U Street Corridor in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Scurlock Studio Site

900 U Street, NW

— African American Heritage Trail, Washington DC —

Scurlock Studio Site Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, September 23, 2017

1. Scurlock Studio Site Marker

Inscription. Addison Scurlock (1883-1964) was the photographer of black Washington, specializing in dignified portraiture. In 1911 he opened a studio at 900 U Street (just west of the building of that address erected in 1999). The Scurlock Studio photographed most local and national leaders of the day, and weddings, school groups, social clubs, and businesses. It made portraits for Washingtonians of all social classes, and served as Howard University's official photographer. Scurlock's sons Robert and George joined the business in the 1930s, adding photojournalism to its services. In 1948 they opened the Capital School of Photography, training dozens of professional photographers. The studio closed in 1994.

Erected by Cultural Tourism DC.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Arts, Letters, Music • Industry & Commerce. 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 1911.

Location. 38° 55.013′ N, 77° 1.448′ W. Marker is in Northwest Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in U Street Corridor. It is at the intersection of U Street Northwest

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and 9th Street Northwest, on the right when traveling east on U Street Northwest. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 900 U Street Northwest, Washington DC 20001, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American Northeast,

in the Upper South,

in the Mid-Atlantic,

in the Tidewater,

and in the Chesapeake Bay Region.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: A different marker also named Chris Pyrate + The Shay (about 400 feet away); Men of Color, To Arms! (about 500 feet away); Washington Conservatory of Music and School of Expression / Harriet Gibbs-Marshall / Mary P. Burrill (about 500 feet away); African American Civil War Memorial (about 500 feet away); a different marker also named African American Civil War Memorial (about 600 feet away); Most Worshipful Prince Hall Grand Lodge of the District of Columbia (about 600 feet away); Evans-Tibbs House (about 700 feet away); Griffith Stadium Site (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Northwest Washington.

Other markers no longer nearby. Chris Pyrate + The Shay (was about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been confirmed missing); Civil War Camp to Victorian Neighborhood (was about 500 feet away but has been confirmed missing); Howard University Sets the Standard (was about 700 feet away but has been confirmed missing); Griffith Stadium (was about 700 feet away but has been confirmed missing).

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 14, 2020

2. Scurlock Studio Site Marker

Scurlock Studio Site Marker (previous marker location) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, September 23, 2017

3. Scurlock Studio Site Marker (previous marker location)

At Nellie's Sports Bar

Addison Scurlock in his studio image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Allen C. Browne, September 23, 2017

4. Addison Scurlock in his studio

Close-up of photo on marker

Mural at the previous marker location image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 14, 2020

5. Mural at the previous marker location

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 24, 2017, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. This page has been viewed 784 times since then and 71 times this year. Last updated on October 23, 2017, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. Photos: 1. submitted on September 24, 2017, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 2. submitted on February 14, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. 3, 4. submitted on September 24, 2017, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. 5. submitted on February 14, 2020, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.