The Cesar Chavez National Monument was created in 2012 by President Barack Obama. The monument was created to the history of the United States made by César Chávez and the farmworker movement.
On the same day that President Obama created César E. Chávez National Monument, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced the designation of the Nuestra Señora Reina de la La Paz site as a national historic landmark.
César E. Chávez National Monument
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"When the man who feeds the world by toiling in the fields is himself deprived of the basic rights of feeding, sheltering, and caring for his own family, the whole community of man is sick." ~César E. Chávez
Cesar Chavez became the leading figure for the fight for better pay and safer working conditions for agricultural workers starting in the 1960s.
These political efforts led to the formation of a labor union that would eventually become the United Farm Workers of America.
Mr. Chavez also worked to create legislation that gave agricultural workers the right to organize and negotiate for better conditions in the farm fields and pension benefits.
Things to do at César E. Chávez National Monument
Visitor Center
The Visitor Center contains César Chávez's office (which still houses original furnishings and artifacts), César’s office remains as it was when he was active at La Paz from 1970 to 1988.
Park Film
There is a 12-minute video available in the visitor center that talks about why the national monument was built at La Paz and the work that was done on the land.
Migrant Workers House
Don't miss the replica of a Migrant Workers home. This replica gives you an idea of what life was like for farmworkers in California. This home showcases the horrible conditions workers lived in during the 1960s.
Cesar Chavez Office
César’s office remains as it was when he was active at La Paz from 1970 to 1988. The administrative building that housed the office had deteriorated to such a degree that it could not be saved.
Experts from the Smithsonian Institution cataloged each object and its precise location before the building was demolished
The walls were left in place when the building was demolished. Upon completion of the new building, each object was returned to its previous spot and a window installed to allow visitors to view the office and its contents.
You can listen to Cesar Chavez's granddaughter talk about the lessons she learned from her grandfather in both Spanish and English.
Memorial Garden
The Chávez Memorial Garden contains the gravesite of César Chávez and his wife Helen along with their two dogs.
There is a beautiful fountain along with a rose garden with roses named after Mr. Chavez.
Desert Garden
There is a great desert garden with a pathway through it filled with plants native to Arizona where Cesar Chavez grew up.
Junior Ranger Program
The Junior Ranger program can be completed while visiting the visitor center. The activities that need to be completed are based on the age of the participant.
Download the Junior Ranger Booklet before your visit.
Things to know when planning a visit to César E. Chávez National Monument
Park Address: 29700 Woodford-Tehachapi Road, Keene, CA 93531
The monument is part of a property known as Nuestra Señora Reina de la Paz
Directions: The monument is located near the town of Keene, California, on Highway 58. Take exit 138 toward Keene, then turn right on Woodford-Tehachapi Road. César E. Chávez National Monument will be on your left.
Park Phone: (661) 823-6134
Park Hours: Open daily from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Closed on Easter Sunday, Thanksgiving Day and the Friday after, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and New Year's Eve and New Year's Day
Entrance Fee: $0.00, There is no fee to visit the park
Free WiFi is offered at the park's visitor center by the National Chavez Center.
Cellular access is available through Verizon and AT&T.
Pets are permitted on paved surfaces, including footpaths, parking lots, and roads.
For more information visit:
Cesar Chavez Foundation
UFW Foundation
United Farm Workers
Farm Worker Movement Documentation Project
National Park Sites near César E. Chávez National Monument
Santa Monica National Recreation Area
Check out all of the California National Parks and neighboring Arizona National Parks and Nevada National Parks
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