Southwestern Mission Research Center

06/04/2026

On June 25, 2026, at the National Hispanic Cultural Center (NHCC) historian Virginia Sanchez will be debuting her new book La Cebolla Valley: A History. As part of the HLA Herencia Series: Author Reading and Book Signing, will discuss how more than 160 years ago, the early settlers of La Cebolla Valley arrived and put down roots that would flourish into a lasting legacy. Freight wagons and travelers passed through the land, an integral piece of the Mora–Las Vegas Trail, bringing with them cultures and traditions that lived on in the people who stayed. Through perseverance and dedication, they built the Acequia de San José and the Acequia de La Isla, which have known nearly two centuries of use, and transformed a small natural pond into Morphy Lake. With the help of the documents in the Agapito Abeyta Sr. Collection, a windfall discovered in a barn, historian Virginia Sánchez brings to light the cultural heritage of La Cebolla Valley’s inhabitants.
This free event will be held from 6:30 to 8:00 pm in the HLA Salon Ortega at NHCC, located at 1701 4th Street SW
Albuquerque, NM 87102. For more information and to register, go to https://nhccnm.org/event/hla-herencia-series-author-reading-and-book-signing-with-virginia-sanchez/.

Scholar and historian, Virginia Sánchez, is debuting her new book La Cebolla Valley: A History with us at the NHCC! More than 160 years ago, the early settlers of La Cebolla Valley arrived and put down roots that would flourish into a lasting legacy. Freight wagons and travelers passed through the ...

06/04/2026

A recent article by BBC's Eliot Stein, tells the remarkable story of Estevanico (aka Esteban the Moor), an enslaved Moroccan man who became one of the earliest and most important explorers of North America. In 1527, Estevanico joined a Spanish expedition to the Americas led by Panfilo de Narváez - an expedition plagued by disasters, including hurricanes, starvation, attacks, and shipwrecks. Of roughly 600 men who began the journey, only four survived: three Spaniards and Estevanico. After washing ashore near present-day Texas in 1528, the survivors spent years living among Indigenous peoples.

Despite his status as an enslaved man, Estevanico's linguistic abilities, cultural adaptability, and survival skills made him the group's leader. He learned Native languages, served as a translator and mediator, and helped guide the survivors across thousands of miles of unfamiliar territory. Between 1528 and 1536, he completed what is widely considered the first recorded crossing of North America, traveling from Florida across the Gulf Coast to the Pacific coast of Mexico—nearly three centuries before the expedition of Lewis and Clark.

Stein's article argues that Estevanico was one of the most extraordinary yet overlooked figures in early American history. As an African, Arabic-speaking Muslim who was neither conqueror nor conquered, he occupies a unique place in the story of North America. His journeys reshaped European understanding of the continent and challenge traditional narratives about who the first great explorers of what became the United States were.

SMRC thanks Dr. Hsain Ilahiane, Professor at the University of Arizona's School of Middle Eastern and North African Studies, who kindly shared this "recent BBC piece on Estevanico de Dorantes, the remarkable Moroccan explorer whose journey in the 16th century across North America continues to reshape how we think about the early Atlantic world and the American Southwest." Dr. Ilahiane was also interviewed by journalist Eliot Stein for the article.

Link to BBC article: https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20260527-estevanico-the-african-explorer-who-crossed-north-america

Map Caption: Estevanico was the de facto leader of what is believed to be the first recorded crossing of North America in history (Credit: Serenity Strull)

05/01/2026

During the 2026 Corrales Historical Society Speaker Series, State Historian Rob Martinez will discuss "Casta: Race & Identity in Colonial New Mexico." This free lecture will be held on Sunday, May 24, 2026 at 2:00 pm at the Historic Old San Ysidro Church, located at 966 Old Church Road, Corrales, NM. Martinez will examine how racial mixing played a part in influencing and shaping colonial society. Historical research, genealogy, and DNA converge to provide a clearer understanding of Hispano roots in New Mexico and in Latino-Meso-America and Hispanic Europe. For more information go to corraleshistory.org.

