Gardeners of Identity: Basques in the San Francisco Bay Area

Gardeners of Identity chronicles the history of the Basques in the San Francisco Bay Area and their resilient and relentless work in support of Basque culture and language in America, and specifically in the State of California for the last 160 years. Basques played a prominent role in the exploration of the Californian Coast, the establishment and administration of missions and forts, and local governments under both the Hispanic and Mexican administrations. The book examines the ways that Basque communities have evolved and established associations to maintain and preserve their heritage and how they have influenced the larger Californian society.