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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 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, 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, 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, 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, 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, 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.
[LDV Project Archive] Interview with Ruben Garcia, Part 1 of 2

Manuel F. Medrano and Anthony K. Knopp

A raw video of an interview with Ruben Garcia, captain of the police department, who talks about his experience in the police department of Brownsville, and the way it operated after World War II.
[LDV Project Archive] Interview with Ruben Garcia, Part 2 of 2

Manuel F. Medrano and Ruben Garcia

A raw video compilation: Second part of the interview with Ruben Garcia, Brownsville police department captain, where he talks about immigration and the police department's multiple locations. Includes personal photographs, medals, and equipment from Ruben Garcia's career.
[LDV Project Archive] Interview with Ruby Woolridge, Part 1 of 4

Manuel F. Medrano and Ruby A. Woolridge

Part 1 of 4 of Ruby Woolridge's oral history. Woolridge recalls her time spent in catholic school, her transition to public school and how she became interested in social science, her experience as a student at Texas A&I, the 1932/1933 hurricanes, and her upbringing in Brownsville, Texas.
[LDV Project Archive] Interview with Ruby Woolridge, Part 2 of 4

Manuel F. Medrano and Ruby Woolridge

Part 2 of 4 of Ruby Woolridge's oral history. Woolridge recalls Pearl Harbor, rationing during war times, her wedding with Dale Woolridge, teaching government at La Encantada, and changes in Brownsville, Texas during the 1950's.
[LDV Project Archive] Interview with Ruby Woolridge, Part 3 of 4

Manuel F. Medrano and Ruby Woolridge

Part 3 of 4 of Ruby Woolridge's oral history. Woolridge recalls major events from the 1950s and 1960s, such as the Korean War, how she spent her leisure time after the war, Elvis Presley, the Richard Nixon and John F. Kennedy debates, Kennedy's assassination, Lyndon B. Johnson and Richard Nixon's presidencies, Watergate, her political identity, and her career as a teacher.
[LDV Project Archive] Interview with Ruby Woolridge, Part 4 of 4

Manuel F. Medrano and Ruby Woolridge

Part 4 of 4 of Ruby Woolridge's oral history. Woolridge recalls her time with her students and how she would like to be remembered.
[LDV Project Archive] Interview with Rudolfo Anaya

Manuel F. Medrano and Rudolfo Anaya

An interview with Rudolfo Anaya, a Chicano writer who was born in Llano Estacado, New Mexico. Anaya talks about his childhood and the Chicano movement in the early 1970s. He recalls life changes and writing.
[LDV Project Archive] Interview with Santiago Jimenez, Jr.

Manuel F. Medrano and Santiago Jimenez

An interview with Santiago Jimenez, Jr., leading accordionist from San Antonio, Texas, who talks about the legacy of the Jimenez family, especially his grandfather and father. Jimenez started to perform at the age of twelve, began playing the accordion at age fifteen, and recording at the age of seventeen. He shares different experiences recording and performing music. Jimenez explains the difference between Tejano music and Conjunto music.
[LDV Project Archive] Interview with Santiago Jimenez, Jr., Part 1 of 3

Manuel F. Medrano and Santiago Jimenez

A video of Santiago Jimenez, Jr. performing at the Science and Engineering Technology Building (SETB), the University of Texas at Brownsville. David Champion, associate director of the Narciso Martínez Cultural Center, introduces Jimenez to the audience. Jimenez performs with his accordion different conjunto music, and, in between songs, he tells his family's history.
[LDV Project Archive] Interview with Santiago Jimenez, Jr., Part 2 of 3

Manuel F. Medrano and Santiago Jimenez

A video of Santiago Jimenez, Jr. performing at the Science and Engineering Technology Building (SETB), the University of Texas at Brownsville. Jimenez performs with his accordion different conjunto and polka music. Jimenez discusses his career with the audience in a question-and-answer session.
[LDV Project Archive] Interview with Santiago Jimenez, Jr., Part 3 of 3

