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Contact: David Larson
Marfa, TX – The National Park Service (NPS) is preparing a foundation document to guide future planning and management of Blackwell School National Historic Site and is seeking public comment on its development. The public engagement period will take place from May 28 to July 12, 2024, and will include opportunities to submit written comments and participate in public meetings. All interested members of the public are invited to participate in this effort.
On October 17, 2022, President Joseph Biden signed the Blackwell School National Historic Site Act authorizing the establishment of the Blackwell School National Historic Site in Marfa, Texas. Blackwell School is the sole surviving building directly associated with the segregated education of students of Mexican descent in Marfa, Texas. The school stands as a tangible reminder of the racist “separate but equal” doctrine that dominated social and education institutions during the first half of the 20th century and as a representation of the persistence of Mexican and Mexican American history, culture, identity, and resistance within Anglo-dominated systems.
Foundation documents provide underlying guidance for future planning and management decisions by identifying a national park's core purpose and significance; its most important resources and values; and the key interpretive themes or concepts that tell its unique story. Foundation documents also identify important issues to be addressed in future planning and data collection efforts.
“We are pleased to offer this opportunity for the public to provide input on the future of Blackwell,” said Superintendent David Larson. “This public engagement period is an important step to get stakeholder, partner, and community feedback as we articulate what is most historically and culturally significant about Blackwell School National Historic Site.”
The park service will host two in-person public meetings in Marfa during the civic engagement period. During the meetings, the park and planning team will present background information on Blackwell School and the foundation document process, followed by opportunities for public to ask questions and share thoughts and ideas in an open house setting.
Meetings will be held at the Marfa Visitor Center/USO Building on June 25 at 5:30 pm and June 26 at 11:00 am. More information on the meetings can be found on the project website by clicking on ‘Meeting Notices’ on the left-hand menu: https://parkplanning.nps.gov/BLSC_FD. The meeting presentations will be identical and interested parties are encouraged to attend the meeting that is most convenient.
Written comments can also be submitted online on the project website (https://parkplanning.nps.gov/BLSC_FD) under ‘Open for Comment’ (preferred), or postmarked by July 25 and mailed to the address below.
National Park Service
Denver Service Center
Attn: Blackwell Foundation Document / Charles Lawson
12795 West Alameda Pkwy Denver, CO 80228
Foundation documents are not intended to provide specific recommendations for how a park will be managed, but instead inform future decision making by documenting what is most important about a park, and what is needed to protect and preserve its resources. Foundation documents are a required first step before comprehensive management and development planning.
More information about Blackwell School National Historic Site and its transition to NPS management can be found on the park website: nps.gov/blsc
Last updated: June 21, 2024