Military, baseball exhibits debut

(Courtesy photos/Rene Torres)

By ARABELLA SERRATA
editor@sbnewspaper.com

The San Benito Public Library recently debuted exhibits highlighting military and baseball history in the Rio Grande Valley. The items on display were loaned to the library by retired historian and NEWS collaborator, Rene Torres.

These exhibits feature images from the 1910s-1940s, and more artifacts from the 1960s. Torres shared that the first baseball game in the Rio Grande Valley was in 1868, between the RGV Baseball Club Brownsville and the Club Union of Matamoros.

Torres added that sports were often found within the military, specifically at forts. “Because of the military, baseball came to the Valley,” said Torres.

The pictures on display at the exhibit are from military baseball teams and installations.

Torres has consistently worked with the library to provide the public with historical memorabilia. “A majority of people don’t know about this history, I’m just trying to educate them… We had all types of sports during that time,” said Torres.

In addition to this exhibit, Torres set up a separate exhibit dedicated to the University of Texas-Pan American, which would eventually become the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.

Augustin Carrera, Library Director said the library wants to share San Benito’s history with the public. “We want to bring awareness to local history,” said Carrera.

The library offers a variety of services for the public, including access to hundreds of books, printing, internet connection, adult computer classes, and more.

The San Benito Public Library is located at 101 West Rose Street, San Benito. For more information, call (956) 361-3860.