First of its kind book on the Portuguese of Kings County released
Hanford, CA – A comprehensive history of one of the central San Joaquin Valley’s most influential communities is the focus of a new book. Retalhos: A Portuguese History of Kings County draws heavily on the stories and images featured in a highly successful year-long exhibition hosted by the Carnegie Museum of Kings County in Hanford.
Kathi Mendes Gulley said so much material was collected during the Carnegie exhibition’s three installments, it would have been a missed opportunity to not compile everything into a book. She estimates she devoted at least 30 hours a week between January and September to putting together the manuscript, which includes additional research not included in the exhibition.
“It is truly a comprehensive history of the Portuguese in the greater Kings County area,” said Mendes Gulley, who curated the Carnegie exhibition. “Another reference like this one doesn't exist, and we barely scratched the surface of the subject matter.”
The book features narratives and images focusing on life in Portugal and the Azores, the circumstances and events that triggered immigration to America, and the early experiences of Portuguese immigrants in the Central Valley. The role of the Portuguese hails and fraternal organizations, Portuguese language media, and the Roman Catholic Church and religious festivals are also highlighted.
Mendes Gulley said more than 200 Portuguese surnames are mentioned in the book underscoring the vast contributions Portuguese immigrants and their descendants have made in fields as varied as politics, education, the arts, industry and especially agriculture.
“Anyone who is interested in local history needs to own a copy of this book,” said Hanford-based historian Michael Semas, who co-curated the Carnegie exhibition with Mendes Gulley and contributed many of the original images in the book.
Mendes Gulley said that while the Portuguese American experience is the focus, the book will appeal to “anyone interested in the history of Kings County, agriculture and the dairy industry, the establishment of local churches, and stories about heroes from World War I, World War II, and the conflicts in Korea and Vietnam.”
Mendes Gulley is donating all proceeds from the sale of the book to the Carnegie Museum of Kings County. Jack Schwartz, museum board president, said the proceeds will go directly to funding capital improvement projects to restore the historic 1905 Carnegie Library building which houses the museum.
Retalhos: A Portuguese History of Kings County is available to purchase now through Amazon for $50 and will be available at the museum soon.