Nuevo Mexico Profundo Interview Series: Weto and Barbara Malisow

We present an interview by Frank Graziano with Weto and Barbara Malisow, as part of an oral biography project conducted by Nuevo Mexico Profundo, gathering a cross section of personalities and histories from New Mexico.

Over time, the oral histories will be archived for access by researchers and general interest. The Historic Santa Fe Foundation will post individual interviews periodically, and will notify you through our 545 blog, with links to access.

This history is another cross section of life in New Mexico, and a joy to listen to. The interview with Weto and Barbara Malisow is conducted by Frank Graziano, founder of Nuevo Mexico Profundo who writes:

Barbara and Weto arrived in New Mexico during the hippy movement, Barbara from New York and Weto from Minnesota, both in 1972. In many ways they were pioneers of the non-hispanic white people who later migrated to the state, and their apparent strength of character developed through experiences reminiscent of homesteading. There is a decidedly New Mexican quality to their sense of perseverance, solidarity, and kind-hearted generosity. Among the topics they discuss are interactions with other hippies and with local residents, experiences at a commune, raising children in a Taos County valley with difficult access and few amenities, an annual pie party that has been a tradition for decades (like the annual hippy vs. Picuris baseball game), and a drug bust. — Frank Graziano

About Nuevo Mexico Profundo
Nuevo Mexico Profundo is the venture that conducts tours of New Mexico churches on the High Road, in the mountain villages, at pueblos, to raise money for the repair and restoration of these churches so important to the communities where they reside. Profundo is a collaboration started by Frank Graziano and supported by the Historic Santa Fe Foundation, Spanish Colonial Arts Society, Cornerstones Community Partnerships, New Mexico Historic Preservation Division, the Office of the New Mexico State Historian, and the New Mexico Heritage Preservation Alliance. Given the conditions of the ongoing health crisis, tours and events planned by Profundo have been canceled for the year. This program of interviews and recording histories was put into action according to social distancing and health regulations. You can learn more about Nuevo Mexico Profundo at nuevo-mexico-profundo.com.