Nature, Landscapes, Farms and Gardens through Two Late 19th Century Women’s Eyes

“Walnut Creek Farm, about 1890” by Paul Bancroft Sr.

The Ruth Bancroft Garden, in Walnut Creek, and CGLHS are partnering to present an evening with the author of Writing Themselves into History: Emily and Matilda Bancroft in Journals and Letters. 

Kim Bancroft will address the ways in which these late 19th century women related to the changing landscapes around them, from enjoying nature in then rural Alameda, Oakland, and far beyond, to creating gardens out of sand dunes in San Francisco, to the efforts of gold diggers and farmers adapting landscapes to their own needs. The talk will feature the creation of the Bancrofts' Walnut Creek farm in the 1880s, which became the Ruth Bancroft Garden a century later.

A one-hour presentation will be followed by light refreshments and an after-hours stroll through the Ruth Bancroft Garden. Copies of Kim's new book will be available for purchase. 

Members of the Ruth Bancroft Garden will receive a code from their membership newsletter to use for their discount. Members of the Ruth Bancroft Garden, as well as members of CGLHS, may purchase one guest membership at the guest membership price.  

The Ruth Bancroft Garden is located at 1552 Bancroft Road in Walnut Creek. If possible, please carpool.  

Link to the Ruth Bancroft Garden

About our speaker

Kim Bancroft is the great-great-granddaughter of Hubert Howe Bancroft, the founder of The Bancroft Library at UC Berkeley, and his wife Matilda Bancroft. A long time teacher turned editor and writer, Kim has written several memoirs. Her new book Writing Themselves into History: Emily and Matilda Bancroft in Journals and Letters came about from having edited H.H. Bancroft’s 1890 autobiography Literary Industries, where she learned about these female ancestors for the first time. After discovering their archives and delving into their worlds, Kim was inspired to write this book.  

Link to Kim Bancroft's website