During its annual Day of the Cowboy celebration, Old Cowtown Museum, 1865 W Museum Blvd., will host “The Vaqueros,” a presentation by Gene T. Chávez. At 12:15 p.m. on Saturday, July 24, the discussion will be part of Cowtown’s Day of the Cowboy event, an annual celebration of the workers who created the American West and their impact on the history of Wichita.
The ancestors of the American Cowboy, Vaqueros were traditional Spanish horse-mounted livestock herders. As American settlers moved west and tended to large herds of cattle, they adopted the methods of the Vaqueros. This presentation highlights the culture of the Vaquero and their unique influence on the tradition of the cowboy.
"Hispanic culture has influenced our way of life in so many ways,” Chavez said. "It is important to understand the contributions Hispanics have made to Kansas and to the nation.”
Gene Chávez is the founder and president of Chávez and Associates. He consults with groups throughout the country on bilingual education and cultural diversity. In addition, he has taught at the secondary and post-secondary levels in Kansas and other states.
“The Vaqueros” is part of Humanities Kansas's Movement of Ideas Speakers Bureau, featuring presentations and workshops designed to share stories that inspire, spark conversations that inform and generate insights that strengthen civic engagement.
