Pleasant Plains in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Founders Library and Moorland-Spingarn Research Center

500 Howard Place, NW, Howard University Campus

— African American Heritage Trail, Washington DC —

Founders Library and Moorland-Spingarn Research Center Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 20, 2018

1. Founders Library and Moorland-Spingarn Research Center Marker

Inscription. Founders Library houses wide-ranging collections, the university's museum, and the Moorland-Spingarn Research Center, one of the world's largest repositories dedicated to the culture and history of people of African descent. Dedicated in 1939, the library was designed by university architect Albert I. Cassell (1895-1969). It is one of nine key buildings Cassell planned in 1930, along with the hilltop quadrangle. From 1866 to 1936, this site was occupied by the old Main Building, which for much of its history housed all of the university's operations. Founders Library succeeded the Carnegie Library, built in 1910 on the hilltop and now used for university offices.

Erected by Cultural Tourism DC.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Architecture • Education. In addition, it is included in the African American Heritage Trail, and the Historically Black Colleges and Universities series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1939.

Location. 38° 55.35′ N, 77° 1.179′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Pleasant Plains. Marker is on Howard Place Northwest east of 6th Street Northwest, on the right when traveling east

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. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 500 Howard Place Northwest, Washington DC 20059, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. (within shouting distance of this marker); Miner Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Day of Honor 2000 (within shouting distance of this marker); Rankin Chapel (within shouting distance of this marker); Fortitude (within shouting distance of this marker); Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. (about 300 feet away); Phi Beta Sigma (about 300 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.

More about this marker.
[Caption from photo:]
Studying at Founders Library
Howard University Archives

Additional keywords. HBCU

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 20, 2018

2. Founders Library and Moorland-Spingarn Research Center Marker

Founders Libarary as seen from the south image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 20, 2018

3. Founders Libarary as seen from the south

Doorway to the Founders Library image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 20, 2018

4. Doorway to the Founders Library

Cornerstone of Founders Library image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 20, 2018

5. Cornerstone of Founders Library

[Built] AD 1937

Relief on the south side of the library image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 20, 2018

6. Relief on the south side of the library

Books are voices
from past ages
Records of the present
Heralds of the future
Torches to the
unenlightened
Common bond of
cultured men
Trusted friends
Developing the mind
Restoring the spirit
Enter thou into
this company
and seek truth

Sign in entrance of the library image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 20, 2018

7. Sign in entrance of the library

In Memory of
The Founders

Who in the year 1867 incorporated in the District of Columbia a university for the education of youth in the liberal arts and sciences and named it in honor of
General Oliver Otis Howard

Hiram Barber
W.F. Bascom
C.B. Boynton
H.A. Brewster
B.C. Cook
E.M. Cushman
W.G. Finney
C.H. Howard
O.O. Howard
J.B. Hutchinson
J.B. Johnson
S.L. Loomis
B.F. Morris
D.B. Nichols
S.C. Pomeroy
E.W. Robinson
R.H. Stephens

Dedicated
MCMXXXVIII

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 21, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 320 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on April 21, 2018, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.