Browse by Category

Interviews conducted by the Oral History Program are based on a standardized list of questions (called a protocol) arranged in major interview categories. Select a category to see interviews and the interview protocol for that category.

Founders

Ake, Dorothy "Tudy"

Briefly describes her personal history. The majority of the interview describes her and her late husband's involvement with the establishment of the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum.

Bidegain, Yetta

Mrs. Bidegain is a member of a New Mexico ranching family and served on both the Museum Foundation and the Musuem Board. At the time of the interview she was a member of the State Museum Board. Mrs. Bidegain discusses her early years and ancestry and her participation in the Museum's founding.

Bolack, Tommy

Briefly describes his personal history. The majority of the interview describes his work in founding the New Mexico Farm and Ranch heritage Museum and his tenure on the Museum Board.

Bond, Frank M.

Briefly describes his personal history. The majority of the interview describes his tenure on the Board of the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Foundation (NMF& RHF). He also served as a legal representative for the Foundation.

Cervantes, Emma Jean

Cervantes family chile operation in La Mesa, New Mexico area.

Clemmons, Jenny

Dr. Clemmons, who has a doctoral degree in counseling psychology, was an early member of the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Foundation Board. Mrs. Clemmons has worked as registrar at Eastern New Mexico University and as a consultant training student teachers. The Clemmonses have managed the family ranch—in her family since 1906—since her father's death in 1971.

Clemmons, John

Dr. Clemmons, who has a doctoral degree in counseling psychology, was an early member of the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Foundation Board. Mrs. Clemmons has worked as registrar at Eastern New Mexico University and as a consultant training student teachers. The Clemmonses have managed the family ranch—in her family since 1906—since her father's death in 1971.

Cox, Robert

A founder of the New Mexico Farm and Heritage Museum and his background.

Davis, L. E. (Pete)

Personal history is followed by a discussion of his work with the Farm Bureau and the founding of the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum (NMF&RHM).

Davis, Linda

The first part of the interview deals with personal and family history. Her mother was a pioneer public health nurse in New Mexico. Her father was Albert Mitchell, ranch and manager of the Bell Ranch. The last half of the interview details the consultant's role in the founding of the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum.

Dickson, Lana

Briefly discusses her personal history. The majority of the interview describes her involvement with the establishment of the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum.

Dunlap, Ralph

Ralph Dunlap discusses his family history of homesteading on the eastern plains of New Mexico after the turn of the century. He describes his work of 30 years (1952-1982) as County Agent in Lincoln County. He worked to improve apple and wool production, and in later years worked with youth programs (4-H) and economic development. He details his involvement, as a Foundation Board member, in the founding of New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum.

Eppers, Howard William "Bud"

Bud has been a lobbyist for the livestock industry for the state for twenty-five years. The Eppers Ranch is forty-five miles northwest of Roswell.

Evans, Max

Personal history and his role in the founding of the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum.

Foley, James

Briefly discusses his background from a ranching family in southeastern New Mexico. Details his involvement with the founding of the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum.

Forehand, Earl Ray

Forehand family history, including settlement in New Mexico. The interview also covers the consultant's work in founding the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum.

Funkhouser, Barbara

Briefly details childhood on a farm near Fairacres, N.M. The consultant's father died in 1936 and her mother continued to operate the farm with the help of hired labor. Discusses career as a journalist. The major portion of the interview details the founding of the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum.

Hackey, Ralph

Personal history and history of farming in the Mesilla Valley from 1923 to the present. Briefly discusses the consultant's involvement in the founding of the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum.

Jones, Bob

Deals principally with his involvement in the founding of the New Mexico Ranch and Heritage Museum beginning with his visit to the Ranching Heritage Center in Lubbock, Texas. It also covers how his family, beginning with his great-grandparents, came to this area.

McCalmont, Tom

Briefly describes his personal history. The majority of the interview describes his tenure as the first director of the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum.

McIlhaney, William

Discusses his work as a dairy farmer and changes in the dairy industry. He served as state president of the Farm Bureau and as a member of the State Fair Commission. The interview concentrates on his involvement with the founding of the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum. He served as the first president of the Heritage Institute Board.

McSherry, G. X.

After giving some background information on his and his wife's family histories and on his agricultural experience, most of the interview centers on his work as a state legislator, where he chaired the Agriculture Committee and wrote the legislation creating the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum.

Mocho, Peter

An interview with one of the Museum "founders". Also discusses his background briefly—sheep ranching in New Mexico and changes in that industry.

Pendelton, George "Lad"

Family history of the "Bootheel" area of New Mexico. The interview touches briefly on the consultant's role as a board member of the Farm & Ranch Heritage Institute.

Petty, Dale

Brief personal, family, and farm history. The majority of the interview details the consultant's work in founding the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum.

Price, Dudley

Details history of the Price family in the dairy business (beef cattle, farming) in West Texas and New Mexico. Also discusses the founding of the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum.

Riddle, Isabella E.

Brief biographical sketch of Mrs. Riddle, born of Irish immigrant parents, she was one of first 100 women appointed to the WAVES during World War II. She moved with her husband to Las Cruces in 1947. Talks briefly of conditions in Las Cruces upon her arrival. Interview focuses on her knowledge of Dr. Stephen's work in developing a heritage institute during the time they worked together at the Department of Agriculture from 1972 (when Dr. Stephens was appointed director) until her retirement in 1981.

Sanchez, Roland

Describes his early life growing up on a farm in Pueblitos, N.M., his decision to go into medicine, his involvement in raising Santa Gertrudis cattle, his pioneering in intensive grazing in the area, and his role in the founding of the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum.

Stalls, William D.

Briefly discusses personal history, and in more detail his involvement in the cattle industry as a cattle buyer. The majority of the interview focuses on the founding of the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum.

Stout, Paul

Details Paul Stout's service on the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Foundation, and briefly his family history and thoughts on technological innovations in farming.

Thal, Felicia

A brief summary of Thal's personal history. Primary focus of the interview is on her part in the founding of the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum.

Thomas, Gerald

Briefly discusses his personal and work history. The majority of the interview details the founding of the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Museum.

Torres, Henry

Torres discusses personal history including some information about his work as a brand inspector. He describes the impact of the drought of the 1990s and low cattle prices on cattle ranching. Discusses his involvement with the museum, its mission, and his vision of its development.

Vincente Jr., Joe

Vincente family arrival in New Mexico from the Basque area of Spain, cattle and sheep raising, and the founding of the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum.

Way, J. Edson

Discusses jobs as Director of the Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum (1992-1998) and head of the Office of Cultural Affairs (1998-2002).

White III, J. Phelps

Details the history of the Littlefield and White families and the establishment of farms and ranches in eastern New Mexico. Includes personal history and his association with the founding of the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum. Tape three is a discussion of prisoner of war labor on consultant's family's ranch and farm during World War II.

Wilbanks, Druella

Personal and family history of Taylor family, homesteaders in Eastern New Mexico in 1907. Discusses the consultant's involvement with the Cowbelles, including her role as state president of the organization, and her duties as a member of the New Mexico Farm & Ranch Heritage Foundation board of directors.

Yarbrough, John D.

Personal and local history is followed by a discussion of the founding of the New Mexico Farm and Ranch Heritage Museum.