Archives West Finding Aid
Table of Contents
Espe Algeria Papers, 1925-1991
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- Algeria, Espe
- Title
- Espe Algeria Papers
- Dates
- 1925-1991 (inclusive)19251991
- Quantity
- 1 linear feet, (1 box)
- Collection Number
- MSS 291
- Summary
- Papers of Espe Algeria, advocate of the Basque community and host of a Basque language radio program for 25 years in Boise, Idaho. Materials date from 1925-1991 and include scripts, photographs, newspaper articles, and awards.
- Repository
-
Boise State University Library, Special Collections and Archives
Special Collections and Archives
1910 University Drive
Boise ID
83725
Telephone: 2084263990
archives@boisestate.edu - Access Restrictions
-
Collection is available for research.
- Languages
- English
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
This collection contains Epse's passport, visa from 1929, bibliography, as well as newspaper articles and awards from her many years of community service. Also included are photos of Espe at her job at Gowen Field, with the sheepherder community, and other members of the Basque Girl's Club. Regarding Espe's radio program, the collection contains the script from her last braodcast and the archival list of music used in the program.
Biographical NoteReturn to Top
Maria Expectatacion Izarra Alegira (Espe) was born in Eruma, Viscaya, Spain in 1906. She immigrated to the United States in 1925. In 1927, she met and married Henry Alegria. Together, they had one daughter, Rose Isabel. Espe was a great supporter for the Basque community in Boise as an active supporter of the Basque Museum and Cultural Center, a member of the Euzkaldunak, and a life long member of the Basque Girl's Club. She was a staunch advocate for Basque sheepherders. She would help sheepherders with translation, arrange legal matters and also advocated to Senator Frank Church to change immigration laws to allow young Basque men to work in Idaho's sheep industry. Most famously, Espe became known as "The Voice of the Basques" through her 25 years as host of a Basque language radio program. This program was a weekly treat for isolated sheepherders throughout the area.
Espe's legacy is also chronicled at the Idaho Historical Musuem, the Basque Cultural Center, as well as at the Basque Music Archives in Filer, Idaho.
Source: Biography, Box 1, Folder 1
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Preferred Citation
[item description], Espe Algeria Papers, Box [number] Folder [number], Boise State University Special Collections and Archives.
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
| Container(s) | Description | Dates | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Box | Folder | ||
| 1 | 1 | Embosser | |
| 1 | 2 | Biography | |
| 1 | 3 | Identification/Immigration Papers | |
| 1 | 4 | Photos of Espe Alegria | |
| 1 | 5 | Photos of Espe Alegria and Sheepherders | |
| 1 | 6 | Photos of Espe and the Basque Girl's Club | |
| 1 | 7 | Guide to Basque Music | 1995 |
| 1 | 8 | The Espe Alegira Collection | 1995 |
| 1 | 9 | Transcript of Espe Alegria's Last Radio Program | |
| 1 | 10 | Newspaper Articles | 1965-1995 |
| 1 | 11 | Pamphlets | |
| 1 | 12 | Awards | 1965-1995 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Basque Americans
- Basques
- Music
- Radio broadcasting
- Sheep industry
Corporate Names
- Basque Museum & Cultural Center (Boise, Idaho)
Form or Genre Terms
- Photographs
Mandy Moncur
2014; updated 2024
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
