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The desert garden at César E. Chávez National Monument features plants that grew at his birthplace in Yuma, Arizona.

NPS

César E. Chávez National Monument: A Place of Reflection and Progress

Located in the small town of Keene, about 30 miles southeast of Bakersfield via Highway 58, the César E. Chávez National Monument is a place where history and activism come together. The monument is part of Nuestra Señora Reina de la Paz, the home and workplace of the Chávez family and farmworker-movement organizations. This site played a pivotal role in the farm labor movement and continues to honor Chávez’s legacy.

Visitor Experience

• Visitor Center: Open to the public, the center provides insights into Chávez’s life and the farmworker movement. The César Chávez Foundation operates a bookstore within the center, offering books and other items related to Chávez and his cause. These items are also available online through the foundation’s store.

• Memorial and Desert Gardens: Visitors can pay their respects at the Memorial Garden, where Chávez is buried, and take a peaceful walk through the nearby Desert Garden. Both are located within La Paz.

Respect for the Site

While the visitor center and gardens are open to the public, other areas of La Paz remain closed, as they continue to serve as a home and workplace for Chávez’s cause. Visitors are asked to respect the privacy of the residents and organizations that still work from the site.

A Work in Progress

As a newly established national monument, this site is still evolving. New exhibits are in development, and in the years to come, more visitor and educational programs will be introduced. For those unable to visit in person, a virtual tour offers an online exploration of the monument.