Ranchos, Regiments, and Reconnections: The Transformation of Californio Identity in Civil War California
The Civil War Era transformed the lives of many Americans; but, how, and why, was it a formative period for the Californios—the former Hispanic residents of Spanish, and Mexican, California? What did it mean for Californios to fight under Union, Confederate, and Mexican military forces; and, even in some cases find themselves fighting alongside a former enemy of the Mexican-American War? Why did Californios increasingly promote patriotic assemblies, celebrating Mexican and American nationalism, while both nations were in the midst of their own civil wars? Was this the beginning of California’s transnational Mexican-American identity, which is still present in California today? What was the Civil War’s impact on the earliest Hispanic Americans’ reaction to the age of increasing Anglo-American dominance? Brian Chavez will answer these question, and more. He will also show how Californios modified their identity to survive the rapid changes that occurred during the Civil War-Era, both in human and non-human control, which pushed them to seek new ways of asserting their role in the shaping of nineteenth-century American California. This is truly a unique presentation, showing us previously unexplored consequences of the Civil War. You will not want to miss it.

Mr. Brian Chavez
At the age of 15, Brian Chavez fell in love with local history and the American Civil War narrative, becoming one of the youngest volunteers at the Drum Barracks Civil War Museum. His enthusiasm and dedication as a volunteer, led to Brian’s hiring as paid staff, by the Los Angeles City Department of Recreation and Parks. In his decade of service at the Drum, he excelled at educating the general public on Los Angeles’ Civil War past, through tours, exhibits, and lectures. He was also building experience in historic sites and institutions, with an emphasis on museum education and collection management. Near completion of his formal education, Brian recently sought permanent employment, and was hired as the Gallery and Collections Coordinator, for the Historical Society of Long Beach. He continues to volunteer at local historic sites, such as Rancho Los Cerritos, and still helps out at the Drum Barracks. In 2015, Brian earned an A.A. in history from Long Beach City College. He went on to complete his B.A. in history, at the University of California, Los Angeles, in 2017, and is currently completing an M.A. in history, with an emphasis on early Mexican American communities in the borderlands of the American Southwest, from California State University, Long Beach.