Manuscripts
Mr. Huntington's Garden collection
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Copy negatives collection
Visual Materials
Copies of original photographs and other items in the Huntington Library's photograph collections. The copies were created by the Huntington's Photography Department approximately 1980s to 1990s. Also some copy transparencies (color) and black-and-white copy prints. Copy negatives are primarily 8 x 10 inches.
photCL 720
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John Villarreal interviewed by Dr. José Orozco
Manuscripts
John Villarreal devotes considerable time discussing his childhood in a migrant household (his parents came from Nava, Coahuila, Mexico), offering insights into such topics as bilingualism, work, and education. Because his family belonged to the Jehovah's Witnesses Villarreal discusses this aspect of his family life in detail. In addition he discusses his gay sexual identity and its impact on his family, and how his co-workers view his sexual identity. Villarreal discusses his job interview with Shadi Shihab, also a participant in this oral history program, for a position in Botanical and how Shihab helped him learn on the job. Villarreal also recounts how he transferred to the Rose Garden, and explains his work in this garden, especially his management of the extensive volunteer program upon which this part of Botanical relies to care for The Huntington's famed roses. He discusses social relationships of gardeners outside The Huntington and how the staff, which is mostly Latino, view their opportunities and place at The Huntington. Of note are Villarreal's comments on how staff who work in the gardens view those staff who work in offices. Besides Shadi Shihab, Villarreal also mentions Fred Brandt, long-time supervisor of the gardens. The length of the two interviews is approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes.
HIAoralhist