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Help Save Polly’s Schoolhouse!

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            We’re proud to support partners whose mission is to champion Tejano heritage and legacy. The Polly Texas Pioneer Association is a non-profit 501.c.3 organization dedicated to preserving the history and heritage of the historic settlement of Polly, Texas in southeast Bandera County. Founded by their namesake, this village is one of the last historical Tejano towns still remaining in Texas. To date, they’ve successfully restored the historic Polly’s Chapel, cleaned up and improved Polly’s Cemetery and placed historical signage around Polly, Texas.

            In May of 2015, they began talking to the Bandera Independent School District about the possibility of transferring Polly’s Schoolhouse; a one-room schoolhouse built in 1892 by Jose Policarpio “Polly” Rodriguez, and its grounds to their association. Their intent is to clean the grounds, restore the schoolhouse and transform it into a community cultural and educational center. At the request of Bandera ISD, they developed a comprehensive package containing plans for restoration, funding and use of the schoolhouse.

            In December, the Bandera Independent School District held a public meeting and presentation to present the request and proposed restoration to the community. The project was well received and by mid-January of 2016, the Bandera ISD Board of Directors voted on the transfer. Needless to say, they’re very excited about the vote of confidence and the opportunity to continue their preservation efforts.

            As such, they’re pleased to announce that Polly’s Schoolhouse has been successfully transferred to their association. “We’re very excited to be able to restore another historical treasure of the Bandera hill country area. Together with family, residents, community businesses and organizations funding this project, we will preserve a very special place in Texas history. “says Rudi R. Rodriguez, Chairman, Schoolhouse Committee. With the transfer complete, they’ve started putting together a Schoolhouse Committee to help raise awareness and funding for the restoration of Polly’s Schoolhouse.

            The Schoolhouse Committee is led by Mr. Rudi Rodriguez, President of Texas Tejano.com, Ms. Flo Hopkins, Chairwoman Emeritus of our organization, Ms. Vivian Cantu, Vice President of EPI Electrical Enclosures & Engineering, Mr. Roy Dugosh, Chairman of the Bandera Historical Commission, Commissioner Jordan Rutherford, Bandera County, Precinct 4 and Dr. Michel Zuch, Dean of Academic Affairs at Lone Star College.

            Once restored, the schoolhouse will serve as a community center, micro museum and will provide a children's outdoor interactive learning center. They will also be registering Polly’s Schoolhouse as an official Texas State Historical landmark. For more information or to become a Schoolhouse Committee Member, please visit pollytexaspioneerassociation.org or call Ms. Vivian Cantu at (210) 673-3584.