Alfonso Vazquez Collection

Collection

Identifier: MSS 0093

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection contains photographs and newspaper clippings of the Mexican American community in Houston in the 1950s to 1970s. Much of the collection relates to political events and social movements and includes organizations and figures such as the Political Association of Spanish-Speaking Organizations (PASO), La Raza Unida Party, the American G. I. Forum, the Minimum Wage March of 1966, and more.

View digitized photographs on the Houston Public Library Digital Archive

Dates

Creation: 1958 - 1979

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Biographical Note

Alfonso Vazquez was born on April 22, 1922 in Laredo, Texas. He was a photographer in Houston for over 30 years at Braeswood Vazquez Photography and became the first Mexican American elected President of the Photographers Guild of Houston. Vazquez was a member of the Civic Action Committee, established in 1958 as an organization to support the candidacy of State Senator Henry B. Gonzalez for Governor of Texas. He was also an artist and published many political cartoons in the local papers. Vazquez passed away on April 18, 2016 in Webster, Texas at the age of 93.

Extent

0.5 Linear Feet (1 box and 3 posters)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Acquisition Information

Donated by: Alfonso Vazquez in 1978 with additions in 1987.

Existence and Location of Copies

Collection has been partially digitized and is available on the Houston Public Library Digital Archive.

Separated Materials

Some materials donated by Alfonso Vazquez at the same time as this collection may have been separated to RG E 0015, Political Association of Spanish-Speaking Organizations (PASO).