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Hispanic Heritage Showcase-07-31-2015 1 Denton County HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH Hispanic Heritage Showcase Location: 1896 Room East Wall Intro Panel: Origins of Hispanic Heritage Month In 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson declared the week beginning September 15t' as National Hispanic Heritage Week, a week celebrating Hispanic culture, history, and their contributions to the United States of America. This cultural celebration was expanded in 1988 to what is now known as the Hispanic Heritage Month, extending from September 15 to October 15. While Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the American citizens who have come from various Hispanic backgrounds, it also coincides with the independence days of Mexico and several other Latin American countries. The Hispanic culture prides itself on family oriented principles and their desire to improve their community. The Denton County Office of History and Culture commemorates Hispanic Heritage Month by raising awareness of Hispanic culture and inspiring figures. 11 f �..�. or Photo Label and Credit: Representative Henry Gonzalez of Texas meets with President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1968 at the White House. Courtesy of the National Archives and Records Administration Exhibit Script, 8/12/2024 2 Hispanic Beginnings in Texas History MANUEL LORENZO JUSTIANO DE ZAVALA Lorenzo de Zavala,born in Yucatan, Mexico in 1788, was a proud advocate of democratic ideals and a very active politician throughout the 1800's. Zavala began his career as the founder and editor of several newspapers supporting reconstitution towards a more democratic government in Mexico. After denouncing his position from Mexican president Santa Anna's ministry, he travelled to Texas only to become fascinated with Texas politics. His initial intentions of creating a Mexican Federalist government then shifted towards the cause for Texas independence. Thanks to his diplomatic and ministry expertise, he was instrumental in the drafting of the constitution of the Republic of Texas and qualified to be the first vice president of the Republic of Texas. ram. Courtesy ? Exhibit Script, 8/12/2024 3 JUAN NEPOMUCENO SEGUIN Juan Seguin was widely recognized for his political and military service in the Texas Revolution and the Republic of Texas. Born in San Antonio, Texas in 1806, Seguin commenced his early political career as an alderman in 1828 before serving as a political chief of the Department of Bexar in 1834. Subsequent of his political chief term, Seguin was appointed by Stephen F. Austin to lead a militia group of thirty-seven men. He and his assembly undertook search and supply operations for the revolutionary army in addition to their involvement in the assault on General Martin Perfecto de Cos and his army at San Antonio. Seguin served as a courier at the battle of the Alamo, and his company provided reinforcements for Sam Houston's army. After the Mexican army surrendered in 1836, Seguin continued his political path by serving the Second, Third, and Fourth Congress as the only Tejano in the Senate. Courtesy Texas State Preservation Board Exhibit Script, 8/12/2024 4 COOPER CREEK AND OAKWOOD CEMETERIES Established in 1878, the Cooper Creek Cemetery is located near Cooper Creek Baptist Church and is one of the few reminders of a rural community which dates back before the Civil War. Cooper Creek Cemetery did not segregate by race or religion and even the Villanueva family and Tiburcio Menchaca,who worked for the Menchaca family, lie next to their Anglo neighbors. The Cooper Creek Community still maintains the active cemetery today. The City of Denton established Oakwood Cemetery around the same time Denton became the new county seat in 1857. Many Hispanic families lie in the Oakwood Cemetery including Antonio, Braley, and Margarita Villanueva as well as Candida Menchaca. 