Manuel F. Medrano and Santiago Jimenez

A video of Santiago Jimenez, Jr. performing at the Science and Engineering Technology Building (SETB), the University of Texas at Brownsville. Jimenez talks about places where he has done tours, including Poland, France, Mexico, and Russia.
[LDV Project Archive] Interview with Tish Hinojosa

Manuel F. Medrano and Tish Hinojosa

In this interview for the Américo Paredes Endowment Fund, Tish Hinojosa talks about her relationship with Dr. Américo Paredes, her musical inspiration, the importance of Mexican American culture, and her children.
[LDV Project Archive] Interview with Valerio Longoria

Manuel F. Medrano and Valerio Longoria

An interview with Valerio Longoria, born in Kennedy, Texas, talks about his career playing the accordion, and how the accordion has changed over time. Longoria describes his experiences performing in dance halls, especially in La Villita and El Mezquiton.
[LDV Project Archive] Lecture and Interview with Juliet V. Garcia

Manuel F. Medrano and Juliet V. Garcia

Dr. Juliet V. García speaks to a classroom about the importance of advocacy, barriers Mexican Americans face in access to education, her family history, her experiences in education, and the influence of her parents on her values. She also answers interview questions about leadership and the importance of social responsibility in higher education. ca. 2001
[LDV Project Archive] Lecture by Carmen Lomas Garza

Manuel F. Medrano and Carmen Lomas Garza

A video of a lecture by Carmen Lomas Garza to the Brownsville community. Dr. Manuel Medrano reads a poem in her honor. Lomas Garza talks about her history as an artist and why she decided to become an artist, then answers questions from the audience.
[LDV Project Archive] Lecture by Juliet García for Manuel Medrano's Class, 2002, Part 1 of 2

Manuel F. Medrano and Juliet V. Garcia

This footage consists of Dr. Juliet García's lecture in Dr. Manuel Medrano's class. In her lecture, Dr. García discusses how she grew up and how she became president of Texas Southmost College. She speaks about the role of education in her life growing up in south Texas and the importance of higher education for Hispanic students.
[LDV Project Archive] Lecture by Juliet García for Manuel Medrano's Class, 2002, Part 2 of 2

Manuel F. Medrano and Juliet V. Garcia

This footage consists of Dr. Juliet García's lecture in Dr. Manuel Medrano's class. In her lecture, Dr. García discusses how she obtained her PhD from the University of Texas at Austin and the challenges about being a university president in her hometown.
[LDV Project Archive] Lecture by Juliet V. García for Manuel Medrano's Class, 1993, Part 1 of 2

Manuel F. Medrano and Juliet V. Garcia

Dr. Juliet García gives a lecture on institutional challenges facing The University of Texas at Brownsville and the Texas education system. Topics mentioned include access to education for the Latino population and the impact of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) in Brownsville.
[LDV Project Archive] Lecture by Juliet V. García for Manuel Medrano's Class, 1993, Part 2 of 2

Manuel F. Medrano and Juliet V. Garcia

Dr. Juliet García answers question from students regarding educational programs, scholarships, job market, and infrastructure in Brownsville.
[LDV Project Archive] Lecture by Maricela Flores for Manuel Medrano's Class

Manuel F. Medrano and Maricela Flores

This raw footage consists of Maricela Flores giving a lecture in Dr. Manuel Medrano's class about public affairs and her experience during her Fullbright fellowship. She also gives career advice and how to move forward.
[LDV Project Archive] Performance: Américo Paredes Tribute

Manuel F. Medrano and Americo Paredes

B-roll video footage of the Américo Paredes Tribute. Clips show Dr. Paredes welcoming guests, musical and dance performances, and speeches by those close to him (speaker names are not given).
[LDV Project Archive] Performance: Doña Rosita's Travelin' Jalapeño Kitchen with Ruby Nelda Perez, Part 1 of 2

Manuel F. Medrano and Ruby Nelda Perez

This footage is part 1 of 2 of the one woman play Doña Rosita's Travelin' Jalapeño Kitchen. In the town of Salsipuedes (“get-out-if-you-can”), Doña Rosita invites you to the last supper as she gets ready to vacate her little restaurant and home. Forced out to make room for the new shopping mall, Rosita reflects on life in the Barrio and beyond.

