Mount Vernon Square in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Central Public Library

African American Heritage Trail, Washington, DC

— Mount Vernon Square —

Central Public Library Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Roger Dean Meyer, September 18, 2008

1. Central Public Library Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

This majestic building was opened in 1903 as the Central Public Library, popularly known as the Carnegie Library because Andrew Carnegie donated funds to build it. From the start Central was open to all. Mary Church Terrell and historian John Cromwell spoke here regularly, and materials on African American history and culture were especially useful to teachers preparing for “Negro History Week” (now Black History Month). In 1972 the library moved to Ninth and G Streets, NW, and was renamed to honor the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. This building became part of the University of the District of Columbia, and today houses the Historical Society of the District of Columbia.

Erected by Cultural Tourism DC.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Charity & Public Work • Education • Women. In addition, it is included in the African American Heritage Trail, the Carnegie Libraries, the Historically Black Colleges and Universities, and the Mary Church Terrell series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1903.

Location.

Central Public Library Marker on rear entrance to Historical Society of Washington Museum image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Roger Dean Meyer, September 17, 2008

2. Central Public Library Marker on rear entrance to Historical Society of Washington Museum

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38° 54.169′ N, 77° 1.379′ W. Marker is in Mount Vernon Square in Washington, District of Columbia. Marker is on K Street Northwest east of 9th Street Northwest, on the right when traveling east. Located in front of the steps leading to the rear entrance to the DC Historical Society Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 801 K Street Northwest, Washington DC 20001, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. For the Working People (within shouting distance of this marker); Words and Deeds (within shouting distance of this marker); Roots of Saint Sophia Greek Orthodox Cathedral / Remembering "the Village" (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Place to Shop (about 600 feet away); Power Brokers (approx. 0.2 miles away); Blanche K. Bruce House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Friendship Archway (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Northern Baptist Convention (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mount Vernon Square.

Also see . . . Carnegie Library. (Submitted on September 18, 2008, by Roger Dean Meyer of Yankton, South Dakota.)

Additional keywords. UDC, HBCUs

Historical Society of Washington, D.C. Building with Hand Sculpture in the foreground image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Roger Dean Meyer, September 16, 2008

3. Historical Society of Washington, D.C. Building with Hand Sculpture in the foreground

Central Public Library now the Historical Society of Washington, D. C. Home image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Roger Dean Meyer, September 16, 2008

4. Central Public Library now the Historical Society of Washington, D. C. Home

Central Public Library, Children’s Room, 1946 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Roger Dean Meyer, September 18, 2008

5. Central Public Library, Children’s Room, 1946

Credits. This page was last revised on November 23, 2019. It was originally submitted on September 18, 2008, by Roger Dean Meyer of Yankton, South Dakota. This page has been viewed 1,794 times since then and 21 times this year. Last updated on May 10, 2009, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 18, 2008, by Roger Dean Meyer of Yankton, South Dakota. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.