Smyrna in Kent County, Delaware — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Thomas D. Clayton School
Photographed By Don Morfe, October 13, 2019
1. Thomas D. Clayton School Marker
Inscription.
Thomas D. Clayton School. . In 1919, a new era for education in Delaware was initiated when a statewide effort to replace old and outdated facilities was undertaken. In 1922, the new Smyrna Colored School opened its doors for African-Americans and other persons of color residing in Central Delaware. The school was attended by grades one through eight. Funding for the building was provided by the Delaware School Auxiliary Association and through the generosity of Pierre Samuel duPont. In 1946 the building was named to honor Smyrna native Dr. Thomas D. Clayton (1905-1995), an African-American physician who attended local schools and later practiced medicine in Pennsylvania. In 1965, the State Board of Education ordered the desegregation of Delaware schools. Students and faculty members became a part of the state's integrated public school system. Although renovations have altered its appearance, significant elements of the old school still remain. In February 2006, the building was formally renamed the Thomas D. Clayton Education Facility.
In 1919, a new era for education in Delaware was initiated when a statewide effort to replace old and outdated facilities was undertaken. In 1922, the new Smyrna Colored School opened its doors for African-Americans and other persons of color residing in Central Delaware. The school was attended by grades one through eight. Funding for the building was provided by the Delaware School Auxiliary Association and through the generosity of Pierre Samuel duPont. In 1946 the building was named to honor Smyrna native Dr. Thomas D. Clayton (1905-1995), an African-American physician who attended local schools and later practiced medicine in Pennsylvania. In 1965, the State Board of Education ordered the desegregation of Delaware schools. Students and faculty members became a part of the state's integrated public school system. Although renovations have altered its appearance, significant elements of the old school still remain. In February 2006, the building was formally renamed the Thomas D. Clayton Education Facility.
Erected 2007 by Delaware Public Archives. (Marker Number KC-103.)
39° 18.054′ N, 75° 36.072′ W. Marker is in Smyrna, Delaware, in Kent County. Marker is on Monrovia Avenue. The marker is mounted on the wall of the school near the north entrance. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 80 Monrovia Avenue, Smyrna DE 19977, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 19, 2019. It was originally submitted on October 19, 2019, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 301 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on October 19, 2019, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
