U Street Corridor in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Washington Afro-American Newspaper Office Building
1800 11th Street, NW
— African American Heritage Trail, Washington DC —
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 15, 2021
1. Washington Afro-American Newspaper Office Building Marker
The independent weekly Afro-American, one of the most enduring Black newspapers in the country was founded in Baltimore in 1892 by John H. Murphy, Sr. The Washington Afro-American began publication in 1932, and operated from this building from 1937 until the late 1970s. Howard University architect Albert Cassell designed the conversion of this formerly residential building into offices.
Under the motto “A Champion of Civic Welfare and the Square Deal,” the Afro has advocated for full justice for African Americans – and provided both news and entertainment. In 2011 the paper remained in the Murphy family, and continued to publish from offices on Benning Road, NE.
Erected 2011 by Cultural Tourism DC.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights • Communications. 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 1892.
Location. 38° 54.854′ N, 77° 1.636′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in U Street Corridor. Marker is on 11th Street Northwest north of
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Frelinghuysen University / Jesse Lawson and Rosetta C. Lawson (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); A Home Away From Home (about 400 feet away); Like a Village (about 500 feet away); Louise Burrell Miller Residence (about 600 feet away); Daniel A.P. Murray Residence (about 600 feet away); Howard University Sets the Standard (about 600 feet away); Edward “Duke” Ellington Residence (about 600 feet away); "Contraband" to Community (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.
More about this marker.
(Caption:)
Washington Afro-American Newspaper Office Building.
Moorland Spingarn Research Center, Howard University.
Also see . . . John H. Murphy, Sr. - Sergeant, Company G, 30th U.S. Colored Infantry; journalist, and founder of the Afro-American newspapers. (Submitted on May 21, 2012, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland.)
Additional keywords. "The world's freest press - the Negro press."
Photographed By Devry Becker Jones (CC0), May 15, 2021
2. Washington Afro-American Newspaper Office Building Marker
Photographed By Maryland * Delaware * DC Press Association
3. John H. Murphy, Sr.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on May 21, 2012, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 775 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on May 15, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3. submitted on May 21, 2012, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
