Tracking Migration: Mexicans and Mexican Americans in Ottawa County, 1920-1950

Why did Mexican immigrants first come to Holland in the early 1920s? What sort of welcome did they find upon their arrival? How did the experiences of Mexicans and Mexican Americans in Holland change over the first few decades of their settlement in Ottawa county? Tracking Migration: Mexicans and Mexican Americans in Ottawa County, 1920-1950, will answer these questions and more by analyzing the migration patterns of ethnic Mexicans in Ottawa County. It will draw upon genealogical sources, such as U.S. Census records, historical newspaper archives, oral history interviews and archival documents from the Holland Museum Collection. Through this research various aspects of Mexican and Mexican American life in the area will be highlighted including living conditions, occupations, residency, and education. The presentation will conclude with an analysis of the how Mexicans and Mexican Americans were racialized in Holland’s distinctive ethnic community.

Program Partner: Kutche Office of Local History at Grand Valley State University

Thursday, March 27, 2025
7:00-8:30 p.m.
Holland Museum
Free Adult Tales from the Archives Program
Registration is not required, but encouraged

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Donations appreciated

This program is part of the Holland Museum “Tales from the Archives” series which explores local history topics supported by the Holland Museum’s collection and archives.

Presenter Biographies

Nora Salas, Associate Professor of History

Dr. Salas is an Associate Professor of History at Grand Valley State University. She comes to the position of Director with a rich background in community organizations. Her directorship of the Kutsche Office is a continuation of her commitment to helping diverse communities claim their place in West Michigan’s history. Dr Salas’ academic research examines the intersections of political thought, class, region, and gender on Chicano identity, along with changes in ethnic Mexican migrant labor in West Michigan from the 1980s to the present. Dr. Salas holds a PhD and MSW from Michigan State University and a BA from the University of Michigan. Dr. Salas has been the Director of the Kutsche Office of Local History since August 2021.

Sydney Nummerdor, Research Assistant

Sydney Nummerdor is a first-year student at Grand Valley State University majoring in Behavioral Neuroscience. She is from Clare, Michigan. Sydney joined the Kutsche Office as a student research assistant in October 2024 and mainly works on historical research as part of the Teaching West Michigan Histories Project.

Brooke Stewart, Research Assistant

Brooke Stewart is a junior at Grand Valley State University and is studying Group Social Studies and Secondary Education. She transferred to GVSU in the fall of 2023 from SVSU. She is from Taylor, Michigan, outside of the Metro Detroit area. Brooke joined the Kutsche Office as a student research assistant in October 2024 and mainly works on historical research as part of the Teaching West Michigan Histories Project.

Jaer Medina, Program Assistant at Cultureworks

Jaer Medina is an artist, educator, curator and community organizer based out of Holland, Michigan. His work blends midwestern Chicano culture and new media practices. Having graduated with a BA from the Visual and Media Arts Department at Grand Valley State University, Jaer is interested in photography, sculpture, and space-making. He believes art can be a tool to strengthen community bonds through cultural appreciation. He also runs a community-based art gallery out of his garage. The space serves as an incubator for emerging and established artists to curate art shows, lead workshops, host lectures, or simply hang out.