This week, Spotlight Houston replays one of our most fascinating episodes, originally aired as Episode 25 on January 29, 2023. Host Blanca Quezada sits down with Mikaela Selley, program manager for the Periodicals in the US-Mexico Region Project at Arte Público Press. Mikaela talks about her work with the Recovering the US Hispanic Literary Heritage Program, where she and her team are digitizing 200 newspapers from the 1800s-1950s along the US-Mexico border. Thanks to a special grant, they are building a website to make these rare and historical newspapers accessible to researchers and the public.
Mikaela also shares captivating community stories found in these newspapers, from early feminist voices to unique perspectives on the Mexican Revolution. Beyond digitization, Mikaela discusses her role as an independent consultant, creating oral histories, cultural exhibits, and preserving heritage, emphasizing how important it is to maintain these stories for future generations.
Learn more at artepublicopress.com/recovery-program.
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Timestamps
[00:00] Clip
In this highlight, Mikaela Selley discusses how archives preserve community stories, particularly through the lens of bilingual music and historical projects in Houston’s Hispanic community.
[01:06] Introduction
Host Sandra Fernandez introduces this replay episode featuring archivist Mikaela Selley from Arte Público Press. The episode focuses on preserving Hispanic history by digitizing rare newspapers and archiving community stories.
[02:05] How Mikaela Selley Became an Archivist
Mikaela shares her journey into archiving, which began as a work-study student at the University of Houston. She describes how she found her passion for preserving Hispanic community history, eventually turning it into her career.
[04:21] Expanding the Hispanic Collections at Houston Public Library
Mikaela describes her work at the Houston Metropolitan Research Center, where she expanded the Hispanic Collection. She highlights the inclusion of oral histories from Hispanic veterans, an often overlooked part of history.
[06:58] Curating the Hispanic Music Exhibit in Houston
Mikaela recounts her work curating a 2019 exhibit on Hispanic music in Houston. She highlights the contributions of bilingual artists like Lydia Mendoza and explains the importance of showcasing women in the music industry.
[10:29] Digitizing Historical Newspapers from the US-Mexico Border
Mikaela talks about managing the Periodicals in the US-Mexico Border Region Project at Arte Público Press. She explains how her team is digitizing 200 rare newspapers from the 1800s to 1950s, making these archives publicly accessible.
[12:57] The Process of Digital Preservation
Mikaela explains the detailed process behind digitizing historical documents. From arranging newspapers chronologically to scanning and preserving them, she outlines the steps to making these archives accessible online.
[20:49] Family Legacy: The Story of Houston’s Gomez Tortillería
Mikaela shares the story of the Gomez family, who opened one of the first successful tortillerías in Houston. Their story reflects how food is key to cultural exchange and community development.
[23:31] Mikaela’s Work as an Archival Consultant
Mikaela discusses her role as an independent consultant, where she helps families and organizations preserve their histories. She offers services in archiving, exhibit design, and collection organization.
[25:04] Why Preserving Hispanic History Matters to Everyone
Mikaela emphasizes the broader importance of preserving Hispanic history, explaining that these stories are integral to understanding the American experience and should be accessible to all.
[27:58] Outro: Thank You and Tune In Again
Host Blanca Quezada closes the episode by thanking Mikaela for sharing her stories and inviting listeners to join future episodes of Spotlight Houston.
