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October 2023 by M P
It wasn’t clearly indicated where exactly to start the tour. I understand most likely all the docents are there on their own free time but they seemed super cranky and hard to speak to. One man entered the boarding house while we were asking him if it was where the tour started and he just looked at us and slammed the door on our faces. Then the lady at the entrance of the actual museum was yelling at a man telling him what to do in a very condescending manner; we decided not to waste our money on it because of this. Sorry Basque Village - we will have to admire the structures from the outside until you get some clear signs and some more kind docents! You’d want to do this if you really want the public to appreciate your culture especially you’re struggling to find funds!
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September 2023 by Melissa P
It wasn’t clearly indicated where exactly to start the tour. I understand most likely all the docents are there on their own free time but they seemed super cranky and hard to speak to. One man entered the boarding house while we were asking him if it was where the tour started and he just looked at us and slammed the door on our faces. Then the lady at the entrance of the actual museum was yelling at a man telling him what to do in a very condescending manner; we decided not to waste our money on it because of this. Sorry Basque Village - we will have to admire the structures from the outside until you get some clear signs and some more kind docents! You’d want to do this if you really want the public to appreciate your culture especially you’re struggling to find funds!
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September 2023 by Jeanene Crenshaw
Learned history I had no idea of! Great place to visit!
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March 2023 by Hmmmmm O.
My goal was the Basque Market. I was walking around and went in because I was curious and they were open. They want $7 to tour but I'm not sure what there was to see. I went into the gift shop. I bought a US/Basque flag pin for my hat because I knew I was going to buy things at the market and wanted to support the museum. Got it home. Unwrapped. Big tag says MADE IN CHINA. . I obviously can't review the museum adequately but they should have original art/chatzkees from Spain, not knock offs from China.
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February 2023 by Rachel Czarniecki
Charming center to explain the history of the Basque people and culture in Boise. Before visiting Idaho, I had no idea of their influence, especially with shepherding! The carved trees explanation was very interesting!
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September 2022 by Sergio A.
Through the tireless efforts of many members of and contributors from the Basque communities in Idaho and the Western US, this is a very special place to BEGIN TO LEARN some elements of the worldwide Basque culture. The exhibits have been changed this past summer and the new direction is emphasizing the Idaho Basque experience using video storytelling and some modernized media. It includes many personal stories of community.The Basque Block events and historical preservation are continuing through the commitment of community volunteers from the memberships of the Basque Museum & Cultural Center and the Basque Center Basque Foundation (Euskaldunak).The hours of operation may not fit the desired times of a visitor to Boise so it is strongly advised to check their website at basquemuseum.eus/visit prior to planning your visit. If you are interested in seeing the museum, the 160 year old Cyrus Jacobs-Uberuaga Boarding House and maybe eating some Basque culinary delights, a one hour parking meter payment will not be sufficient. There are three nearby ParkBoi parking structures where the first hour is not charged and any other hours are fairly priced. If you have unruly children or your ability to walk & climb is impaired, you would be best served by connecting to the virtual tour. basquemuseum.eus/see/vir…The beautiful handball court in the 108 year old Anduiza Boarding House (now a commercial building) is not open to the general public but is reserved for Basque handball clubs to use. Using the virtual tour from the Basque Museum website, you can view an actual game being played.If you are curious about the possibility of having roots in the Basque culture, check out this video site youtu.be/ZTYmUW9J6TQ.In addition to the museum and the historical buildings maintained in the area there is Boiseko Ikastol - the only preschool teaching Euskara in the United States! It is open to Basque and non-Basque students, alike. Also, adult Euskara language classes are frequently organized at the Museum. Inside the museum is a very well-stocked gift shop that is very responsive to special orders. Apparel, home items, gifts, souvenirs, Basque txapala (cap), flags, bota bags, music and books are readily available. During a recent visit, the Museum rates are: Adults $5; Seniors (65+) $4; Student $4; Children (6-12) $3 with Children (5 & under) Free. In addition, there are active duty military discounts and current teacher discounts. Frequently, there are Free days in conjunction with the "first Thursday" program of the City of Boise. The paid admisssion is good for entrance to the Uberuaga Boarding House, but between Sept to June it is only open on Saturdays with limited hours. Again, it is best to check the website before going.It is truly sad to read reviews from Yelpers who expend their sick attitudes demeaning the efforts of the volunteers of this valuable community and cultural resource. One review comes from a person who has no other reviews or friends. Experienced Yelpers know this vindictive type. Another sick review comes from a person who disclosed in multiple other 1-star reviews that she is being treated for a serious psychiatric condition in her home state of CA. Perhaps these sour people who come to the Museum expecting to be given a free, individual, tailored tutorial on all-there-is-to-know about the Basque history & culture compacted into the 30 minutes before their parking meter runs out will find happiness in some other aspect of their life. Doubtful, but forever optimistic.
