The Blackwell School Alliance

08/04/2025

📘 On July 19, the National Parks Conservation Association and the Blackwell School Alliance co-hosted the launch of the Blackwell Blueprint, a community-driven strategic vision for Blackwell School NHS. ✨

The publication provides a vision for future sustainable development that will strengthen the connection between the site, the surrounding neighborhood, and the broader public lands ecosystem in Far West Texas and beyond. More information and a copy of the Blueprint at the link 🔗

Collaborative Ideas Workshop for Blackwell School National Historic Site

03/11/2025

Visit Blackwell School NHS this Spring Break! Park staff will be onsite for extended hours, Wednesday - Sunday 10am - 4pm. ¡Bienvenidos!

02/24/2025

ICYMI: The Blackwell School NHS's ribbon cutting ceremony was recently featured on Sunday Today with Willie Geist. We're grateful for NBC new's interest in our story and appreciate their efforts to amplify this story more broadly.

The Blackwell School, a small schoolhouse in West Texas that closed in 1965, has officially become a national historic site after a group of alumni fought for it to be recognized as a marker of America’s history and a place to honor Latino culture. NBC’s Priscilla Thompson reports in this week.....

09/16/2024

On behalf of the Blackwell School Alliance Board of Directors, THANK YOU to everyone who made this weekend so special. Alumni, descendants, community members, elected officials, musicians, caterers, and all else who attended — your presence and contributions were felt deeply.

We’re especially grateful to for Secretary Deb Haaland and NPS Director Chuck Sams who joined us to commemorate and honor this special place.

After years of tireless grassroots work, this chapter of Blackwell’s journey is closed. We now look forward to working our federal counterparts and other partners to continue uplifting these experiences in service of telling a more complete account of American history.

There aren’t enough words to express the immense joy we feel for the collective effort that led to this historic day. Thank you so much — gracias, gracias, gracias.

Much love to all — y Viva Blackwell! 🎉

Photos by Sarah M. Vasquez

09/12/2024

Break out your dancing shoes and join us for a baile after the Blackwell School NHS ribbon cutting! ✨ THIS SATURDAY, Sept. 14, 8pm-Midnight at the USO Building, 302 S Highland in Marfa — featuring The Tip band from El Paso! 🪩 $10 suggested donation, BYOB. Spread the word and see you there! 🌌

Uplifting Undertold Stories, Completing American History
Blackwell School | 501 S Abbot, Marfa, TX

09/06/2024

Join us on Saturday, September 14 to celebrate one of America's newest national historic sites! 🏞️

The Blackwell School National Historic Site Ribbon Cutting Ceremony takes place from 10am-4pm at Blackwell ✂️ Then, head to the USO Building for a Community Dance featuring The Tip band from El Paso 🪩 8pm - Midnight, $10/person suggested donation at the door, BYOB. See you there! 🙌🏽

Join the Blackwell School Alliance, National Park Foundation, National Parks Conservation Association, and the National Park Service as well celebrate the Blackwell School National Historic Site Ribbon Cutting Ceremony!

09/05/2024

Mark your calendar for the Blackwell School NHS Ribbon Cutting Celebration! The event takes place Saturday, September 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Blackwell. Don't miss this day full of food, activities, and special visitors from the National Park Service, the Department of the Interior, and more! Find additional information on our website at www.theblackwellschool.org.

07/23/2024

Established 2024.

07/17/2024

Established 2024 🎉 Today, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland signed the Blackwell School National Historic Site establishment memo, formally ushering in the site as our nation's newest national park. We are so incredibly grateful to finally achieve this milestone, and we look forward to sharing details for a celebration very soon.

Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland today formally established Blackwell School National Historic Site in Texas as the nation’s newest national park.

06/24/2024

National Park Service 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 in-person meetings will be held at the USO on Tuesday, June 26 from 5:30-7:30pm and Wednesday, June 26 from 11:30am-1:30pm. This is a great opportunity for the community to get engaged with the Park Service. Please join us!

04/05/2024

The Blackwell School Alliance is hiring an Alliance Coordinator. The position is part-time and based on-site at the Blackwell School. For more information and to apply, visit www.theblackwellschool.org/jobs — applications are due by April 19 at 5 p.m.

Help us tell our story. Become a volunteer at the Blackwell School today.

12/24/2023

We will be closed today, tomorrow, and next Saturday-Monday to give our team time to be with family and friends. We look forward to seeing you in 2024!