When Victoria Villarreal began her SCA internship at the Blackwell School in Marfa, Texas, she did not imagine having the opportunity to give a personal tour of the schoolhouse to Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland and National Park Service Director Chuck Sams.
“That was something,” Villarreal said with a grin. “Having that space to speak with them and answer their questions was really special. It was great to see how engaged they were, asking questions of me and the staff and really listening to the story we had to tell about Blackwell.”
Secretary Haaland and Director Sams came to Marfa on Sept. 14 to celebrate the start of National Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 – Oct. 15) with the National Park Service (NPS) establishment ceremony of the Blackwell School as a National Historic Site.
The Blackwell School National Historic Site in Marfa, Texas. (Photo Credit: National Park Service.)
Opened in 1909, the Blackwell School was the sole public education institution for the city’s Hispanic students, K-8, until 1965. While considered white people on paper, the Mexican and Mexican American children of Marfa were segregated by prejudice rather than law.
“The Blackwell School ties into the history of Civil Rights in America and amplifies that history in the Southwest,” said David Larson, superintendent of the Blackwell School National Historic Site.
Resources at the school were limited, and rules were strict. Students were forbidden from speaking Spanish at Blackwell and hit with a wooden paddle if they defied teachers.
Despite these hardships, many of Blackwell’s educators demonstrated a commitment to their students’ success, and its pupils excelled academically.
“A lot of the students that attended Blackwell were at the same level as their Anglo peers when they transferred to high school. Their level of education was the same or even better,” Villarreal said. “Despite the lack of resources, there was resilience.”
SCA intern Victoria Villarreal gives a tour of the Blackwell School to National Park Service Director Chuck Sams. (Photo Credit: National Park Service)
Partners at the national and local level came together to give Blackwell its well-earned distinction as a National Historic Site.
“At the local level, the Blackwell School Alliance has been working to preserve the site for the last two decades,” Larson said. “During the (establishment) ceremony, it was recognized by Park Service leadership that this is a rare group of people that stood up to protect this story.”
Villarreal remembers an interview with Blackwell School alum Jessi Silva, who expressed her relief at feeling the burden of a forgotten history lifted off her shoulders.
“For the longest time, she felt hurt about the whole experience,” Villarreal said. “But when she saw all the work that was being done by the Blackwell School Alliance and partners in the NPS, she felt seen, she felt represented. It was just beautiful to hear that.”
In her internship role as a visual information specialist, Villarreal engages the local community and gathers historical materials for the Blackwell School website, creating a user-friendly and accessible digital experience.
One bit of community feedback came directly from Sec. Haaland and Dir. Sams.
Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland contributes to the community engagement prompt on display during her visit to the Blackwell School, Marfa, Texas. (Photo Credit: National Park Service)
“We had a big Post-it note that said, ‘What Does the Blackwell School becoming a National Historic Site mean to you?’” said Villarreal. “It was really special to see Dir. Sams and Sec. Haaland respond to the prompt. We still have it up. I think that’s a really great thing to have their input.”
After completing her first 10-month internship in June, Villarreal renewed for another ten months to see the site reach its official establishment.
“Tori’s done a great job,” Larson said. “We identify her as the first employee of Blackwell School. It’s been fabulous having her.”
