PICKARD HIGH SCHOOL GYM PLANNED FOR HISTORICAL DESIGNATION
The old A.R. Pickard High School gymnasium is in the works to be historically designated.
Association stand with Brenham ISD trustees after
they agreed to work with the association to make
the old Pickard High School gymnasium a historic
site. Pictured are (front row, starting second from
left) Shirley Harris-Jackson, Gloria Wills, Natearah
Austin, Dr. Tina Henderson.
On Monday, the Brenham School Board passed a resolution granting Superintendent Clay Gillentine the authority to work with the Pickard High School Reunion Association to negotiate the inclusion of the former gym in the association’s historical site distinction for the home economics building on Kerr Street.
Dr. Tina Henderson, President of the Texas Ten Historical Explorers and a member of the Pickard High School Reunion Association, said this was suggested by the Texas Historical Commission (THC), given the gym’s proximity to the home economics building. The two were built in 1950 as an extension of the high school campus.
Dr. Henderson said Pickard High School was approved to receive an “Undertold Marker” from the THC, which highlights lesser-known stories in Texas history.
Dr. Henderson added that the historical designation opens up the door to apply for and potentially receive building preservation grant funding.
Board members were pleased with the news, with Trustees Kelvin Raven and Tommie Sullivan saying this is great for the community. Trustee Bonnie Brinkmeyer said this is something that needed to be done “for a long time.” Board President Natalie Lange said if the association has any historical information or photos of the gym, the district would like to share them with the public.
I played basketball for Coach Burrell in the class of 1962.
Glad to hear this inspiring news.
This is wonderful news, and much deserving for the legacy of a great African American school with such a rich history that was in our city and the Camp Town community. I did not attend Pickard but had an older brother and many relatives and friends that did and I have heard so many great stories about Pickard’s” mighty hornets”.
I’m so glad that’s a beautiful thing when I was little girl that’s why I played basketball in PE practice Miss Burrell was my PE teacher thank you God bless you all
Roy Benford, class of 1962.