Performed by Ruby Velda Perez and filmed by Manuel Medrano. ca.1996
[LDV Project Archive] Performance: Doña Rosita's Travelin' Jalapeño Kitchen with Ruby Nelda Perez, Part 2 of 2

Manuel F. Medrano and Ruby Nelda Perez

This footage is part 2 of 2 of the one woman play \Doña Rosita's Travelin' Jalapeño Kitchen\. Performed by Ruby Velda Perez and filmed by Dr. Manuel Medrano. ca. 1996
[LDV Project Archive] Performance: The Shrimpboats are Coming Song

Manuel F. Medrano and Antonio Briseño

Antonio Briseño, a keyboard player, sings a bilingual song titled \The Shrimpboats are Coming.\
[LDV Project Archive] Performance: Tish Hinojosa Concert at UTB/TSC

Manuel F. Medrano and Tish Hinojosa

A B-Roll videorecording of a Tish Hinojosa concert at UTB/TSC Conference hall with footage of Américo Paredes books and Tish Hinojosa merchandise. Shows Tish Hinojosa performance for Américo Paredes tribute.
[LDV Project Archive] Performance: Valerio Longoria in Manuel Medrano's Class

Manuel F. Medrano and Valerio Longoria

Valerio Longoria, legend of conjunto music over 60 years, talks about his life as an accordion player in Dr. Manuel Medrano's class. Several presenters talk about the history of Tejano music while Longoria performs different songs playing the accordion.
[LDV Project Archive] Photographs: Album for La Villita Dance Hall, Part 1 of 2

Manuel F. Medrano

A collection of photographs of people dancing, getting married, playing music, and haging out in the dance hall.
[LDV Project Archive] Photographs: Album for La Villita Dance Hall, Part 2 of 2

Manuel F. Medrano

A collection of photographs of people dancing, getting married, playing music, and hanging out in the dance hall.
[LDV Project Archive] Photographs: Barbara Warburton

Manuel F. Medrano

A collection of pictures about Barbara Warburton.
[LDV Project Archive] Photographs: Brownsville, 1890s-1930s

Manuel F. Medrano

Footage of black and white photographs of people and buildings in Brownsville and other cities in Cameron County. Photograph years range from the 1890s - 1930s.
[LDV Project Archive] Photographs: Brownsville Police Department

Manuel F. Medrano

Collection of historical pictures from the Brownsville Police Department.
[LDV Project Archive] Photographs: Charro Days, Part 1 of 5

Manuel F. Medrano

A raw video compilation of pictures, including newspaper articles, photographs, and posters of the Sombrero Festival during Charro Days capturing the activities of the event.
[LDV Project Archive] Photographs: Charro Days, Part 2 of 5

Manuel F. Medrano

A raw video compilation of pictures, including the Governor of Texas recognition in 1961, newspaper articles, and maps during Charro Days capturing the activities and the landscape of the area during Word War II.
[LDV Project Archive] Photographs: Charro Days, Part 3 of 5

Manuel F. Medrano

A compilation of pictures, including newspaper articles, booklets of customs, and history of Charro Days in 1962.
[LDV Project Archive] Photographs: Charro Days, Part 4 of 5

Manuel F. Medrano

A raw video compilation of pictures, including official documents, items used to decorate during Charro Days, and booklet of 1938 and 1939.
[LDV Project Archive] Photographs: Charro Days, Part 5 of 5

Manuel F. Medrano

A raw video compilation of pictures, including newspaper articles, photographs of the parade in 1938, and booklet covers Charro Days capturing the activities of the event.
[LDV Project Archive] Photographs: José M. López

Manuel F. Medrano and Jose Mendoza Lopez

This raw footage consists of photos of Sergeant José M. López and his family. Notable are photos of López meeting President George W. Bush and his military awards.