Dover in Kent County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Booker T. Washington School
Photographed By Pete Skillman, March 25, 2024
1. Booker T. Washington School Marker
Inscription.
Booker T. Washington School. . On November 13, 1922, 210 children and 6 teachers marched from two old school buildings located on Slaughter Street and Division Street to a new school for African-American students in Dover. Funding for the building was provided by the Delaware School Auxiliary Association, through the generosity of P. S. duPont. The school was named for Booker T. Washington (1856-1915), a former slave who became the nation’s foremost African-American educator. Originally built for Grades 1-8, this was the state’s largest African-American school at the time of its opening. Grades 9 and 10 were later added. S. Marcellus Blackburn was the school’s first and only principal for forty years. His daily motto was “Lest we forget.” Following integration in 1965, the school became known as West Dover Elementary. The original name was restored in 1998.
On November 13, 1922, 210 children and 6 teachers marched from two old school buildings located on Slaughter Street and Division Street to a new school for African-American students in Dover. Funding for the building was provided by the Delaware School Auxiliary Association, through the generosity of P. S. duPont. The school was named for Booker T. Washington (1856-1915), a former slave who became the nation’s foremost African-American educator. Originally built for Grades 1-8, this was the state’s largest African-American school at the time of its opening. Grades 9 and 10 were later added. S. Marcellus Blackburn was the school’s first and only principal for forty years. His daily motto was “Lest we forget.” Following integration in 1965, the school became known as West Dover Elementary. The original name was restored in 1998.
Erected 2004 by Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number KC-88.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Education. In addition, it is included in the Delaware Public Archives series list. A significant historical month for this entry is November 1873.
Location. 39° 9.552′ N, 75° 32.371′ W. Marker is in Dover, Delaware, in Kent County. Marker is on Forrest Street (Delaware
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Route 8) west of Gibbs Drive, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 901 Forrest Street, Dover DE 19904, United States of America. Touch for directions.
This is a photo of the marker in its previous location, and before it's current coloring.
Photographed By Pete Skillman, March 25, 2024
3. Booker T. Washington School Marker in front of school
Photographed By Bill Pfingsten, December 15, 2010
4. Booker T. Washington School
Credits. This page was last revised on March 25, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 17, 2010, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,158 times since then and 50 times this year. Photos:1. submitted on March 25, 2024, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware. 2. submitted on December 17, 2010, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland. 3. submitted on March 25, 2024, by Pete Skillman of Townsend, Delaware. 4. submitted on December 17, 2010, by Bill Pfingsten of Bel Air, Maryland.