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Los Del Valle

Los Del Valle

The Los del Valle Oral History Project, begun in 1993 by Manuel F. Medrano, includes edited autobiographical sketches of people from the Rio Grande Valley and South Texas and accounts of historical and cultural events that document the rich heritage of the area. The thirty volume series includes personal interviews, photographs, film clips and music that convey the uniqueness of the area not usually found in traditional sources.

The collection divides the videos into two main categories:

Volume videos (titled "Volume 01," "Volume 02," etc.) — represent published interviews. These edited documentaries feature curated interviews, performances, scholarly commentary, and thematic narratives on topics like regional history, music, and personal stories.
Items titled with "[LDV Project Archive]" — contain the unedited original interviews, raw footage, multi-part recordings, B-roll, and supplemental materials that served as the source content for the published volumes.

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[LDV Project Archive] Interview with Bruce Aiken regarding Fort Brown

Manuel F. Medrano and Bruce Tansil Aiken

A conversation with historian Bruce Aiken who talks about different photographs depicting Fort Brown and Brownsville. Aiken talks about the reconfiguration of the landscape of Fort Brown. Aiken shares photographs of the infantry and the housing design in the Fort Brown area.
[LDV Project Archive] Interview with Carmen Lomas Garza

Manuel F. Medrano and Carmen Lomas Garza

Compilation: An interview with Carmen Lomas Garza, a Chicana artist born in Kingsville, Texas, who talks about her art career. Lomas Garza talks about racial discrimination toward Mexican American families, and shares the influence and involvement of the Chicano movement in her life. A partial video of Benito Treviño, an ethnobotanist who was born in Starr County.
[LDV Project Archive] Interview with Carmen Lomas Garza

Manuel F. Medrano, Carmen Lomas Garza, Ricardo Camargo, and Johnny Aguilar

A documentary of Carmen Lomas Garza, a Chicana artist who was born in Kingsville, Texas. Lomas Garza talks about the racial discrimination toward Mexican American families, and discusses the influence and involvement of the Chicano movement in her life. She explains her paintings and the inspiration for her art which compiled in a children's book titled \Family Pictures/Cuadros de familia\.
[LDV Project Archive] Interview with Clarisa Garcia

Manuel F. Medrano and Clarissa Garcia

An interview with Clarissa Garcia on her memories of the Charro Days celebration. The celebration is an attempt to honor the cultural roots of the Rio Grande Valley.
[LDV Project Archive] Interview with David and Mary Helen Berlanga

Manuel F. Medrano, David Berlanga, and Mary Helen Berlanga

This raw footage consists of an interview with Dr. David Berlanga and his wife, Mary Helen Berlanga. Dr. Berlanga discusses how he and his wife Mary Helen met and how they worked together in bilingual education. He speaks on the importance of bilingual and multicultural education. Mary Helen speaks about her motivation to run for school board and the importance of a bilingual education and curriculum. She also talks about her childhood and how she met David Berlanga.
[LDV Project Archive] Interview with Frank Yturria

Manuel F. Medrano and Frank D. Yturria

This footage consists of Frank Yturria speaking about the history of Yturria Ranch and his life working on a ranch.
[LDV Project Archive] Interview with Henry Montalvo

Manuel F. Medrano and Henry Montalvo

Interview with Henry Montalvo, who was born in San Benito, Texas. Montalvo, a World War II veteran, talks about his experience as a naval aviator in the Hawaiian Islands, and also describes his life as principal of the Brownsville District School.
[LDV Project Archive] Interview with Jacinto Tzab, Part 1 of 3

Manuel F. Medrano and Jacinto Tzab

Part 1 of 3 of an interview with Don Jacinto Tzab, a Mayan shaman, and his student, a professor at the University of the Americas. Tzab’s disciple says her name is Samanta Juarez at 00:05:36 minutes. Tzab discusses his role as a Mayan traditional medicine practitioner who performs a variety of roles, including leading Mayan ceremonies. Together they explain Mayan practices and the importance of preserving Mayan cultures.
[LDV Project Archive] Interview with Jacinto Tzab, Part 2 of 3

