Buena Vista in Southeast Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Nichols Avenue Elementary School / Old Birney School Site
2427 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE
— African American Heritage Trail, Washington DC —
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, December 28, 2016
1. Nichols Avenue Elementary School/Old Birney School Site Marker
Inscription.
Nichols Avenue Elementary School, also, Old Birney School Site. 2427 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue, SE. James G. Birney Elementary School (founded 1889) was the city's first public school for African Americans in this area, then known as Hillsdale. Previously, residents organized their own schools. The Old Birney School expanded in 1901 with the construction of this Italian Renaissance building. In 1962 it was renamed for Nichols Avenue, the original name of Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue. After educating thousands of area schoolchildren, the building served as a community center and a library before standing vacant. Community activism saved it from demolition in the 1970s. The remodeled building re-opened in 2005 as Thurgood Marshall Academy Public Charter High School.
James G. Birney Elementary School (founded 1889) was the city's first public school for African Americans in this area, then known as Hillsdale. Previously, residents organized their own schools. The Old Birney School expanded in 1901 with the construction of this Italian Renaissance building. In 1962 it was renamed for Nichols Avenue, the original name of Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue. After educating thousands of area schoolchildren, the building served as a community center and a library before standing vacant. Community activism saved it from demolition in the 1970s. The remodeled building re-opened in 2005 as Thurgood Marshall Academy Public Charter High School.
Erected by Cultural Tourism DC.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education. In addition, it is included in the African American Heritage Trail series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1889.
Location. 38° 51.736′ N, 76° 59.608′ W. Marker is in Southeast Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Buena Vista. Marker is at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue Southeast and Howard Road Southeast, on the right when traveling south on Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue Southeast. Touch for map
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. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2427 Martin Luther King Jr Avenue Southeast, Washington DC 20020, United States of America. Touch for directions.
More about this marker. [Caption:]
Students learn about the ice man in front of the original Birney School, 1899.
By Frances Benjamin Johnston, Library of Congress
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, December 28, 2016
2. Nichols Avenue Elementary School/Old Birney School Site Marker
Library of Congress
3. Students learn about the ice cream man in front of the original Birney School 1899.
"Kennebec Ice horse-drawn wagon parked in front of Birney Public School - school children lined up with teacher behind wagon as man shows them large chunk of ice suspended by tongs, Washington, D.C." by Francis Benjamin Johnson
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, December 28, 2016
4. Thurgood Marshall Academy Public Charter High School
Photographed By Allen C. Browne, December 28, 2016
5. Thurgood Marshall Academy Public Charter High School
College Prep for Grades 9-12
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 29, 2016, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 763 times since then and 72 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on December 29, 2016, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.