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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] Photographs: José M. López and Lee Gonzalez / Fishing Advice with Steve Walker

Manuel F. Medrano, Steve Walker, Jose Medrano Lopez, and Lee Gonzalez

The first part of the video consists of photos of Sergeant José M. López and Lee Gonzalez during their time in the army. At 13:54, Steve Walker talks about fishing equipment and gives advice for fishing on the Texas Gulf Coast for people who travel south to Texas for the winter months.
[LDV Project Archive] Photographs: Los Braceros

Manuel F. Medrano

Photographs of men who participated in the Bracero program. Images include identification cards, photographs of men working in fields, certificates, checks, and other official documents.
[LDV Project Archive] Photographs: Los Fresnos Volunteer Fire Department, Part 1 of 2

Manuel F. Medrano

Footage includes photographs of tragic events at the Los Fresnos Fire Department, as well as firefighters, and infrastructure of the department.
[LDV Project Archive] Photographs: Los Fresnos Volunteer Fire Department, Part 2 of 2

Manuel F. Medrano

A video collection of photographs showing the infrastructure of the fire department in Brownville and people involved in the department.
[LDV Project Archive] Photographs: Manuel Medrano's Family

Manuel F. Medrano

This edited video consists of close-ups of numerous historical photographs. ca. 1990s-200s
[LDV Project Archive] Photographs: Medrano Archive

Manuel F. Medrano

This edited footage consists of close-ups of numerous historical photographs, as well as edited footage of school children with music playing in the background. ca. 1993-2000s
[LDV Project Archive] Photographs: Narciso Martínez

Manuel F. Medrano and Narciso Martínez

A compilation of photographs of Narciso Martínez's performances and events.
[LDV Project Archive] Photographs: Narrated by Rolando Hinojosa-Smith

Manuel F. Medrano and Rolando Hinojosa-Smith

Video includes narration by Dr. Rolando Hinojosa-Smith of various photographs about his life and career. Mentions his professional relationships with various people.
[LDV Project Archive] Photographs: Reynaldo Garza

Manuel F. Medrano and Reynaldo Garza

Footage of photographs from Judge Reynaldo Garza which depict his family and career at different moments of his life.
[LDV Project Archive] Photographs: Rio Grande Valley, Early 1900s

Manuel F. Medrano, Maricela Flores, Johnny Aguilar, Ricardo Camargo, Norberto Martinez, and Juan Miguel Gonzalez

Compilation: A video showing people and infrastructure of Brownsville with the song \My Little Town\ playing in the background. Footage of a collection of photographs, postcards, and maps of the Rio Grande Valley area which depict people and infrastructure in the early twentieth century.
[LDV Project Archive] Photographs: Shrimp Industry

Manuel F. Medrano

Images of photographs and newspaper clippings about the shrimp industry at Port Isabel in Brownsville; and Christmas card images.
[LDV Project Archive] Private Screening of "Mi Familia" with Gregory Nava, Part 1 of 4

Manuel F. Medrano and Gregory Nava

This video contains footage from a private screening of \Mi Familia\ at the 1996 Social Sciences Symposium in Brownsville, Texas. The footage consists of participants entering the theater and interacting with the film's director, Gregory Nava, and a question-and-answer session with Nava after the screening. Nava discusses Chicano represtation in film and the universal theme of family.
[LDV Project Archive] Private Screening of "Mi Familia" with Gregory Nava, Part 2 of 4

Manuel F. Medrano and Gregory Nava

This video is a continued question-and-answer session with Gregory Nava after a private screening of his film \Mi Familia\ at the 1996 Social Sciences Symposium in Brownsville, Texas. Nava discusses celebrating Chicano culture and his upcoming biopic about Selena Quintanilla Pérez.
[LDV Project Archive] Private Screening of "Mi Familia" with Gregory Nava, Part 3 of 4

Manuel F. Medrano and Gregory Nava

This video is a continued question-and-answer session and interview with Gregory Nava after a private screening of his film \Mi Familia\ at the 1996 Social Sciences Symposium in Brownsville, Texas. Nava discusses the reception of his films in Mexico, his inspirations, and the importance of Latino representation in Hollywood.
[LDV Project Archive] Private Screening of "Mi Familia" with Gregory Nava, Part 4 of 4

Manuel F. Medrano and Gregory Nava

This video is a continued interview with Gregory Nava after a private screening of his film \Mi Familia\ at the 1996 Social Sciences Symposium in Brownsville, Texas. Nava discusses mentorship, his family, and working with actors.
[LDV Project Archive] Reading by Novelist Rolando Hinojosa-Smith, April 11, 1995, Part 1 of 2.

Manuel F. Medrano and Rolando Hinojosa-Smith

This video contains a reading by Dr. Rolando Hinojosa-Smith from his published works. Audience members ask questions about his writing experience and process.
[LDV Project Archive] Reading by Novelist Rolando Hinojosa-Smith, April 11, 1995, Part 2 of 2.

