93-Year-Old Idaho Man Preserves Life Story Through Intricate Wood Carvings

From the Azores to Idaho, Augusto's carvings keep his immigrant story alive and shape memories for future generations.

Apr. 14, 2026 at 1:20am

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An abstract, soft-focus image showing the blurred hands of an elderly man carefully carving a detailed wooden figure, conveying the thoughtful preservation of personal history.At 93, Augusto's intricate wood carvings preserve a lifetime of memories and immigrant experiences for his family.Boise Today

At 93 years old, Antonio Augusto is carefully shaping wood into detailed scenes from his past, capturing memories from his life that has taken him across continents. Augusto, who immigrated to the U.S. from the Azores and Angola, began carving during the pandemic as a way to preserve his story. Each piece reflects a chapter of his journey, from his childhood to the life he built for his family. For Augusto's family, the carvings are more than keepsakes - they are a bridge between generations, allowing them to visualize and connect with his experiences.

Why it matters

Augusto's story highlights the resilience and determination of immigrants who build new lives in unfamiliar places. His wood carvings serve as a tangible way to preserve his family's history and share it with future generations, ensuring his legacy lives on.

The details

Augusto grew up in the Azores before immigrating to Angola in 1956, where he built a successful dairy farm. In 1975, when war broke out, he immigrated to California and later settled in Idaho, where he started another dairy farm before retiring in Boise. During the pandemic, Augusto began carving detailed scenes from his past, starting with the home and dairy he built in Angola. For his family, the carvings have become a way to visualize the stories they've heard about his life and connect with his experiences.

  • Augusto immigrated to Angola in 1956.
  • In 1975, Augusto immigrated to California when war broke out in Angola.
  • Augusto became a U.S. citizen in 1985.
  • Augusto started dairy farming in Idaho in the early 2000s before retiring in Boise.
  • Augusto began carving his life story in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The players

Antonio Augusto

A 93-year-old man from the Azores who has preserved his life story through intricate wood carvings.

Charlene Borba

Augusto's granddaughter, who has witnessed the impact of his carvings on preserving the family's history.

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What they’re saying

“House where I was born, raised, the church where I was baptized, and much more.”

— Antonio Augusto

“He had 1,000 acres, 500 cows, and then in 1975 when the war did break out, he immigrated to California.”

— Charlene Borba, Augusto's granddaughter

“I came here with nothing… it was very difficult. I came to Idaho and my life changed completely.”

— Antonio Augusto

“To actually visualize what that looked like, and for him to remember all the details...it's been really special.”

— Charlene Borba, Augusto's granddaughter

“When we tell our children where we came from, we now have something to show them. This is just another beautiful story of immigrants thriving, following their dreams and making it happen.”

— Charlene Borba, Augusto's granddaughter

What’s next

Augusto plans to continue carving more scenes from his life, preserving his memories and family history for future generations.

The takeaway

Augusto's wood carvings serve as a powerful testament to the resilience and determination of immigrants, showcasing how they can build new lives and leave lasting legacies for their families. His story highlights the importance of preserving personal histories and passing them down through creative means.