04/21/2026

On Monday, May 11, 2026, from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm (Mountain Standard Time), you are invited to tune into a discussion of research findings from the Jay I. Kislak Collection at the University of Miami Libraries. Join the collections' research fellow Claire Lavarreda as she presents her research on Indigenous labor, expertise, and intellectual authority in the production of Catholic texts in New Spain from 1570 to 1810. Her forthcoming dissertation uses a book history approach to show how Catholic works functioned as sites of blended epistemologies, shaped not only by European clerics but also by the Indigenous artists, scribes, translators, and printers who materially created, revised, and circulated them.

During her residency with the Kislak Collection, Lavarreda focused on a chapter of her dissertation that examines woodcuts and copperplate engravings in Marian texts to trace Indigenous artistic contributions and visual influences. She will highlight two items from the Kislak Collection that were especially valuable to her research: Francisco de Florencia’s “La Estrella De El Norte de Mexico” (1688) and “La Milagrosa Invención de un Tesoro Escondido” (1683).

Claire Lavarreda is a Ph.D. candidate at Northeastern University specializing in book history and Indigenous studies. She earned a B.A. in history and social sciences from Eastern Connecticut State University in 2021, and an M.A. in public history from Northeastern University in 2023.

Following the presentation, there will be a Q&A with the online audience. To register, go to https://www.eventbrite.com/e/kislak-fellows-in-review-presented-by-claire-lavarreda-tickets-1987683506876?aff=oddtdtcreator

04/20/2026

On Saturday, June 6, 2026, join Old Pueblo Archaeology Center's “Tucson’s Historic Sonoran Row Houses plus Bonus Hopi Clay Creations Tour” with historic architect R. Brooks Jeffery and archaeologist Allen Dart. This tour, which is a collaboration with Old Pueblo Archaeology Center and Tucson Museum of Art (TMA), will be held from 10:00 am-12:00 pm, and will begin at the TMA's Mooney Hall located at 140 N. Main Ave, Tucson, AZ. Segment 1 of this two-part tour highlights some of the iconic, historic homes in downtown Tucson’s Historic Block, some now used as museum spaces and others for private businesses. The focus – all cool ones in Tucson’s June heat! – will include La Casa Cordova and the historic Romero, Fish, Stevens/Duffield, and Corbett houses. A bonus after the Historic Block visit is a return to the museum for tour segment 2 to view some of the Hopi Indian art holdings from TMA’s permanent Indigenous Arts collection. The Hopi art on display includes exquisite ancient and historical pottery as well as some carvings and sculptures. After viewing the Hopi exhibit, tour registrants are welcome to browse the rest of TMA’s galleries and gift shop, and to consider having lunch on their own dime in the Stevens House Café à la C'Art, known for its American bistro fare, full bar, espresso, and a beautiful Monet-inspired garden patio. R. Brooks Jeffery is a Professor Emeritus of Architecture and former Associate Vice President for Research at the College of Architecture, Planning and Landscape Architecture at the University of Arizona. Coleader Allen Dart, a professional archaeologist, is Old Pueblo’s executive director. A TMA docent will accompany the tour to provide access to the historic houses managed by TMA. There is a requested donation of $30 per person ($24 for Old Pueblo Archaeology Center members), which includes $15/person TMA entry fee and supports Old Pueblo’s education programs about archaeology and traditional cultures. Registration and prepayment due 10 days after reservation request or by 5 pm Wednesday June 3, whichever is earlier. To register or for more information contact Old Pueblo at [email protected] or 520-798-1201. If you would like to have a flyer emailed to you with color photos of the above-listed activity send an email to [email protected] with “Send June 6 flyer” in your email subject line.
Caption for photo below: Stevens-Duffield House in Tucson Historic Block

04/20/2026

The Arizona Historical Society is hosting an installment of virtual program series, Arizona Histories, American Stories, celebrating Arizona's role in 250 years of American History. SMRCers may be particularly interested in the next presentation on "Southwestern National Monuments: The Early Years" to be given by Will Moore. The Southwest is home to some of the earliest and most interesting of the National Park Service national monuments. These sites – preserved for their scientific and historic value – include cliff dwellings, Spanish missions, petroglyphs, giant cactus, and natural bridges. Beginning early in the last century, one man – Frank Pinkley – was superintendent for the entire system of thirty Southwestern national monuments. This free presentation will be held Wednesday, April 22, 2026 at 12:00 pm. To register go to https://prod5.agileticketing.net/websales/pages/ticketsearchcriteria.aspx?evtinfo=589580~5ac2ccc1-54af-4b64-ae9b-7b0df253cfe3&.

