Museum to unveil monument

(San Benito News/Ray Quiroga)

By ARABELLA SERRATA
editor@sbnewspaper.com

The San Benito Callandret Black History Museum is preparing to unveil its new “Black Pioneers of San Benito” monument on Saturday, Feb. 1.

According to Sandra Tumberlinson, co-founder and board member of the San Benito Historical Society, the monument began development four years ago, along with renovations to the “colored school,” as it was historically referred to, that would become the museum. Tumberlinson and the museum team wanted to commemorate the black people who lived in San Benito, a population often forgotten for their historical impact on the area, she said.

This was triggered by Tumberlinson’s experience with construction workers who renovated the school. According to Tumberlinson, many workers asked what the building was and then be in disbelief when they found out. Most didn’t even know San Benito historically had a black population.

“We had over 500 black people living in San Benito at one point,” said Tumberlinson. “The idea occurred to me, that people don’t realize their local history. People don’t remember their local history, and when you don’t remember your history, you tend to overlook it, and possibly make the same mistakes.”

According to Tumberlinson, San Benito had the largest black population in the Valley in the 1930s-1950s.
“San Benito is a unique town. We are not only the home of Freddy Fender (Country music star), the home of Bobby Marrow (Olympic Gold Medalist), we are also home to the largest black population in south Texas…It’s something the city can be proud of. It’s part of the culture in San Benito.”

The monument will have over 500 names of black people who lived in San Benito.

“Their names will be etched into this monument, and they’ll never be forgotten again,” said Tumberlinson.
To kick off the reveal, the museum will host Sheldon Branch III, a successful fourth-generation San Benito native. The event will also have food trucks and other amenities. The main unveiling will be from 11 a.m.- 3 p.m.

The Callandret Black History Museum was formed from a partnership between the San Benito Historical Society and the San Benito Consolidated Independent School District.