Manuel F. Medrano and Jacinto Tzab

Part 2 of 3 of an interview with Don Jacinto Tzab, a Mayan shaman. Don Jacinto Tzab continues to share traditional Mayan ceremonies and a communal cleaning.
[LDV Project Archive] Interview with Jacinto Tzab, Part 3 of 3

Manuel F. Medrano and Jacinto Tzab

Part 3 of 3 of an interview with Don Jacinto Tzab, a Mayan shaman, and his student. Tzab’s disciple says her name is Samanta Juarez at 00:05:36 minutes in part 1 of the interview.
[LDV Project Archive] Interview with Jacinto Tzab (Studio)

Manuel F. Medrano and Jacinto Tzab

Interview with Don Jacinto Tzab and his student, a professor at the University of the Americas. Don Jacinto Tzab desribes how he became a shaman, different rituals, and advice to younger generations to keep traditions alive and respect Mother Earth. Tzab’s disciple says her name is Samanta Juarez at 00:05:36 minutes in the Interview with Don Jacinto Tzab, Part 1 of 3 (production number 524).
[LDV Project Archive] Interview with José M. López, 2001, Part 1 of 2

Manuel F. Medrano and Jose Mendoza Lopez

This raw footage is part one of an interview with Sergeant José M. López. In this interview, López discusses growing up in Southern Texas, working on ships in California, his wife, his experiences in the European Theater of World War II, receiving the Congressional Medal of Honor, returning to Texas after World War II, his time in the Korean War, his children, the importance of education, and meeting various presidents.
[LDV Project Archive] Interview with José M. López, 2001, Part 2 of 2

Manuel F. Medrano and Jose Mendoza Lopez

This raw footage is part two of an interview with Sergeant José M. López. In this interview, López discusses his relationship with other Latinos in the army, the importance of honoring veterans, his memories of Brownsville, Texas, being drafted, and receiving the Águila Azteca award. At 42:35, the footage switches to edit footage of a Texas Southmost Union College District Board of Trustees' meeting to name newly purchased buildings.
[LDV Project Archive] Interview with José M. López, Part 1 of 4

Manuel F. Medrano and Jose Mendoza Lopez

Part 1 of 4 of an interview with José Mendoza López a World War II veteran, who talks about his family history. López recalls his memories about his service in World War II.
[LDV Project Archive] Interview with José M. López, Part 2 of 4

Manuel F. Medrano and Jose Mendoza Lopez

Part 2 of 4 of an interview with José Mendoza López, a World War II veteran, who talks about his memories about his service in World War II in Belgium. López talks about his daughters.
[LDV Project Archive] Interview with José M. López, Part 3 of 4

Manuel F. Medrano and Jose Mendoza Lopez

Part 3 of 4, interview with José M. López, a World War II veteran, who talks about his memories of Charro Days in Brownsville. An interview with Maggie Whitweir, López's daughter, who talks about his life's legacy. An interview with López's granddaughter, who talks about the influence of her grandfather in her life.
[LDV Project Archive] Interview with José M. López, Part 4 of 4

Manuel F. Medrano and Jose Mendoza Lopez

Part 4 of 4 of an interview with José Mendoza López, a World War II veteran, who talks about his memories of Charro Days in Brownsville. An interview with Maggie Whitweir, López's daughter, who talks about his life's legacy. An interview with López's granddaughter, who talks about the influence of her grandfather in her life.
[LDV Project Archive] Interview with José M. López, Parts 1 and 2

Manuel F. Medrano and Jose Mendoza Lopez

An interview with José Mendoza López, a World War II veteran, who talks about his family history. López recalls his memories about his service in World War II.
[LDV Project Archive] Interview with José M. López, Parts 3 and 4

Manuel F. Medrano, Jose Mendoza Lopez, and Maggie Whitweir

A continuing interview with José Mendoza López, a World War II veteran, who talks about his memories of the Pearl Harbor attack. López shares stories about Germany with his family. Maggie Whitweir, López's daughter, talks about his life's legacy. López's granddaughter talks about the influence of her grandfather in her life.
[LDV Project Archive] Interview with Juliet V. Garcia and Photographs

