'Los Braceros' exhibit to become permanent staple in Monterey County

Heraclio Virgen and his wife Maria De Refugio Tavarez De Virgen held hands as they studied the "Los Braceros" exhibit at the Salinas Sports Complex.

The couple scanned the faces of the men, or "braceros," in the photographs. Heraclio wondered if he might find his own face in one of the images.

Braceros were Mexican laborers who were allowed to work in the U.S. as seasonal agricultural workers under the Bracero program, established in 1942. At the time, the U.S. was at war and in need of more people in the labor force. 

Six black and white photographs showed men in overalls, sombreros and vintage suits huddled together. The exhibit highlights the historic contribution that some of these farmworkers had on the Central Coast. 

Heraclio was emotional as he looked at the photos, remembering his days as a young Bracero in the 1960s.

Untold stories 

Like many others, Heraclio left his life in Mexico and joined the program in hopes that it would open doors to better opportunities and a better future. He worked the lettuce and tomato fields throughout Northern California and in Salinas, where he would ultimately start a family and a new life. 

"In those times, we loved our work," he said. "We blended with everyone from other cultures, the Japanese, Filipinos. We all worked together."

Maria was a young agricultural worker when she met Heraclio. She recalled their lives together on a ranch, where homes were provided for the workers.

"There we all were, always happy," she said. "We raised our daughters in that ranch for years and years. Salinas was just so beautiful."

Despite the happy times the couple spent working in the fields, the images came with sad memories of bracero life. 

Maria teared up as she recalled an incident known as the tragedy at Chualar. 

In 1963, a group of 32 bracero workers were killed when their bus load of 58 collided with a train in Chualar. It is described as one of the deadliest automotive accidents in U.S. history. 

Relatives of braceros also attended the exhibit to connect with their heritage. 

Supervisor Chris Lopez gazed at the enlarged images. His grandfather was a bracero.

He also had mixed feelings about the historic program. 

"We know there was something that happened with some of their money that got held aside in accounts," Lopez said. "They don't believe and I don't believe, given the history and what I've read, that they ever got that full access to that money back."

However, Lopez says receiving congressional recognition of braceros on the Central Coast is what made the labor worthwhile for his grandfather. 

"That piece of paper gave him so much joy because he knew they recognized his sacrifice and leaving his life in Mexico to work, to help us, and to give his family economic opportunity," Lopez said. "He'd smile looking at all these photos, wondering if there was someone he'd worked with in them."

The photos come from Stanford University and are part of a collection from Ernesto Galarza, a former Mexican American activist and lead figure for immigrant farm worker organizations. 

County leaders say their hope is to find them a permanent place in Monterey County to help future generations learn about this piece of history.

"A lot of people had fathers and grandfathers as braceros, so there's a strong connection with that," Supervisor Luis Alejo said. "It's an important, often untold story of pride, hard work, and sacrifice." 

The exhibit will be displayed at the Monterey County Historical Society until a permanent placement is decided.