MHM Historical Lecture Series

April 16th, 11:00 am – 1:00 pm

MISSION HISTORY BY MISSION COMMUNITY: The Mission Historical Museum continues its series of historical lectures to help tell the story of our early Mission. Join MHM Saturday, April 16, at 11:00AM with local history enthusiast, Amancio J. Chapa Jr., as he takes us through one family’s journey from Italy to our town of Mission, TX. Mr. Chapa’s presentation “The Historical Legacy of Juan Bautista Chapa” will provide an oral history on his lineage dating back from the mid sixteenth century in Albisola, Italy to present day Mission. The family’s journey spans through the northern movement of Spain through Mexico and up to the trials and experiences of an early family in South Texas as times changed in Mission. Amancio Chapa is a graduate of the University of Texas, Austin, husband to Cecilia Guerra and father of four children. He is a former Mayor of the City of La Joya and served 22 years as a Trustee of La Joya ISD and 10 years as the Director of Fine Arts. Mr. Chapa is President-Elect of the Mission Historical Museum, Inc.; Long time member and former President of Las Porciones Genealogical and Historical Society; Vice President of Texas Folk Life; Member of the Special Acquisitions Advisory Comm. for the Border Collections at the UTRGV Library; Former Board Member of the National Council of La Raza and Member of Hidalgo County Historical Commission. Amancio’s historical interests specialize in US – Mexico War, Discrimination against Mexican-Americans in Texas and the Valley, and the History of Western Hidalgo County.