Manuel F. Medrano and Juliet Garcia

Compilation: Interview with Dr. Juliet García, the first Mexican American woman to become president of a college or university in the United States. Dr. García talks about being president of The University of Texas at Brownsville. Also includes a speech by Dr. García at the opening of Dr. Juliet García Middle School in Brownsville, and an interview of Dr. García and the principal after her speech.
[LDV Project Archive] Interview with Larry Löf

Manuel F. Medrano and Lawrence Victor Lof

An interview with Larry Löf, one of Barbara Warburton's former students, who talks about his recollections of Warburton. Löf explains the importance of Rancho del Cielo (biological research station) for the people of Brownsville.
[LDV Project Archive] Interview with Lenoir Rentfro, Episcopal Day School

Manuel F. Medrano and Lenora Going Rentfro

Lenoir Rentfro, born in Port Aransas, talks about her involvement as director of the Episcopal Day School. Rentfro describes the teachers' commitment and the role of the Episcopal Day School in Brownsville.
[LDV Project Archive] Interview with Leta Mallett, Episcopal Day School

Manuel F. Medrano and Leta Mallet

Compilation includes indoor and outdoor footage of the Episcopal Day School chapel. Leta Mallet talks about her experience as director of the school.
[LDV Project Archive] Interview with Lorenzo Paredes

Manuel F. Medrano and Lorenzo Paredes

This raw footage is an interview with Dr. Américo Paredes' brother, Lorenzo Paredes. Paredes talks about Américo and his other brothers, as he and Dr. Manuel F. Medrano look through a photo album and a book of poetry. Paredes also discusses his life, education, and work in Brownsville, Texas. The interview finishes with Paredes talking about his family history.
[LDV Project Archive] Interview with Manuel Medrano about Los Del Valle, Part 2

Manuel F. Medrano

An interview with Dr. Manuel Medrano who talks about the meaning of Los del Valle Project. Dr. Medrano shares the importance of collecting family history.
[LDV Project Archive] Interview with Manuel Medrano and additional footage

Manuel F. Medrano and Mike Gonzalez

Compilation of interviews with Dr. Manuel Medrano. Dr. Medrano talks about the objectives and significance of the Los del Valle Oral History project. He reflects on the interviewees involved, experience writing poetry, and doing poetry/story readings for children. Includes footage of Dr. Medrano's class at the university and reading his bilingual poetry to children at El Jardin school. Second part of an interview with Dr. Medrano and his mother who talk about their life.
[LDV Project Archive] Interview with Maricela Flores

Manuel F. Medrano and Maricela Flores

Raw footage of Maricela Flores, as she discusses her life, goals, and achievements. Flores graduated from Harlingen High School and was recruited to attend Southern Methodist University. After graduating from Southern Methodist University, she worked for the U.S. Department of Commerce in Washington D.C. Flores went on to pursue a fellowship in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
[LDV Project Archive] Interview with Mario E. Ramírez

Manuel F. Medrano, Mario E. Ramirez, and Letty Fernandez

This raw footage is an interview with Dr. Mario Ramírez about his new position as the Vice President for the South Texas Border Initiatives for the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio. Dr. Ramírez speaks about his hopes for the future of higher education and health sciences in South Texas.
[LDV Project Archive] Interview with Mario Ramírez (Edited Master), Copy 1 of 2

Manuel F. Medrano, Letty Fernandez, and Mario Ramirez

This edited production video consists of an interview with Dr. Mario Ramírez, Vice President for the South Texas Border Initiatives for the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio. It is a summary of Dr. Ramírez's career as well as his goals for the health science programs at the Brownsville and Edinburg campuses.
[LDV Project Archive] Interview with Mario Ramírez (Edited Master), Copy 2 of 2

Manuel F. Medrano, Letty Fernandez, and Mario Ramirez

This edited production video consists of an interview with Dr. Mario Ramírez, Vice President for the South Texas Border Initiatives for the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio. It is a summary of Dr. Ramírez's career as well as his goals for the health science programs at the Brownsville and Edinburg campuses.
[LDV Project Archive] Interview with Martha Warburton