04/13/2026

SMRC congratulates Dr. Kelly Jenks who was named the inaugural recipient of the "Don W. Cleveland Award for Outstanding Scholarship, Teaching, or Service" in the College of Arts and Sciences at New Mexico State University (NMSU), where she has served on the faculty since 2015. The award recognizes Dr. Jenks’ outstanding leadership of the University Museum, her ongoing research program – the Cañón de Carnué Archaeological Project – and her many other contributions to service and education at NMSU. She is also a long-time SMRC member and has served as a guide on some of SMRC’s tours, having shared her expertise in historical archaeology and Spanish colonial history of New Mexico. Our warmest congratulations to Dr. Jenks!

04/01/2026

LOS CALIFORNIANOS INVITES YOU TO THE CELEBRATION OF THE 250TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE 1776 JUAN BAUTISTA DE ANZA EXPEDITION’S ARRIVAL AND FOUNDING OF THE PRESIDIO OF SAN FRANCISCO. This celebration will be held on Saturday, June 27, 2026, beginning at 10:00 am, at the San Francisco Presidio at Pershing Square. Festivities will include an entry procession, flag ceremonies, reenactors in period clothing, speeches, music, docent-led and self-guided tours, and a roll call naming the 240 men, women, and children who were on the 1776 Anza expedition. This anniversary celebration also commemorates the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the founding of the City of San Francisco. Los Californianos is a non-profit organization whose members descend from individuals of Hispanic ancestry who were residents of Alta California between 1769 and 1848 (https://loscalifornianos.org/purpose-history-and-logo-history/).

04/01/2026

Each March, the city of San Juan Capistrano celebrates the famed Return of the Swallows with a lively parade through the heart of town. True to tradition, the parade is entirely non-motorized, with participants traveling on horseback, in horse-drawn carriages, or on foot. This year’s event took place on March 21. This year holds a particular significance. It marks the 250th anniversary of the signing of the United States Declaration of Independence, the founding of Mission San Juan Capistrano, and the historic Juan Bautista de Anza Expedition to California. In recognition of these milestones, the SJC 250 Anniversary Committee was formed. As part of the commemoration, the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail Honor Guard was invited to participate in events held throughout the city from March 20 through March 22. Seventeen Anza Riders and accompanying trail reenactors journeyed from Arizona and Riverside County, California. Dressed in period attire, they spent an afternoon at the local Boys & Girls Club, engaging children in hands-on activities inspired by the Anza Trail, including shield-making, cattle roping, and crafting corn husk dolls. The following day, the Anza Honor Guard and reenactors brought the parade to a memorable close as the grand finale of the 2026 Swallows Day Parade. Their involvement extended beyond the parade. On the following day, Juan Bautista de Anza—portrayed by Bill Islas—along with a soldier and three female reenactors, delivered a presentation to more than 100 community members. Islas was joined by his daughters, Isabella Islas and Julianna Islas. The soldier was portrayed by Dennis Carlos, accompanied by his wife, Socorro Carlos. The Anza contingent added a rich and meaningful historical dimension to this year’s festivities, deepening the community’s connection to its heritage and bringing history vividly to life.

Photo below by Art Hernandez Photography

04/01/2026

On Wednesday, April 15, 2026, Monterey State Historic Park will host a free talk by David Rickman titled “Outfitting the Expedition: The Dress and Equipment of the Anza Party 1775-1776.” This presentation will be held at 6:00 pm at California's First Theater in Monterey, CA. Between 1775 and 1776, Juan Bautista de Anza led an expedition of 240 settlers including women and children from New Spain, which is now Mexico, into California and up to San Francisco to establish a mission and a presidio. On March 10, 1776, the Anza Expedition arrived in Monterey on horseback, mule and foot before heading north. The whole 1,200-mile journey opened California up for Spanish colonization and is now commemorated by the National Park Service’s Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail. The talk will take a close look at what the expedition members wore, what they carried, and how they rode, based on original documents and images from the time. For more information, go to https://www.oldmonterey.org/event/2026/04/free-talk-outfitting-anza-expedition-1775-76