Manuel F. Medrano and Rolando Hinojosa-Smith

This raw footage consists of audience members approaching Dr. Rolando Hinojosa-Smith after his reading to autograph their books.
[LDV Project Archive] Speech by Reynaldo Garza on Martin Luther King, Part 1 of 2

Manuel F. Medrano and Reynaldo F. Garza

Judge Reynaldo Garza talks about the situation of Mexican Americans in education. He emphasizes the role of Martin Luther King's work for the Mexican American population.
[LDV Project Archive] Speech by Reynaldo Garza on Martin Luther King, Part 2 of 2

Manuel F. Medrano and Reynaldo F. Garza

Judge Reynaldo Garza answers questions from the public, and talks about segregation and integration of schools in Brownsville.
[LDV Project Archive] Textbook Hearing at the Texas State Board of Education / Frank and Mary Yturria: Stewards of the Land

Manuel F. Medrano, Maricela Flores, Lupita Ramirez, Tomas Gomez, Mary Yturria, and Frank Yturria

Compilation: A textbook hearing at the Texas State Board of Education, July 2002. Maricela Flores, who works at the University of Texas at Brownsville, talks about the role of women in society and their inclusion in textbooks. Lupita Ramirez, from the Colonia Cameron Park, discussed the need for greater representation of Mexican American people and culture in textbooks. Tomas Gomez talks about the lack of information of the pre-Colombian era and the influence of Latin America in the United States.

A documentary about Mary and Larry Yturria and their contributions to the South Texas area. Mr. and Mrs. Yturria talks about the influences in their life which led them to advocate for the conservation of wildlife in South Texas. Other interviewees include Richard Moore, Jim Chapman, Linda Laack, John Martin, and Larry Ditto.
[LDV Project Archive] Tour of Mercedes, Texas with Rolando Hinojosa-Smith, Part 1 of 3

Manuel F. Medrano and Rolando Hinojosa-Smith

This video consists of Dr. Rolando Hinojosa-Smith walking around his hometown Mercedes, Texas and discussing the town's history.
[LDV Project Archive] Tour of Mercedes, Texas with Rolando Hinojosa-Smith, Part 2 of 3

Manuel F. Medrano and Rolando Hinojosa-Smith

This video consists of Dr. Rolando Hinojosa-Smith walking around his hometown Mercedes, Texas and visiting schools he attended.
[LDV Project Archive] Tour of Mercedes, Texas with Rolando Hinojosa-Smith, Part 3 of 3

Manuel F. Medrano and Rolando Hinojosa-Smith

This video consists of Dr. Rolando Hinojosa-Smith walking around the cemetery in his hometown Mercedes, Texas and identifying his family members.
[LDV Project Archive] Tour of Rancho Lomitas Native Plant Nursery with Benito Treviño, Part 1 of 5

Manuel F. Medrano and Benito Treviño

Part 1 of 5 of Benito Treviño's tour of Rancho Lomitas Native Plant Nursery, which he owns. On the tour, Treviño highlights Indigenous practices, flaura, fauna, and wildlife.
[LDV Project Archive] Tour of Rancho Lomitas Native Plant Nursery with Benito Treviño, Part 2 of 5

Manuel F. Medrano and Benito Treviño

Part 2 of 5 of Benito Treviño's tour of Rancho Lomitas Native Plant Nursery, which he owns. On the tour, Treviño highlights Indigenous practices, flora, fauna, and wildlife.
[LDV Project Archive] Tour of Rancho Lomitas Native Plant Nursery with Benito Treviño, Part 3 of 5

Manuel F. Medrano and Benito Treviño

Part 3 of 5, Benito Treviño continues his tour of Rancho Lomitas Native Plant Nursery, which he owns. On the tour, Treviño highlights Indigenous practices, flora, fauna, and wildlife. Treviño is then interviewed where he remembers his grandparents, how he learned to use the land, attending the University of Texas at Austin, changing his career, and shares some of his knowledge of the flora and fauna surrounding him.
[LDV Project Archive] Tour of Rancho Lomitas Native Plant Nursery with Benito Treviño, Part 4 of 5

Manuel F. Medrano and Benito Treviño

Part 4 of 5 of Benito Treviño's oral history. Treviño continues to share his knowledge of the flora and fauna that surrounds him, which Indigenous communities used for medicine, food, and other purposes. Treviño also names non-native plants brought from Spain. Treviño's tour of the Rancho Lomitas Native Plant Nursey continues.
[LDV Project Archive] Tour of Rancho Lomitas Native Plant Nursery with Benito Treviño, Part 5 of 5

Manuel F. Medrano and Benito Treviño

Part 5 of 5 of Benito Treviño's tour of Rancho Lomitas Native Plant Nursery and oral history. The tour ends with food samples prepared by Treviño and his family using resources found in the nursery. The video cuts to a presentation by Manuel Medrano about the Los Del Valle project. The presentation is followed by a musical performance.