Manuel F. Medrano and Martha Warburton

An interview with Martha Warburton, a minister's daughter, who talks about her relationship with her mother-in-law, Barbara Warburton. Martha mentions Barbara’s role in creating Rancho del Cielo, a biological research station in northern Mexico. Footage of Barbara Warburton's study bible with a focus on highlighted passages.
[LDV Project Archive] Interview with Narciso Martínez, Copy 1 of 3

Manuel F. Medrano and Narciso Martinez

A video honoring Narciso Martínez, son of Anastacio and Cenovia Martínez, who was born in Reynosa, Tamaulipas. Martínez, a musician known as \El Huracán del Valle\, talks about his career and the origin of his musician moniker. Martínez plays music using his accordion. Other interviewees include Américo Paredes, Sabino Salinas, Rogelio Nuñez, and Oscar Hernandez.
[LDV Project Archive] Interview with Narciso Martínez, Copy 2 of 3

Manuel F. Medrano, Narciso Martinez, Americo Paredes, Sabino Salinas, Rogelio Nuñez, and Oscar Hernandez

A video honoring Narciso Martínez, son of Anastacio and Cenovia Martínez, who was born in Reynosa, Tamaulipas. Martínez, a musician known as \El Huracán del Valle\, talks about his career and the origin of his musician moniker. Martínez plays music using his accordion. Other interviewees include Américo Paredes, Sabino Salinas, Rogelio Nuñez, and Oscar Hernandez.
[LDV Project Archive] Interview with Narciso Martínez, Copy 3 of 3

Manuel F. Medrano, Narciso Martinez, Americo Paredes, Sabino Salinas, Rogelio Nuñez, and Oscar Hernandez

A video honoring Narciso Martínez, son of Anastacio and Cenovia Martínez, who was born in Reynosa, Tamaulipas. Martínez, a musician known as \El Huracán del Valle\, talks about his career and the origin of his musician moniker. Martínez plays music using his accordion. Other interviewees include Américo Paredes, Sabino Salinas, Rogelio Nuñez, and Oscar Hernandez.
[LDV Project Archive] Interview with Olga Lozano

Manuel F. Medrano and Olga Lozano

Original, unedited, video of Olga Lozano, born in Harlingen, Texas, who talks about her family as pioneers of Harlingen. Lozano describes pursuing a career in pharmacy, a career with not a lot of women when she started. Lozano worked at a drug store in San Benito, Texas, and later she worked at the Valley Baptist Hospital Pharmacy at Brownsville for twenty-nine years. She recounts the good and difficult days working as pharmacist at the Valley Baptist Hospital at Brownsville.
[LDV Project Archive] Interview with Oscar Hernandez, Narciso Martinez Cultural Art Center

Manuel F. Medrano and Oscar Hernandez

Compilation: Interview with Oscar Hernandez, an accordion player, who talks about his career. Hernandez discusses the importance of Conjunto music, and shows his tutoring at Narciso Martínez Cultural Art Center.
[LDV Project Archive] Interview with Reynaldo Garza

Manuel F. Medrano and Reynaldo F. Garza

Compilation: Interview with Judge Reynaldo Garza, first Mexican American Federal Judge, who talks about his career. Judge Garza emphasizes the importance of junior colleges in the United States. Video includes tour by Judge Garza of his office, where he talks about his pictures and awards received. A narration about Judge Garza's life.
[LDV Project Archive] Interview with Reynaldo Garza, Part 1 of 3

Manuel F. Medrano and Reynaldo Garza

An interview with Judge Reynaldo Garza who talks about pictures with John Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson that are displayed on his office wall. Judge Garza shares memories of his career and the importance of education for Mexican American children.
[LDV Project Archive] Interview with Reynaldo Garza, Part 2 of 3

Manuel F. Medrano and Reynaldo Garza

An interview with Judge Reynaldo Garza who discusses the importance of education for children. Judge Garza talks about how he wants to be remembered. Garza and Medrano talk about family photographs.
[LDV Project Archive] Interview with Reynaldo Garza, Part 3 of 3

