Blackwell School National Historic Site Becomes 430th National Park
Latino school segregation history officially integrated into the National Park Service
WASHINGTON — Following decades of effort from the community of Marfa, TX and beyond, The Blackwell School National Historic Site was officially transferred to the National Park Service today creating the 430th national park unit administered by the agency. The national historic site was designated through an act of law in October 2022 led by Texas Representative Tony Gonzalez, Senator John Cornyn (TX) and Senator Alex Padilla.
The Blackwell School National Historic Site preserves the last standing schoolhouse where Latino students were segregated from their Black and White peers. The site is the only national park unit to interpret the history of Latino student segregation through, and prior to, the Jim Crow era across southern border communities nationally.
The National Park Service recently closed its public comment period for the development of the site’s Foundation Document, which will establish the site’s core purpose, significance, resources, values, and interpretative opportunities.
In response to the site transfer, Ana Esmeralda González, GreenLatinos Texas Community Advocate issues the following statement:
“GreenLatinos Texas welcomes the transfer of the historic Blackwell School in Marfa, Texas to the National Parks Service. This decision not only preserves a crucial landmark of Latino heritage, but also amplifies our current fight for equitable public education for all communities in our state.
The Blackwell School stands as a testament to the resilience and determination of Latino communities representing a significant chapter in the history of education and civil rights in Texas. Today, as we confront numerous attacks on our education system and our environment, it is vital to remember and honor the legacy of institutions like the Blackwell School.”
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About GreenLatinos
GreenLatinos (NOTE: GreenLatinos is ONE WORD) is an active comunidad of Latino/a/e leaders, emboldened by the power and wisdom of our culture, united to demand equity and dismantle racism, resourced to win our environmental, conservation, and climate justice battles, and driven to secure our political, economic, cultural, and environmental liberation.
