] Photograph of Ford Smith Lockett and friends hunting ducks in Mexico by the plane

Ford's father, Ford Smith Lockett and friends hunting ducks in Mexico by the plane (BT trainer) they flew down; L-R: unknown, Bill Curry, George McGonigle (pilot), unknown; taken in 1945 (after WWII).
[People] Photograph of Francisco Rosales

Francisco Rosales pictured in photograph; interior (likely studio) photograph; taken in early 20th Century. 1930ca
[People] Photograph of Georgina Davila's quinceanera

Left to right: Maria Raquel, Georgina Davila, Maximino Davila; quinceanera for Georgina Davila; Matamoros, Mexico., 1990.
[People] Photograph of Gracie Torres

Aunt Gracie Torres; taken at Brownsville, Texas., 1975.
[People] Photograph of Gracie Torres holding her daughter

Aunt Gracie Torres holding her daughter; taken in Michigan., 1948.
[People] Photograph of Gregorio Vallerwair and wife's wedding party

Wedding party of grandmother from father's side; Gregorio Vallerwair; the wife used 3 wedding dresses, white, pink, and light blue; taken in 1933, in Tampico, Tamaulipas.
[People] Photograph of Hector Chavez

Hector Chavez (owner's father), at an establishment; taken at Pueblas Negras, Coahuila, Mexico., 1958.
[People] Photograph of Henry James Klahn

Paternal great grandfather, Henry James Klahn; moved to Galveston, Texas from Germany; taken in 1858 at Brownsville, Texas., 1858.
[People] Photograph of Henry James Klahn

James Henry Klahn; grandfather; Brownsville Marshall; County Judge; taken in the late 1800's. 1899ca
[People] Photograph of Isabel de Leon and Sofia Gonzalez

Isabel de Leon holding daughter Sofia Gonzalez in parking lot of Wal-Mart at Boca Chica Blvd. in Brownsville, Texas., 1999.
[People] Photograph of Johnny Guerrero and Juanita Rosales Cantu

Johnny Guerrero pictured left and Juanita Rosales Cantu pictured on right; taken at Pharr, Texas., 1952.
[People] Photograph of Josefa G. Guevara

Josefa G. Guevara; taken in 1920's or 1930's in Matamoros, Tamaulipas.
[People] Photograph of Juan Antonio Rosales, Juanita Rosales Cantu's father

Father of Juanita Cantu, Juan Antonio Rosales; taken in Pharr, Texas., 1939.
[People] Photograph of Kimberly Ann Munoz's family

Left to right top row; Pete I Munoz, Mark Anthony Munoz; left to right bottom row: Kimberly Ann Munoz, Michael Munoz; Brownsville, Texas., 2012.
[People] Photograph of Macedonio Manzano

Photograph of Macedonio Manzano, who was executed on June 4, 1914, at the age of fifteen during the Mexican Revolution in Matamoros. His executors were Carranzistas.
[People] Photograph of Maria Andrea Posada

Portrait photo of Maria Andrea Posada; widow to Rosales; 12 years old; school photo; middle school; Colegio Don Bosco; taken in Matamoros; in 1948.
[People] Photograph of Maria Elva Morales Melendez

Photo of Maria Elva Morales Melendez; she was a dama at a quinceanera; at the age of 17; taken in Matamoros, Tamaulipas; in 1968.
[People] Photograph of Maria Larson

Baby pictures of Maria Larson taken in 1969 in Tampico, Mexico.
[People] Photograph of Maria Magdalena Rosales

Sister of Juan Z. Rosales named Maria Magdalena Rosales; taken in Pharr, Texas., 1930.
[People] Photograph of Maria Marks, Jose Angel Marks and friends

2 photographs; Maria Marks and friends; and Maria Mark's husband, Jose Angel Marks; Brownsville, Texas., 1920 - 1929.
[People] Photograph of migrants doing fieldwork in Michigan

Migrants doing fieldwork in Michigan.
[People] Photograph of migrants, Isabel Torres' grandfather, picking cherries

Grandfather of Isabel Torres and another migrant worker picking cherries in Michigan., 07-1958.
[People] Photograph of Morales-Melendez family

Morales Melendez family; left to right: Alicia (5 years old), Rosalinda (3 years old), Maria Elva (2 years old), Jose Morales (around 40 years old); father of children; at a plaza in Matamoros, Tamaulipas; taken in 1950's.
[People] Photograph of Olivia Garcia

Olivia Garcia at South Padre Island, 2000.
[People] Photograph of Olivia Garcia Mendoza Rodriguez's first communion

Olivia Garcia Mendoza Rodriguez's first communion; Mrs. Campos grandmother; taken in Brownsville, Texas.
[People] Photograph of Petra Gonzalez

Petra Gonzalez, the neighbor, adopted Olivia and Garcia Mendoza when their mother died; taken in Brownsville, Texas., 1920 - 1929.
[People] Photograph of Porfiria Klahn at junior high graduation

Porfiria Klahn; Jr. High Graduation; 13 years old next to automobile taken in 1935; in Brownsville, Texas.
[People] Photograph of quinceanera / pageant-style dressed girls posing

Quinceanera / pageant-style dressed girls posing; taken in Brownsville, Texas., 1940 - 1949.

Browse

Search

Author Corner

Links

Image Locations