Manuel F. Medrano and Reynaldo Garza

An interview with Judge Reynaldo Garza who talks about his years in high school and college. Judge Garza recalls his fight against discrimination of Mexican Americans. He explains changes in the Brownsville area.
[LDV Project Archive] Interview with Rodolfo de la Garza

Manuel F. Medrano and Rodolfo De la Garza

An interview with Rodolfo de la Garza, Vice President of the Tomas Rivera Policy Institute and Professor in the Department of Government at the University of Texas at Austin, for the University of Texas at Brownsville Faculty Study. Dr. de la Garza talks about his family, his upbringing in Tuscon, Arizona, his experiences at the University of Arizona, and how he came to understand discrimination during his time in graduate school and early academic career.
[LDV Project Archive] Interview with Rogelio Nuñez, Narcíso Martinez Cultural Art Center

Manuel F. Medrano and Rogelio Nuñez

Compilation: An interview with Rogelio Nuñez, the Narciso Martínez Cultural Art Center director, about his background and the origins of the Cultural Center. Recording includes an accordion class taught by Oscar Hernandez at the Cultural Center.
[LDV Project Archive] Interview with Rolando Hinojosa-Smith

Manuel F. Medrano and Rolando Hinojosa-Smith

An interview with University of Texas at Austin professor Dr. Rolando Hinojosa-Smith, who discusses his friendship and academic relationship with Dr. Américo Paredes.
[LDV Project Archive] Interview with Rolando Hinojosa-Smith and Américo Paredes / Interiew with Narciso Martínez

Manuel F. Medrano, Rolando Hinojosa-Smith, Americo Paredes, and Narciso Martinez

Video clips include interviews with Dr. Rolando Hinojosa-Smith, Américo Paredes, and Narciso Martínez.
[LDV Project Archive] Interview with Rolando Hinojosa-Smith and Américo Paredes / "La Musica en La Sangre" / Interview with Sabino Salinas, Jesus Castillo, and Alberto Gallegos.

Manuel F. Medrano, Rolando Hinojosa-Smith, Americo Paredes, Sabino Salinas, Jesus Castillo, and Alberto Gallegos

This edited video consists of clips of interviews with Dr. Rolando Hinojosa-Smith and Américo Paredes. Second half of video includes Los Del Valle, Musica en la Sangre - Sabino Salinas y Amigos.
[LDV Project Archive] Interview with Rolando Hinojosa-Smith at the University of Texas at Austin, Part 1 of 5

Manuel F. Medrano and Rolando Hinojosa-Smith

This interview held at the University of Texas at Austin with Dr. Rolando Hinojosa-Smith about the author's life.
[LDV Project Archive] Interview with Rolando Hinojosa-Smith at the University of Texas at Austin, Part 2 of 5

Manuel F. Medrano and Rolando Hinojosa-Smith

This interview held at the University of Texas at Austin consists of Dr. Rolando Hinojosa-Smith giving advice to young writers.
[LDV Project Archive] Interview with Rolando Hinojosa-Smith at the University of Texas at Austin, Part 3 of 5

Manuel F. Medrano and Rolando Hinojosa-Smith

This interview held at the University of Texas at Austin consists of Dr. Rolando Hinojosa-Smith discussing heritage and culture.
[LDV Project Archive] Interview with Rolando Hinojosa-Smith at the University of Texas at Austin, Part 4 of 5

Manuel F. Medrano and Rolando Hinojosa-Smith

This interview held at the University of Texas at Austin consists of Dr. Rolando Hinojosa-Smith (1929-2022) discussing his students over the years and awards he has recieved for his writing.
[LDV Project Archive] Interview with Rolando Hinojosa-Smith at the University of Texas at Austin, Part 5 of 5

Manuel F. Medrano and Rolando Hinojosa-Smith

This interview held at the University of Texas at Austin consists of Dr. Rolando Hinojosa-Smith (1929-2022) discussing his relationship with Américo Paredes. Raw footage includes Dr. Hinojosa-Smith in his office and walking around the university.