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September 2022 by Issa Maalouf
It is always free to visit the museum and the Cyrus Jacobs uberuaga house on the 1st Thursday of each month. We were there and it was really amazing to explore the cultural museum and learn more about the basque culture. Very friendly staff. Cozy atmosphere inside. A lot of information about basque immigrants; how they come, where they first lived, what do they do... then you can check the guesthouse that was meant to receive newly comers from the basque country. Very beautiful Jacobs family belongings such as the oven, kitchen utensils, clothes, water well, old suitcases, shoes, hats, piano, accordion, guitar and many other items. It was a great experience! It is highly recommended!!!
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September 2022 by Angella Raisian
$5 admission fee includes a visit to the old 1800s Basque boarding house that was fully restored. Loved it!
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September 2022 by JH Booth
Learned some little known American history today. Highly recommend if you find yourself in Boise.
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August 2022 by Yael B.
Small but sweet Museum to give you local stories and history of the immigrant population that makes Boise unique. If you want to learn about the Basque locals and see now they have thrived, it's a nice stop for an hour or so.
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August 2022 by Robyn S.
The only problem we had was the staff. all 9 of us agreed the staff wasn't doing there job. We walked in the museum to see how much it cost and the lady there told use to give her our money before we go through. She said it in a way that sounded not so nice. she could've had good intentions but she had the wrong tone. She didn't really give us lots of information about the basque culture. she made it sound like we should know about it already. After we went to the museum we went into the house. the second we walked in the man walked fastly over to us and asked for our tickets. that's was okay but he came off strong. he started to gather us and told us he had to give us the rules. he told us not to sit or touch anything. you could tell he was watching us closely and followed us in every room we went in even though there were other guest. it could of been because of the 10 year old we had. He followed us and didn't even give us information on that artifact. I would think that since he was following us he would give us a run down on it, but no. overall the place was okay but the staff needs to be more efficient and helpful
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July 2022 by Dee Y.
I found out recently that my family is from a basque background. Naturally, I was ecstatic to hear that there was a museum dedicated to the basque people. However, after reading through introductory basque "history" in this museum - the only knowledge I could gather the basque's common pursuit of shepherding after immigrating to the U.S. In fact, this information was exhaustedly repeated in the text over four times. It seems that the curator of this exhibit hadn't put the slightest effort into research.There is no information on the basque language and how it is unique to any other language in the world. There is no information on the culture of the basque besides their occupation of shepherding. To top it all off - while trying with my best effort to scour through the frivolous introductory paragraphs in search of some hidden gem of useful information, I was combatted vigorously by the staff of the museum speaking at an obnoxiously absurd volume to one another about their employment status amongst a very small room full of patrons. I was very disappointed to find that the majority of the exhibit is of a single artist of basque heritage with paintings of his relatives and friends from the boarding house. I wish it were more clear that this was mostly a personal art exhibit. The rest of the room is a display of old sheep shears, a few rusty cans on a wire that were used to frighten sheep, a sample of sheep wool to feel, and buttons on an old soundboard you can press to hear "sounds that basque people probably heard often" such as a thunderstorm, the wind blowing, and sheep baa-ing. It seems like the people who built this exhibit have no significant connection to the culture of the basque other than superficialities and a few memorabilia. This was truly a waste of time.
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July 2022 by S B.
Though the museum portion was temporarily closed for an exhibit change, Bethany and her family welcomed me into the gift shop and house next door. Bethany took the time to explain the life history of the Basque family that built, resided, then boarded other Basques in the home at the cultural center and answered every question I had. I knew nothing of Basque people until I came to Boise and now I walk away with a much better understanding. The giftshop had her son and husband working there and they were very kind as well. Thank you for this!
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July 2022 by Camille Stephens
Informative and engaging, great immersion and fun activities for kids and teens alike, the space is friendly and easy to make your way through, staff is knowledgeable and personable. the gift shop also has some fascinating items and is interesting to look through in its own right
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July 2022 by Deidre Thurman
A great place to visit with helpful knowledgeable employees! Various different items including books about The Basque heritage, culture, and people.