7 Rudy Rodriguez and Ramiro Valdez explore Cooper Creek Cemetery, 2015. Courtesy Denton Record Chronicle Exhibit Script, 8/12/2024 S 1 Maria Contreras Dario Ortiz Tiburcio Menchaca May 5, 1916 January 11, 1885 July 3, 1920 Location: 1896 Room West Wall Hispanic Families of Denton County Intro Panel In the 1870s, very few Hispanic people lived in the Denton County. Most of them were "empresarios"who received land in exchange for inviting new settlers. By the 1920s, more families settled and became part of the Denton County community. These families lived primarily in Denton, Roanoke, Justin, Sanger, Slidell, and Bolivar. Some of them worked as restaurant owners, laborers, wood cutters, or ranch workers. The Hispanic families who settled in the Denton County maintained a strong connection with the community and retained an active role in supporting their neighbors through economic and social hardships. Exhibit Script, 8/12/2024 6 Intro Panel Photo: Antonio, Margarita, Ramona, and baby Tony Villanueva, before 1913. Courtesy? Ramirez Family The Ramirez family moved to Denton, Texas in the late 1950s during the rise of the Hispanic influx into Denton County. Clemente Ramirez worked as a rancher in Hunt County until he moved to Tioga in Grayson County where he worked for the Texas &Pacific Railway. Clemente, also known as Mike, lived with his wife Pearl Garza Ramirez who was born in California. Pearl and Clemente had six children: Juan"John", Joba"Jovita", Tonnie, Amelia"Molly", Rosa "Rosita", and Victoria"Vicky". Pearl died in 1949. In 1957, Clemente moved his family to Denton where he retired after completing 35 years working for the railroad. Exhibit Script, 8/12/2024 7 CU or c oN CATHOLIC W r _s Clemente Ramirez with his daughter Rosita Ramirez and her husband James Ramirez, August 1963. Courtesy of Ramirez family (Both families were of the same last name and not kin.) VILLANUEVA FAMILY Generations of the Villanueva(Veanueva) family resided in Denton. Widower Antonio Villanueva married Margarita after she came to visit him from Mexico. They had eight children, three of their sons—Ben, Sam, and Braley—served war during World War II and the Korean War. Antonio was a business owner who worked with Juan Menchaca in his restaurant. Exhibit Script, 8/12/2024 8 \r 1 A- M wf r Villanueva Family, 1936. Courtesy ? MENCHACA FAMILY One of the earliest prominent Hispanic families recorded in the Denton County was the Menchaca family. Juan Menchaca owned a cafe on the South side of the Square in the 1920s. He also sold tamales from his business location and operated a cart. In 1932, Juan and his wife, Candida Menchaca, returned to Mexico and lived there until his death in 1940. Candida Galindo Menchaca was born in Cameron, Texas and lived in Denton before her death in 1978. Exhibit Script, 8/12/2024 9 r � i - JUAN MENCHACA c. 1920 Juan Menchaca, c. 1920. Courtesy ? Location: 3rd Floor Niche Cases (Case 3-1) GROUPS AND ORGANIZATIONS Like any big family, it is important to have a strong foundation and support network. Organizations like Familias Unidas (United Families),which later became League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC), and the Mexican-American Student Association(MASA) were some of the few groups where Hispanics from various backgrounds could rely on one another and spread awareness on Hispanic culture and heritage. Exhibit Script,8/12/2024 10 JOIITA M P—IFICACICN work Taxvv g.•lvge F tom Amwciation .'