Minnesotanos
Mexicanos, produced by Kathleen Laughlin and Donald Morstad.
St. Paul, Minn.: The Club, 1978.
Viedocasette, 61 min.
A documentary in which Minnesotans of Mexican heritage are shown in schools, at work, in religious and social environments, and in the political arena. Includes a brief history of Mexico up to the period (shortly after 1848) when Mexicans began migrating northward in their search for work. Emphasizes the importance of preserving the Mexican culture, which has existed in Minnesota almost 100 years. Also deals with contemporary issues such as bilingual education and migrant workers.
MNHS call number: Film A-64
Diary: Hispanic Minnesotans, produced by Jayne Solinger.
St. Paul, Minn: KTCA-TV, c1992.
Videocassette, 60 min.
This video recording explores what life is like for those of Hispanic origin who have made Minnesota their home. Includes interviews with migrant workers, descendants of migrant workers and recent immigrants.
MNHS call number: Videotape 412
Minnesota Living History: Irene Bethke
Osseo, Minn.: Independent School District No. 279, 1983
Videocassette, 14 min.
Bethke discusses her Hispanic heritage, her various jobs in social service and her present position as Minnesota’s Human Rights Commissioner.
MNHS call number: Videotape 137
Painting the Journey: John Acosta’s West Side Mural, produced by Lu Lippold.
Saint Paul, Minn: Office of Cable Communications, 1997.
Videocassette, 27 min.
The film documents the painting of a wall mural by John Acosta, who was commissioned by the Science Museum of Minnesota to paint a mural for a Mexican arts exhibit held at the museum in 1996. The mural depicts the historical journey of Mexicans from the landing of Cortez and defeat of Montezuma to a contemporary Mexican neighborhood in St. Paul, Minn. Residents of St. Paul’s West Side neighborhood were used by the artist as models for various characters in the mural and a few of them recall their youth and describe the area before it was destroyed as part of urban renewal.
MNHS call number: Videotape 856
Mexican Independence Parade, 1970-1971
Videocassette, 5 min.
Footage of the annual Independence Day parade in St. Paul, Minn. including floats, marching groups, bands and spectators. Beginning of reel includes footage of a press conference with a Mexican official speaking about Mexican government.
MNHS call number: Film C-43
Our Lady of Guadalupe
Videocassette, 38 min.
A composite of film footage showing activities at Our Lady of Guadalupe, a Catholic church on the West Side of St. Paul, Minn., an area with a large Mexican American population. Footage includes many church processions and ceremonies, both inside and outside the church building, and the celebration of Rev. James A. Ward’s 25th anniversary of ordination in 1959.
MNHS call number: Film C-40
Mexican-American Oral History Project
These 74 interviews were conducted as part of the Minnesota Historical Society’s Mexican-American History Project. This project collected the historical resources of this ethnic group and includes personal papers, records of organizations, photographs, and other material.
MNHS call number: Digital Audio and Transcripts
In Search of a Better Life, produced by Greg Barron.
St. Paul: Minnesota Public Radio, 1974.
1 sound cassette, 60 min.
Program examines the Mexican-American community in St. Paul, Minnesota from its early settlement to current problems, including access to health care, unemployment, education, and problems arising from cultural and language differences.
MNHS call number: Audiotape 148
Música de la raza: Mexican & Chicano Music in Minnesota
St. Paul, MN: Minnesota Historical Society Press, 1999.
Sound disc, 70 min.
MNHS call number: Sound Disc 295-B
