Latinos in Western Michigan collection

Collection

Identifier: Collection 321

Staff Only

Abstract

This collection includes materials gathered to document the Latin American community in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It includes newspaper clippings, photographs and oral histories. The material documents area Latino culture, work, family life and some festival celebrations. Also included are histories of the Latin American community and population data.

Dates

no date

Biographical / Historical

This collection includes materials gathered during the late 1990s as part of a joint initiative by several Grand Rapids, Michigan area institutions to document the Latin American community in the area. From this initiative a video tape “Voces Latinas/Latino Voices” was created by Grand Valley State University. Oral histories and photographs of representatives of the community were taken and additional research materials were gathered, with plans for an exhibit. An event was held on September 12, 1997, to communicate the project. A website at Grand Valley documents the initial project.

Much of this material was used in school curriculum packets for Kent County School District 5th Grade Michigan History curriculum, created circa 2000-2002.

Extent

3 Linear Feet (Seven boxes)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Various and unknown donors, including accession numbers 1998.100, 1997.021 and 2004.077.20.

Related Materials

Two Hispanic newspapers, including La Voz, are located in Coll. 259, the GRPL Newspapers Collection. Some years are available on microfilm, with later issues available in paper.

Coll. 292, Hispanic Oral History Collection.