.2 de rabr.ro, 19g1 nenton.U.76— wIXUTY,.: '(h<vooting•.s opnnetl by F'rmk agvlla.SN tnc 1ntly due tio. Minutes-Junta de Planificacion page 2 or eho touo•ing.n..e enu YYmk I'atex a Tonni.RuSrez Joc.Lui aJF�rnand<zroTovn:Ycudaaz Steven Applewhite recommended that we not decide on which Jnb..-fr.. Rn.v Rmfret organization to Jain but rather study the issues, our Jmen emir<x atn.m nprl<•nit< feelin s and how we can briog ge both groups together. Davila Frenlc Mv11a xl<arao Cen ed g Ymeenln rvnco suggested that we complete the Cuestionario de Information ro No a.anuen nn co.heennr.r Hoed m xinpmlc orcmi- and carefully answer the questions on the questionnaire. •cum cn..e•bera.tenant tale h.t the need...evl dent Prior to the next meeting, the group is also to determine in ornion f.r a r<pre.antaelve or enlm.tial. efn.rdo cmtd what are some goals and problem areas of concern to each ...tlonea cho large 5_1W_Peehg a rornlvuov individual member. Tonnie Ramirez asked that we keep in repracmtalon ev.n Nmgh tna>.rs.nrcoa out througnouc mind the difference between the two organizations: LULAC h.<S ty. Tho tact hnt h.y are.. or a...not poaa w being aggressive organization whereas airs<uI e>.<roraing w Fr.wt rant. or.rdr.z.tm....a g e more visible and nbont me m<un<tion b.e.em e..iue.unra.e ma my nr. Families Uni des was a more passicve low-key organization. nrw+nl.auan,ucn..LULAC. Ta..ld m[cfa replla hnt Me This will require weechanges in our approach. re group of Fevuina unia...a..*et311 p.ttldpete 1n unim<a.:a vrima�iir onco�iwenu.iie ine san,�nii.1 If inenl.n The meeting was adjourned with the next meeting set for: Hon-!]Igllan np.eking chllar.n and in the ul rural.avelop.mL o .prorcunlu<s,afeenen nnitaton an..in go beyond ue.e Sunday March 8, 1981 Joba x,r1[ez man Cloned N.Hoalth need ea mdrFrmkrxevglptr.tion. ­kkm r f1bWe0w Al-r44- K-XGJ S4'✓i Asf�' ter ann I-o.I nklraiona ne<aa n<•an a ;Hesse 6:00 PM ry auuao.e In ra.ponne W Frank rar<x•e quea LSon nr.to•ho•e er.Cmtd roapopndaln Nel ue era Sndlvl anal.Snteredten in ohar people. or[hnr..p.nle Co.nunii���nconsanwer�eviinet 6oaiae ou�nctw Submitted by: Frank S. Davila, Jr. tt net in arse[to ptnceed.SN a eueeeastul progru. Jobe Hmfreza diaeveeadi et.eef.efeluentv.ndt thennaed for�nfo[te. effective mtl aggrecWva orgmt t.,. tv<ryono agreed that th< s�uignificmt o.to tilt 3LLu�xt 1t-1 eeeem ln.hO... tI, able to provide. nc comp Minutes from the February 22, 1981 Meeting Noting the Need for a Hispanic Organization in Denton. Courtesy Isabella Pina-Hinojosa, Ed.D., Denton LULAC Archive vH PLANIFICAClpN Pa.l.e Libevy .rcM1 B.1g81 pen n.Tx.'lANI / lAlNpe ..lease ma rntr.A�ctlrnc cram a eenEy De oea co seetln6)ae h.v.roar w Gosle and t�b]ac[Stec(ta include eouitteeu ter dlff..ne.) uni a or mo Ner r mix.uoojrr.xmt(wine,Priu.e -elect no.in. eoriee..rot N..S.ruon or ettuern ...t teevgur.tl.ngdety r,aloum Le cna c..nt.r�eta.dmev< nuonerio rfnnr .pr p.r.r ro) oFl.t Breen)a rincluet.o 3oe c..iee. cur s.rm.ant r.r dr.Hipp !ul .e IlnSaa.a otr.)e'n rune n rarre.enter(L.L . eimin':�r.��ioa°.nw.as a ciao r.rmeea cm- Agenda for Organizational Meeting, March 8, 1981, Emily Fowler Library, Denton, Texas. Courtesy Isabella Pina-Hinojosa, Ed.D., Denton LULAC Archive Exhibit Script, 8/12/2024 11 XpCPAxpM A: The Person Ada....d FPUx: Frank s.De'vS1E:Jr.4 Toscea Owcia NxJ: CrgNmlzetiovel Xaetleg r Ne League of Uvitea La Nn erlcm CS tlzav¢(LULAC) UATg: April 1,Igxi m eflvge,the c of Ndee m sting (20,rat dittereo[t ea)Sa tbat•LULAC cb eptar application evbmittatl a dive o prll 9,Iyg1, qb ao eo t loser t n(10)Inalvl Hale to eppl>. ITe coat breeRtlom ter Ne east of tee calevaer>e ,Ie ae fotlomn: Mvusl Wae Indtneual National Wea(Ap—c) {9. tndlviduel St to Wee(Apt 0 2.25 lvdividuel Ivltlativn Fee(oec Live) 4— f 15.25 {Iz.UD Cberfar Poa fo ba pai b>orgmlzatlpn. eck Net> cry etf�rt tp a mtl N brlvg y due¢m1N yeu.0 Pour eppllcetivv f n millab made evaileblar Sol mgnatp:¢. oN<r a.aeum.p.re.imos m arNly,fauesr progrm,sarong oNere,mill be prondetl, Covo to Na meetivg: Data: Thur dtl 1,—9,1961 Tine: g:.p... aily Fo :,Librar> SDL Ceklm WnNv,1...76.1 Memorandum Regarding Charter Application for the Denton Chapter of the League of United Latin American Citizens, April 1, 1981. Courtesy Isabella Pina-Hinojosa, Ed.D., Denton LULAC Archive (Case 3-2) MEXICAN-AMERICAN STUDENT ASSOCIATION Best known as a student activist group, the Mexican-American Student Association, or MASA, was founded in 1974 to increase Mexican—American culture throughout the campus of North Texas State University(now UNT). They worked with the Center for Ethnic Affairs to attend to the minority students at NTSU. They also helped benefit the community by organizing a Christmas event for the neighborhood children. They later became Mexican American Student Organization (MASO) in 49-84- 1975 and the Hispanic Students in Higher Education in 1989. From 1999 to today, the organization has been known as Latin American Students or ALAS. Exhibit Script, 8/12/2024 12 Alexis is contacting the group to obtain items. YOU FOUND ONE—attaching photo. 1. ►/ ap 1' E j MASO 1977 spring dance Washington, DC Protest April 1977 Latinos across nation protest for President Jimmy Carter to name Latinos to his cabinet. Courtesy, Isabella Piiia-Hinojosa, Ed.D. NTSU MASO Archive. Protest led by Archbishop Patricio Flores of San Antonio (photo by Herlinda Trevino) Courtesy, Isabella Pina-Hinojosa, Ed.D.,NTSU MASO =Y Archive � � I (Case 3-3) FAMILIAS UNIDAS A group of Hispanic Dentonites founded Familias Unidas in the 1970s as an organization where the Hispanic people created an accepting environment while serving the Denton County community. They awarded Hispanic high school students with scholarships and grants to attend college or university. The organization eventually merged became the Denton League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) and to this day it is still an active organization benefiting the Denton County community. Exhibit Script,8/12/2024 13 .......... Location: 1st Floor Niche Cases (Case 1-1) Artifact: Pearl Ramirez' dress and shoes. Courtesy Joba Ramirez This dress belonged to Pearl Garza Ramirez who was born in California and lived in Tioga, Texas. She died in 1949 before her family moved to Denton. Please visit the third floor to learn more about the Ramirez Family and Denton County's Hispanic Heritage. Photograph of Pearl Ramirez, c. 1935 (Case 1-2) Artifact: Clemente Ramirez' shirt. Courtesy Joba Ramirez Exhibit Script, 8/12/2024 14 This shirt was worn by Clemente Ramirez who worked for the Texas and Pacific Railroad while living in Tioga, Texas. In 1957, he moved with his family to Denton. Please visit the third floor to learn more about the Ramirez Family and Denton County's Hispanic Heritage. -En RAMIREZ C.19x Photograph of Clemente Ramirez, c. 1950 (Case 1-3) Artifact: Braley Villanueva's Military Jacket. Donated by Rod Fleming. This Army jacket was worn by Braley Villanueva during the Korean War. Several Hispanic residents of Denton County proudly served in the military during World War II and the Korean War. Please visit the third floor to learn more about the Villanueva Family and Denton County's Hispanic Heritage. _w Photograph of Braley Villanueva during the Korean War Exhibit Script, 8/12/2024 15 (Case 1-4) Poster of Denton County Hispanic Heritage Month Calendar of Events To be designed by Joe Duncan, OHC Curator of Exhibits NOTES: We have room for other two dimensional items on the 3rd floor. These could include Willie Lopez' portraits or other paintings. Exhibit Script, 8/12/2024